High-Performance
Materials for Food
Processing
WRITTEN BY Eastern Seals
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Eastern Seals
Formulary (USP NF). Compliance to
USP Class VI is often requested by end
users. Testing for compliance involves an
assessment of the effects of the material,
and extractables, on tissue.
Although USP relates to pharmaceutical
and bio-technology industries, many
manufacturers of hygienic equipment are
utilising multipurpose designs that can be
used in a range of different industries.
Selecting the right material and grade
offers several benefits;
•
The food industry includes a variety of quantitative limits that may be used in a
applications with unique, challenging rubber compound intended for repeated
requirements. The diversity of products use in all stages of food manufacture,
and the use of numerous flavours can preparation and transportation.
have varying effects on sealing materials. WRAS - Water Regulations Advisory
Furthermore, equipment is increasingly
operated at full capacity, which requires
more frequent product changes and
cleaning cycles.
Elastomers used in process equipment,
pumps, valves, pipe work, couplings,
processing equipment reduces repair
costs.
•
water applications in the UK must satisfy
the requirement of BS 6920 of the
Water Regulations Advisory Scheme.
Increased operating periods between
maintenance cycles.
•
Reduced risk of contamination,
which can lead to product failure /
Scheme
Sealing materials approved for drinking
Extended service life of food
quarantine.
•
Increased reliability and performance
help prevent potential damage claims
from end users.
WRAS material approval includes non- Our group is an established market leader
metallic materials and components that in food and dairy grade sealing products,
must undergo testing for their effects from O-rings and metal detectable
on water quality. This type of approval seals to mechanical seals, gaskets and
demonstrates that the non-metallic custom moulded parts. We supply high
material / component itself does not performance food grade seals with
contaminate water and therefore satisfies excellent mechanical capabilities and
this particular requirement of regulations. chemical resistance. FDA-compliant
FDA Seals (Food & Drug Administration) USP Class VI elastomer materials include Nitrile, EPDM,
Although the jurisdiction of the FDA United States Pharmacopeia (USP) are
reaction vessels and bulk containers
must be able to cope with an array of
process media, aggressive cleaning and
sterilising processes. Seals must be also
be compliant with a growing range of
legislative manufacturing regulations and
hygiene standards.
is restricted to the United States, FDA
regulations are commonly adopted
as international control standards.
CFR21.177.2600 describes the relevant
regulations for ‘Rubber articles intended
for repeated use’. It lists ingredients, and
26 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk
a non-government organisation that
promotes public health by establishing
advanced standards to ensure the quality
of medicines and other health care
technologies. Standards are published in
the US Pharmacopeia and the National
Silicone, HNBR, FKM and FFKM. We also
supply other materials with international
approvals such as USP Class VI, WRAS,
NSF and regulation (EU) 1935/2004, as
well as seals based on hygienic design.
Visit www.easternseals.co.uk or
www.ukseals.com to find out more.