18 Dec Food Processing Cleanrooms: Benefits, Features, and Uses
Every year, millions of pounds of food are recalled because of contamination, costing companies lots of money, and worse, putting consumers at risk. Cleanrooms help nip this problem in the bud by keeping food processing plants clean, which of course means safer food for the public. In this article, we’ll discuss why food processing rooms are important, their basic features, applications, and more.
Why are Food Processing Cleanrooms Important?
1. They Prevent Contamination
This is, of course, the most obvious reason why food processing requires cleanrooms. Bacteria, mold, and other viable particles can have serious effects on consumers if left in food. This in turn, can devastate a company’s reputation, lead to lawsuits and even bankruptcy. As a result, having cleanrooms that work is paramount in protecting both business interests and the public.
2. Regulations
Since consumers may be so easily exposed to food contamination, heavy regulations are often necessary to protect them. Standards set by organizations like the FDA and USDA help improve cleanliness in food processing plants. Cleanrooms can help such businesses meet or exceed these standards.
3. They Improve Product Quality
Whether for dairy, baked goods, or other foods, keeping a clean space helps make the quality consistent. Consumers can often taste the difference.
4. They Increase Product Yields
When foods are processed in controlled environments, such as cleanrooms, batches of products may continue to reach higher yields without spoilage. And this helps to improve many companies’ bottom line.
Basic Food Processing Cleanroom Features
Food processing cleanrooms, in their essence, are built to keep products and consumers safe. Here are some of the features that help them achieve this:
1. Advanced Air Filtration
Most cleanrooms, including those in the food processing industry, use either high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filters to keep particles from entering or recirculating. For food production, most cleanrooms are designed to meet ISO 6 standards, which typically do not need ULPA filters, so HEPA filters are generally sufficient.
2. Smooth & Non-Porous Surfaces
Walls, floors, and ceilings in food processing cleanrooms often need to be made from easy-to-clean and non-porous materials so that particles cannot accumulate, and so that such surfaces can be fully cleaned. Some of these materials include stainless steel, vinyl, and other composites.
3. Controlled Temperature and Humidity
Given that fungi, bacteria, and all kinds of biological organisms can grow and multiply in certain conditions, creating an atmosphere that limits this is of the highest importance. Temperature and humidity are a major part of this equation, and so these are tightly controlled to protect consumers.
Applications of Food Processing Cleanrooms
As we’ve already shown, cleanrooms in the food industry can be important in creating safe and high-quality products. Here are a few of their applications:
- Dairy Production: Cleanrooms are often used to make dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Beverages: During bottling and other processes, it’s important that beverages remain uncontaminated.
- Packaged Foods: All kinds of packaged snacks and foods use cleanrooms to make sure they do not become contaminated before packaging.
- Baked Goods: These may also benefit from controlled environments to prevent contamination and increase product yields.
The Bottom Line
In short, food processing cleanrooms help keep products safe, consistent, and high quality. They can help businesses prevent contamination, meet regulations, and improve overall product yields. As a result, they end up benefiting both businesses and consumers alike.
Interested in adding a cleanroom to your food processing plant or facility? Reach out to the experts at Allied Cleanrooms today to get a quote on a new space!
