A hose or hose connector with food industry approval may come into contact with raw and semi-finished food products, as well as finished foodstuffs, necessitating their compliance with multiple requirements. Read on to discover the specific standards and regulations food industry hoses must meet.
International Regulations for Safety
The inner layer of these types of hoses is typically high-quality and clean natural or synthetic rubber or plastic. In any case, this layer and the entire assembled hose must comply with the food industry regulations of the European Union and the FDA. These are contained in the regulations 1935/04/EC and 10/11/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as the regulations of the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) 21 CFR 177.2600, and in summary, they formulate regulations on the following topics:
- approved list of substances that come into contact with food;
- additives of rubber and plastic devices and fittings in contact with food, their permitted content and
- migration values, the amount of components leaking from the pipe material into the transported food;
- temperature limits that both the raw materials and the finished product must comply with;
- manufacturing standards for rubber and plastic products must be followed;
- appropriate marking, such as a standard symbol (cup and fork).
What requirements must food industry hoses meet?
A fundamental expectation of these hoses is that their materials must be suitably inert to ensure that their components do not adversely affect either the consumer’s health or the quality and taste of the food. However, not every food industry hose is suitable for transporting all types of food. Therefore, the hose should only be used in accordance with the appropriate certification and the manufacturer’s recommendations. If a reaction occurs between the transported substance and the incorrectly selected hose material, the food can become contaminated.
Another crucial consideration is the unobstructed transportation of the product through the hose. A smooth, non-porous inner layer facilitates cleaning and prevents the deposition of media and other contaminants within the hose.
PTFE hoses are ideal for food industry purposes, as these possess both oil and water-repellent properties.
What other US standards are known?
Two other American standards also regulate food industry hoses, the 3-A Sanitary Standard and the phthalate and BPA free regulation.
The former serves the purpose of ensuring the hygienic and clean design of the devices, thus preventing the contamination of food and beverages during processing – especially with regard to the production of dairy products. This covers, for example, the way the equipment is welded, the design of the surface, the nature and quality of the seals, the cleanability and the drainability.
The phthalates and Bisphenol A exclusion standard aims to eliminate health risk factors caused by materials used in the production of rubber and plastic products, such as:
- adverse effects on the health of children and adults (hormonal disorders, development of developmental problems)
- Leaching of BPA into food
- long-term health risk
How to choose a food industry hose?
If the material of the hose is suitable for the intended food product, the next factor to consider is the cleaning method applied at the point of use, such as CIP (Cleaning In Place) or SIP (Sterilization In Place). It’s also essential to verify that the chemical resistance of the hose’s inner layer is compatible with the cleaning agent used for the process in question.
The careful selection and assembly of fittings and connectors are equally crucial for ensuring the hygiene of the installation. Generally speaking, for food industry hoses, AISI 316 stainless steel connectors are most commonly used, which have a fine finish, providing a non-abrasive interior surface. The connectors are secured with threaded clamps, screw clamps, or crimped with a ferrule.
Why chose hose crimping?
Hose crimping refers to the process of using specialized equipment to attach fittings to the ends of sanitary hoses. Sanitary hoses are commonly used in various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, where maintaining hygienic conditions is critical. These hoses are designed to meet specific standards for cleanliness, sterility, and resistance to bacterial growth.
During the hose crimping process, the hose is typically placed onto a fitting, and then a crimping machine is used to compress the fitting onto the hose. This creates a strong, secure, and leak-proof connection, ensuring that the hose can withstand the rigorous demands of sanitary applications. The crimping process helps to prevent contamination, leaks, and other potential hazards that could compromise the integrity of the product or process.
Sanitary hose crimping is essential for ensuring the overall hygiene and safety of the products and processes in industries where cleanliness and sterility are of utmost importance. Properly crimped hoses are crucial for maintaining the integrity of sanitary systems and preventing any contamination that could lead to product spoilage or compromise consumer safety.
Food industry hose types
Different areas of use require different hose types. Based on these, we distinguish the following types of hoses, among others.
Food grade PVC suction hose
These hoses are often used for suction and delivery of liquids in the food and beverage industry. They are usually transparent or translucent, allowing easy observation of the fluid flow.
Food grade rubber hose
These hoses are made of high-quality rubber, which makes them suitable for contact with food. They can be used to transport a variety of ready-to-eat food products, including dairy products, wine, beer and fruit juices.
Dairy hose
Hoses specially designed for the dairy industry to withstand the properties of fats, oils and dairy products. It is often used to transfer milk and milk products.
Brewery hose
Brewery hoses are designed to transfer beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. They resist the growth of microorganisms while maintaining the integrity of the product.
Wine and spirits hose
Similar to brewery hoses, these are designed to transfer wine and other spirits such as brandy. They are primarily made from materials that do not impart any taste or smell to the products.
Liquid food suction and delivery hose
These hoses are suitable for suction and delivery of various liquid food products, such as fruit juice, syrup and cooking oil, thanks to the particularly smooth inner surface.
Dry food discharge hose
Hoses designed for the transfer of dry food products such as cereals, flour and powdery materials. They prevent contamination of foodstuffs and preserve their quality.
Hot water washdown hose
These hoses are used to clean and disinfect equipment in food processing plants. For effective cleaning, they can be used with hot water or steam.
Milk collection hose
Hoses designed for collecting milk on a dairy farm are often lightweight and flexible for easier handling.
Pharmaceutical grade hose
Although not exclusive to the food industry, pharmaceutical grade hoses are used when exceptionally high levels of cleanliness and hygiene are required for the transfer of sensitive food products or pharmaceuticals.
Food Industry Hoses from IZOFLEX
If you want to be certain about the exact type and design of hose needed for your application, seek our professional advice. The experts at IZOFLEX will assist you in finding the food industry hose tailored to your industry, ensuring it meets all necessary requirements.
