Food safe compressed air: Standards and equipment for the food industry
The food and beverage sector moves more material using hygienic pneumatic conveying equipment than any other industry. From food-grade powders such as sugar, flour and cocoa to cereals and many other products, millions of tons of food are transported across the globe every single day. The same applies to pet food ingredients, where contamination risks are equally significant.
This poses two main challenges for companies in the food and beverage industry: first, they need access to a reliable, high-volume supply of compressed air. And, just as importantly, they have to meet the stringent compressed air standards for the food industry.
Compressed air for food and beverage applications
When goods are pneumatically conveyed, they come into direct contact with the compressed air being used to transport them. As a result, any contaminants contained in that air could find their way into this material and, ultimately, the end product.
This is not much of a problem if a little bit of oil or a few particles can be found in the concrete used to pave a road. However, it is a different story whenever materials are conveyed that end up in products meant for human consumption.
The consequences of such contamination can often be devastating and costly: from loss of complete production batches to recalls or lawsuits. Fortunately, there are plenty of air treatment options and products available that prevent these outcomes. Below you will find information on the applicable food safety and compressed air quality standards, and how to keep your pneumatic conveying system and your end products safe from harmful contaminants.
Food safety management systems (ISO 22000)
ISO 22000 is among the most important international food safety standards. It applies to any organization that directly or indirectly participates in food production. This includes not only primary producers such as farms, but also food processors and the manufacturers of packaged or canned foods.
The standard helps all of these organizations identify potential food safety hazards and control them. It plays a key role in guaranteeing quality and transparency in food processing and production facilities (including feed plants), which are the operations that use pneumatic conveying. It also helps businesses and consumers maintain confidence in the food supply chain and allows products to cross borders more easily.
Compressed air quality standards (ISO 8573-1)
Then there is ISO 8573-1 is perhaps the most important resource for companies that want to use the optimal compressed air treatment equipment and processes.
It helps companies understand how clean their air has to be by defining how many contaminants (solid particles, water and oil) the compressed air is still allowed to contain post-treatment at a specific point in the system.
ISO 8573-1 is divided into seven air quality classes. The lower the class, the cleaner the air has to be. For the lower classes, which represent the compressed air standards for the food industry, meeting the thresholds becomes more challenging.
The most important ISO 8573-1 class for the food industry is Class 0, which is the only class without defined contamination levels. Its permissible contaminant levels are set by the user and supplier of the respective air treatment equipment, and must be lower than those of Class 1.
Why choose oil-free compression
One of the ways in which businesses in the food and beverage sector can reduce the risk of compressed air contamination, and meet the requirements of Class 0 in terms of oil contamination, is to use oil-free compressed air equipment. It ensures that no oil used as lubricant can enter the air flow and contaminate the food (including pet food) ingredients being pneumatically conveyed.
In addition, the use of an oil-free compressor eliminates the need for an oil-removal filter, reducing system complexity and the risk of filter failure leading to contamination. Beyond oil, dryers and filters reduce moisture and particulates to a safe level.
Compressed air equipment for food processing pneumatic conveying
Selecting the right compressed air solution for food processing pneumatic conveying systems involves matching equipment capacity to the material being transported, whether that is bulk food-grade powders, cereals or pet food ingredients. An incorrectly sized compressor or blower can lead to high energy consumption, frequent blockages and long unloading times.
Depending on the application, compressed air systems may include oil-free compressors or blowers together with appropriate air treatment equipment to meet the required air quality standards specified by ISO 8573-1.
Get the right setup for your application
Every food and beverage operation has different throughput requirements, facility layouts, and compliance obligations. When setting up a food-grade pneumatic conveying system, the right compressed air equipment is critical. Our compressed air specialists can help you identify the right combination of oil-free compressor, dryer, and filtration for your specific process, and keep your system running safely and efficiently.
Learn more in our guide to solutions for pneumatic conveying in the food and beverage industry
What is food safe compressed air?
Food safe compressed air meets ISO 8573-1 quality standards, with Class 0 being the most stringent and the recommended class for direct-contact applications such as pneumatic conveying. It contains controlled or near-zero levels of oil, moisture, and particulates, and is used wherever compressed air contacts food, beverages, pet food ingredients, or food packaging directly.
What makes a compressor food grade?
A food grade air compressor produces air that meets food safety standards such as ISO 8573-1 Class 0. Oil-free compressors are the most reliable option because they eliminate oil contamination at the source. Downstream dryers and filters further reduce moisture and particulate levels.
Which ISO standard applies to compressed air in food production?
ISO 8573-1 defines compressed air purity classes for contaminants including solid particles, water, and oil. For food and beverage applications, Class 0 or Class 1 is typically required. ISO 22000 governs the broader food safety management system within which compressed air quality sits.
Do I need an oil-free compressor for food and beverage applications?
In most cases, yes. Oil-free compressors eliminate the risk of lubricant contamination entering the air stream at the source, without relying on downstream filtration to catch it. For direct-contact applications such as pneumatic conveying of food-grade powders or pet food ingredients, an oil-free system is the recommended approach to achieving ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance.
