Hygienic Design and Industry Standards: Everything you need to know to ensure compliance in the food industry

In the food industry, safety and hygiene are paramount. Companies must not only comply with strict standards to ensure product quality, but also protect consumers. The hygienic design of equipment plays a key role in this process. International regulations and standards, such as the EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidelines, set stringent requirements for equipment used in food processing. Acemia, with its innovative solutions, goes beyond these requirements to guarantee total compliance and optimum safety.

Hygienic Design Standards and Regulations

• EHEDG: The European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) develops guidelines for the hygienic design of food processing equipment. These guidelines cover various aspects, such as ease of cleaning, materials used and minimization of contamination risks. EHEDG-certified equipment is designed to prevent the accumulation of food residues and facilitate cleaning, thus guaranteeing safe and hygienic production conditions;

• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): In the USA, the FDA imposes strict regulations on equipment used in the food industry, with an emphasis on preventing cross-contamination and facilitating cleaning procedures. These requirements are crucial for companies exporting to the USA or operating under international regulations;

• ISO 14159 – Machine safety: This international standard specifies hygiene requirements for machine design, with particular emphasis on industries where hygiene is crucial, such as food processing. It emphasizes equipment design that enables effective cleaning and prevents the build-up of contaminants;

• ISO 22000 and food safety: This international standard establishes a framework for managing food safety at every stage of the supply chain, from production to distribution. ISO 22000 emphasizes proactive risk management by identifying and controlling food safety hazards. It incorporates the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), and requires effective communication throughout the production chain to guarantee the quality and safety of food products;

• NSF (National Sanitation Foundation): NSF certification is recognized worldwide to ensure that products meet food safety standards, including hygienic design criteria. NSF-certified equipment is designed to reduce the risk of microbiological contamination.

How Does Acemia Meet and Exceed These Standards?

At Acemia, compliance with industry standards is not just a goal; it’s a promise of quality and safety to our customers and their consumers.

We use non-reactive, corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, which prevent the build-up of contaminants and facilitate cleaning. Every part is designed to avoid hard-to-clean nooks and crannies and minimize food product retention points.

Acemia selects materials that not only meet hygiene standards, but exceed them in terms of durability and resistance. Our equipment is manufactured with certified components, guaranteeing an absence of harmful substances and resistance to intensive cleaning conditions, including cleaning-in-place (CIP) processes.

We incorporate innovative technologies that facilitate cleaning and reduce equipment downtime. Our solutions include automated cleaning systems and hollow-body-free designs that minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Our equipment is designed to adapt to the specific needs of each customer. This tailor-made approach ensures that each system not only complies with general standards, but also meets the specific requirements of our customers’ production lines, guaranteeing maximum food safety.

Compliance with hygienic design standards in the food industry is not an option; it’s a necessity to guarantee the safety of food products and protect the health of consumers. Our equipment is designed to meet the highest industry standards, guaranteeing safe, efficient and hygienic operations.