Importance of Hygienic Design of Food Processing Industry Equipment
                     Importance of Hygienic Design of Food 
Processing Industry Equipment
Neel Rao
Writes on ID Fan and PA Fan technologies for 
Reitz India.
Food processing firms are aware of the importance of food safety as it significantly 
enhances consumer confidence. Hygienic design encompasses the machinery and 
overall infrastructure required in the food processed for consumption.
This is one of the most prioritized aspects in the food processing industry. 
Contamination of food has a direct impact on the health and lifestyle of the 
consumers. The equipment, therefore, should be designed accordingly.
The prime principles of the design of hygienic food 
equipment:
  Establishing standards, that all the workers will be adhering to
  Sealing hollow area and crevices in the equipment
  Preventing condensation build-up on machinery
  Getting access to all the areas of equipment in the plant for cleaning
  Integrating materials that are compatible throughout a factory
  Ensuring easy microbiological cleaning
  Separating MS & SS tools.
In the manufacture of food processing equipment the importance of hygienic 
design cannot be over emphasized.
Need For Hygienic Design
Manufacturers dealing with food equipment seek ways to help their customers 
keep the machinery free from contamination. Manufacturers must design the 
machines accordingly, removing the risks related to microbiological organisms or 
toxins contaminating the food products. However, food processing firms should 
know, that equipment with hygienic designs can be cost efficient. Due to the choice 
of better-quality materials, the upfront cost may be higher. However, in the long-
term, the operational costs are low.
Currently, the public is aware of food safety, and therefore, food processing firms 
are focusing more on hygienic designs. In the digitized world, communication 
through social media takes place much faster, as compared to the traditional forms. 
A damage to reputation can be a big threat to business. Therefore, food retailers 
and food processing plants look out for equipment designed to minimize the 
chances of contamination. As manufacturer we should address these concerns and 
construct equipment, that fulfills the evolving demands of the customers.
What Are The General Design Principles For Food Processing 
Equipment?
The primary concern about safety in food processing equipment revolves around the 
surfaces that come in direct contact with the food. Therefore, the surfaces can be 
classified into two categories:
 Contact surfaces
 Non-contact surfaces
Contact Surfaces
The equipment surfaces, that have a direct contact with food products should 
meet the following requirements:
 The surfaces need to be impervious and smooth
 They should not have any type of crevice or crack
 Be non-conductive to contamination
 Made from materials that are nonabsorbent and nonporous
 Be non-reactive to food products
 Be easily cleanable
 The surfaces do not have any toxin
 Be durable
 Require little or no maintenance
 Be resistant to corrosion
The surfaces of equipment that remain covered in any type of non-metallic or alloy 
material must adhere to these standards. Regardless of the conditions in the 
factory environment, the surface should not have any kind of chipping, bubbling or 
flaking. During fabrication, the modifications like soldering and welding need to be 
done using the right materials. This ensures that the surface meets the required 
design principles while maintaining hygiene.
Considering the importance of hygienic design of equipment used in food 
processing industry, it is important to use the right materials and design 
techniques. The designer, firstly, should determine the requirements, that can 
keep the equipment from causing contamination. Besides, the manufacturers and 
food processing firms should make a commitment to cleanliness and hygienic 
design in the interest of customer health and safety. This ensures business viability 
and increase in reputation of the firms as they match the expectations of their 
consumers.
About REITZINDIA
Reitz India has set a benchmark to deliver high quality fans for heavy duty industries 
which can work at precise operating conditions like high temperatures and pressures. 
Reitz offer idealistic Centrifugal Fan and Centrifugal blower design that can be used in 
all large scale process industries like cement, iron & steel, power plants, fertilizers/ 
chemicals and more.
Thank you for spending your precious time in reading this article!