Compressed Air in the Pet Food Industry
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the pet food industry. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat and contain no harmful substances. Compressed air used in the manufacturing process of pet food should be considered a Critical Factor as it can have a direct affect on the Commercial Sterility of the final product. Assuring pet food safety and quality is essential for the viability of any pet food manufacturer.
Compressed Air used in the pet food industry is just as important as it is in the human food or pharmaceutical industries. We wouldn't want to unknowingly subject our pets to anything harmful. Compressed Air can easily become contaminated if not monitored, properly maintained and the quality tested. Click this link to learn more about Compressor Contamination Sources.
Contamination in compressed air like particles, water or oil can have devastating results on a final product, potentially leading to recalls, down manufacturing time or worse. Food and pharmaceutical manufacturers alike refer to an industry standard for compressed air that is known as ISO 8573. ISO 8573 is an excellent reference for the pet food manufacturer and its suppliers. There is a real need for manufacturers to protect its consumers' pets from contaminated food by identifying compressed air as a Critical Factor.
ISO 8573 identifies the three primary areas of potential contamination in compressed air - Particles, Water, and Oil. In the human food industry, compressed air coming in Direct Contact with food needs to meet ISO 8573-1:2001 Purity Class 2:2:1; Indirect Contact needs to meet 2:4:1. See Table below for limits.
Purity |
PARTICLES |
WATER |
OIL |
|||
By Particle Size |
Vapor |
Aerosol & Vapor |
||||
0.1 - 0.5 micron |
0.5 - 1 micron |
1 - 5 micron |
°C |
°F |
mg/m3 |
|
2:2:1 |
100,000 |
1,000 |
10 |
< -40 |
< -40 |
< 0.01 |
2:4:1 |
100,000 |
1,000 |
10 |
< +3 |
< +37 |
< 0.01 |
Note: BCAS expects to finish its review in 2012 to determine if Purity Limits will be changed to match current ISO 8573-1:2010 version.
Compressed air quality should be tested and verified and additional testing is warranted whenever maintenance work or any activity that may affect the air quality is performed on the compressed air system. It is suggested that a representative selection of the air outlets shall be tested to confirm that the compressed air meets the relevant Purity Classes noted in the Table above.
A periodic air test program can provide critical information to monitor air quality and help prevent contamination of the pet food supply. Due to the critical nature of compressed air used in the pet food manufacturing process, qualified personnel should be employed to properly maintain, service, and test the compressed air system.
We offer baseline testing when you are unsure what Purity Classes your air system can meet, any given Purity Classes you select, or you can provide your own custom specifications. Other specifications that are available include CGA, USP, NFPA, ANSI, and others.
Trace Analytics is an A2LA accredited laboratory established in 1989. We do one thing: test compressed air! We have a great team of experts ready to answer your questions and help you get started with your air quality assurance program.
To receive more information about process air and pure gas testing for the pet food industry, ISO 8573-1 and our baseline testing with AirCheck Kit™ K8573, Contact Us by email or phone 1-800-247-1024 x3.
Process Air Industries We Serve:
Electronics
Food Packaging
Medical Device
Pharmaceutical
SQF Air Purity
Videos on Air Testing with AirCheck Kit™ K8573
