BOGE

Decoding the food grade compressed air CoP
July 26th 2006

The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) in conjunction with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) recently launched a Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice to assist food producers in regulating their supply of compressed air. Geoff Taylor, managing director of Boge Compressors and a Director of the BCAS discusses the main points of this new Code.

"In 2004 the EU introduced a regulation to cover the hygiene of foodstuffs in the 'farm to table' process. This regulation 852/2004 introduced the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles to the food supply chain. It set the scene for establishing best practice to be employed in any particular food chain related situation.

The regulation emphasised that food safety is the result of several factors:

• minimum hygiene requirements,
• official controls implemented to check food business operators' compliance,
• food business operators establishing and operating food safety programmes and procedures in the decision process based on HACCP.

However, the regulation itself did not set specific targets or limits that should be employed. To assist this process, the BCAS / BRC have developed a Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice to support the food producer in the decision process related to HACCP for the supply of compressed air.

This code of practice has been developed to clarify and regulate the use of compressed air that is used in any part of the 'farm to table' production process.

As such, both compressed air that is used in direct contact with food production as well as compressed air that does not come into contact with the food product but forms part of the production process are considered in the CoP.

The Food Industry has faced increasing pressure in recent times to adhere to extremely high standards of hygiene and health & safety when preparing food produce. Consequently, the use of oil lubricated compressors in the food production process has from time to time come under attack and caused widespread concern. This new Code clearly identifies best practice for using compressed air within such processes.

Compressed air users should not be alarmed about the new Code of Practice as it clearly confirms that both; oil lubricated as well as oil free compressors are acceptable methods of generating compressed air for use in the Food Industry. Company's who are already using oil lubricated compressors in their food production process should not panic and feel that they have to rush out and purchase an oil free compressor. This is actually not necessary so long as they are using a Food Grade compressor lubricant.

The main requirements for the food manufacturer's operating a compressed air system are:

• Food manufacturer's must complete a "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point" (HACCP) process as a risk assessment to determine whether or not the compressed air comes into contact with the food.
• Class 1 quality air is a prerequisite. When the compressed air is generated by oil-lubricated compressors the lubricant MUST be Food Grade.
• An air purity test should be carried out twice a year to confirm the air quality.
• Where the air comes in contact with food it must have a - 40C dewpoint. That means a suitably sized desiccant dryer must be fitted into the system.
• All compressed air equipment should be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
• There must be a planned preventative maintenance programme in place that also meets the requirements of the Pressure Systems regulations and hygiene requirements.
• Records of maintenance, air quality tests etc should be documented and recorded.

In reality many food manufacturing plants will already comply and the requirement for air quality testing and a documented preventative maintenance regime will cause very little anxiety. If in doubt - contact Boge for advice."

Boge manufactures a comprehensive range of oil lubricated and oil free screw compressors suitable for operation in the food industry along with a food grade lubricant suitable for those end users operating oil lubricated compressors.

The BCAS/BRC Food Industry Code of Practice for the supply of compressed air booklet is available from BOGE and priced at 25. To order your copy or for more information contact BOGE on telephone: 01484 719921.

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