The requirements for pumps in the food and beverage industry extend far beyond simple functionality. There are specific challenges and regulatory requirements that must be met when designing and manufacturing pumps in this industry. From maintaining hygiene standards to meeting the demands of high-volume production, food and beverage pump manufacturers must navigate a complex landscape.
The Rising Food & Beverage Manufacturing Sector
Food and beverage manufacturing facilities convert raw food materials into products for either intermediate or final consumption, utilizing labor, machinery, energy and expertise. Some products, like syrup for soda production, serve as inputs for additional processing.
According to the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census’ County Business Patterns, there are nearly 43,000 food and beverage processing facilities throughout the U.S. The Bureau of the Census’ Annual Survey of Manufacturers also reports that food and beverage manufacturers represent 17% of total sales and 15% of all employees across all U.S. manufacturing industries. More specifically, this sector accounted for more than $534.3 billion of gross domestic product and nearly 3.5 million jobs in 2023, with experts predicting top-line growth of between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2025.
Meat processing leads the food and beverage manufacturing space, followed closely by dairy, beverages and grain and oilseeds. Of these, beverage manufacturing has far and away seen the greatest growth, with a 23% growth rate in 2023 alone. This growth is primarily driven by breweries, which have contributed to more than 50% of the total increase in beverage manufacturing over the past five years.
As the food and beverage manufacturing sector continues to grow, there is now even greater demand for reliable manufacturing partners who can navigate and comply with stringent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and compliance standards.
Pumps for Food & Beverage Applications
The food and beverage industry relies on a number of different pumps to transfer fluids. These include air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps, centrifugal pumps and drum pumps.
AODD pumps are designed to handle everything from thin liquids to viscous products, making them a good option for various food processing tasks. They can also be less expensive compared to rotary lobe, gear and progressive cavity pumps, making them more economical than other positive displacement technologies.
Centrifugal pumps are engineered to deliver consistent flow rates and are particularly suited for high-volume transfer operations in food and beverage production. Their robust construction provides excellent chemical resistance and can handle higher pipe loads.
Drum pumps are particularly useful for handling thick or viscous liquids, such as oils, syrups and sauces, ensuring smooth, hygienic and controlled transfers while meeting industry standards for
safety and sanitation.
FDA Regulations in Food Manufacturing
In 1938, the FDA was given the power to enforce food safety and recall harmful food, additives, drugs and cosmetics. Nearly 30 years later, the FDA established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), a set of federal regulations (21 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 110) that form the foundation of FDA compliance, providing essential guidelines to maintain consistency, quality and safety in manufacturing processes.
Building on these regulations, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was passed in 2011, mandating the FDA to regulate the harvesting, processing and transporting of food products for human or animal consumption. Specifically, the FSMA focuses on preventing contamination by implementing hazard analysis and preventive controls.
Four years later, in September 2015, the FDA updated the GMPs, creating Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). The cGMP regulations for food and beverages in particular are established in 21 CFR Part 117. These guidelines address, among other things, design and construction of a food plant and maintenance of plant grounds, plant equipment, sanitary operations, facility sanitation and production and process controls during the production of food.
When a food or beverage manufacturer meets the cGMPs as set out by the FDA for safety, quality and manufacturing standards, they are considered to be FDA-compliant. Alternatively, equipment can also be deemed food-approved, meaning it has been deemed safe for use in food production by either the FDA or other regulatory bodies, such as the American National Standards Institute, National Sanitation Foundation or European Union.
The key distinction between the FDA-compliant standards versus those for food-approved is that food-approved equipment focuses primarily on the safety of materials in direct contact with food products. For example, it may need to meet specific safety standards for the materials (such as stainless steel or food-grade plastic) used in food processing or preparation. Typically, food-approved equipment meets safety standards that ensure no harmful chemicals or substances leach into the food, and the equipment is durable and easy to clean to prevent contamination.
Material Considerations for FDA-Approved Pumps
Pump manufacturers for food and beverage applications must consider both the materials used for the pump itself and the materials that come into contact with the product being processed.
Regulations for food-contact materials are generally guided by CFR 21 Part 177, which identifies substances that are considered safe for use in food contact surfaces. These include:
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel is highly durable, resistant to corrosion and easy to clean, making it a common material for pumps in FDA-regulated industries. Stainless steel, especially grades 304 and 316, is commonly used for pump housings, shafts and other critical components.
- FDA-approved elastomers and seals: Elastomers such as fluoroelastomers, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are chemical resistant, nontoxic and easy to clean. They are often used for seals, gaskets and O-rings.
- Polypropylene and PVC: These thermoplastics are resistant to chemicals and can be molded into various shapes, making them suitable for pump components like housings and valves.
- PTFE: PTFE is chemically inert, nonstick and resistant to high temperatures, making it a preferred material for pump components that handle aggressive chemicals or high temperatures.
- Ceramics or coatings: Ceramic and other specialized coatings may be used on pump components in order to prevent corrosion and make cleaning easier. These materials are typically nonreactive and durable, and they need to be FDA-approved for food contact and compliant with the relevant sections of 21 CFR.
- Titanium: Titanium is highly resistant to corrosion, especially in high-purity environments, and is often used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
When selecting materials for FDA-compliant pumps, it is important to know what substances should be avoided to ensure safety, compliance and product integrity. These include:
- Materials with toxic additives: Some materials, such as certain plastics or rubbers, may contain additives like plasticizers and/or stabilizers that can leach out and contaminate food or pharmaceuticals. Some common examples include polycarbonate and PVC with non-FDA-approved additives.
- Copper and copper alloys: Copper and its alloys (such as brass) are generally not FDA-compliant due to their susceptibility to corrosion and the potential for metal leaching, especially in food products. Stainless steel is typically preferred in place of copper-based materials.
- Some rubber: Not all rubber materials are FDA-approved for direct food contact. Some may contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the product.
- Wood or unapproved composites: Wood, unapproved composites and certain other porous materials should be avoided due to their inability to be fully sanitized and their potential to harbor bacteria or contaminants.
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