Food and beverage manufacturers understand the importance of sanitary piping in their industry. They also need to focus on sanitary fittings to ensure problems don’t arise when transporting materials and finished products. If the piping or fittings are unsanitary, the entire batch could be contaminated, making it unsafe for consumption, which hurts the company’s bottom line.
What Does Sanitary Mean?
When people hear the word sanitary, they think of a germ-free and hygienic healthcare facility. Sanitary in the food industry has a different meaning, however. It means equipment, facility design, and construction that adhere to strict cleanliness and hygiene standards. Sanitary piping accessories are designed to comply with these standards to prevent the contamination of food and beverage products. Sanitary equipment and facilities reduce the risk of products degrading or spoiling.
Types of Piping Accessories
Piping accessories come in many forms. Clamps and clamp fittings make it easy to assemble and disassemble the piping systems so they can be cleaned and maintained. Valves control flow while ensuring hygienic conditions are preserved, and pumps move liquids through the system while maintaining the integrity of the products.
Gaskets and seals establish tight, hygienic connections between the fittings and equipment, and sight glasses allow workers to inspect the product flow while preserving the sanitary environment. Filters remove impurities from gases and liquids to maintain sterile conditions, and the tubing and piping used in the system have a polished interior so bacteria cannot grow and products will not adhere to them.
Material Choices
Manufacturers must carefully choose the materials used when designing and constructing sanitary piping systems and accessories. Stainless steel, polypropylene, and PVC are three common choices because they resist corrosion and high temperatures. Furthermore, they are easy to clean and maintain. All are non-toxic and non-reactive, so the risk of contaminated food and beverages decreases drastically.
System Design
The system design is also of importance. Designers aim to minimize the number of joints, seams, corners, and other areas where contamination may occur. These areas must also be easy to clean and maintain. Designers incorporate rounded corners and smooth surfaces into the systems, eliminating crevices and gaps where bacteria may gather. They also include components that are easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Workers must clean and maintain these systems to prevent contamination and ensure the safety and quality of the products. These procedures remove any buildup of bacteria and other contaminants in the system. Furthermore, regular maintenance and cleanings allow workers to monitor the system and report any potential problems so they can be addressed. In addition to cleaning and maintaining the system, workers need to inspect and test it. However, workers must use the proper cleaning and sanitizing agents for the system and the correct inspection and testing methods to see the benefits.
Sanitary piping and accessories are essential in food and beverage manufacturing. Unsanitary conditions negatively impact product safety and quality, leading to contamination and spoilage. One foodborne illness brought on by unsanitary manufacturing conditions can permanently harm a company’s reputation, possibly even forcing the business to close. By prioritizing sanitary piping and accessories, companies can reduce the risk of this happening and ensure their customers receive high-quality products every time.
As the industry evolves, manufacturers must keep up with the latest trends to ensure they remain on top of conditions within their facilities. New products and services may benefit the manufacturer by simplifying maintaining sanitary conditions. When manufacturers know this is handled, they can turn their focus to other challenges they face.