Using Compressed air on direct food contact packaging
Hello all,
We are trying to introduce compressed air onto one of our packaging lines. The compressed air will be used to blow air into our bags before product (cookies) are dropped in. We are a bakery and low risk. The filters are 0.01 micron.
I know that before we can use this new process, we need to validate that the compressed air is safe for use.
However, I am new to this and have no idea where to start.
I am not sure what to test for and how and how frequently before we can start using the air.
Do we test the air on a sponge? on a plate?
Do we have to send the finished product for testing?
Ho frequently do we have to conduct the testing?
What should we be testing for?
I am at a loss.
Please help.
Any direction, advise or information you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
KBMB
Attached is a presentation over the use of compressed air in food facilities; it's from the 2018 SQF conference.
Scherer_-_Compressed_Air.pdf 3.14MB 34 downloads
Attached is a presentation over the use of compressed air in food facilities; it's from the 2018 SQF conference.
Hi Spidey,
It's a nice document (thks) but I think the (SQF) filtration data shown is incorrect (thrice), eg the filtration recommended in SQF 8.1 guidance is 0.01 micron, not 0.1 micron.
Hi Spidey,
It's a nice document (thks) but I think the (SQF) filtration data shown is incorrect (twice), eg the filtration recommended in SQF 8.1 guidance is 0.01 micron, not 0.1 micron.
I didn't write the presentation, I got it from attending the 2018 SQF Conference, as it states in my original post.
I posted it because it was relevant to the question about compressed air and it was a resource that I had on my computer.
I didn't write the presentation, I got it from attending the 2018 SQF Conference, as it states in my original post.
I posted it because it was relevant to the question about compressed air and it was a resource that I had on my computer.
Hi Spidey,
Yes I realise you didn't write it.
Just noting the errors..
Hello all,
We are trying to introduce compressed air onto one of our packaging lines. The compressed air will be used to blow air into our bags before product (cookies) are dropped in. We are a bakery and low risk. The filters are 0.01 micron.
I know that before we can use this new process, we need to validate that the compressed air is safe for use.
However, I am new to this and have no idea where to start.
I am not sure what to test for and how and how frequently before we can start using the air.
Do we test the air on a sponge? on a plate?
Do we have to send the finished product for testing?
Ho frequently do we have to conduct the testing?
What should we be testing for?
I am at a loss.
Please help.
Any direction, advise or information you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
KBMB
Hi KBMB,
A simple answer (albeit maybe somewhat overkill) would be to hire a Service to do it for you such as the one here -
https://www.ifsqn.co...race-analytics/
The basic requirements are illustrated in attachment of Post 2 above although previous SQF posts suggest some other items may be occasionally requested, eg sedimentation counts.
An older (2012) illustration of (probably similar to current) SQF requirements is given in attachment sh5 in this post -
https://www.ifsqn.co...ent/#entry81054
PS - Note that the Guidance material for SQF ver9 includes methods to evaluate ambient air (not compressed air) which are also quite informative.
We use air to clear the surface of our cartons as they are glued to help apply windows more accurately. We have changed all compressors over to food grade lubes and change the point of use filters annually. We perform yeast and mold plate sampling at each point of use as well. Establish the acceptable range and mitigation if it is high.