Food safety is an important concept in the food industry. It is of utmost importance for food producers and machine builders to process food in a safe and hygienic manner. In doing so, they prevent bacterial growth, contamination and food poisoning. Food safety also ensures that companies do not suffer reputational damage. But what exactly are the requirements and which regulations are important? In this article, we discuss the most important regulations that apply when creating a food-safe process.
Laws and regulations surrounding food safety
As a mechanical engineer or food manufacturer, it is crucial to use components and materials that meet certain requirements to ensure food safety. In Europe, the EC1935/2004 applies. This legislation describes all the requirements that materials in contact with food must meet. In normal use, the materials must not pose a risk to human health, they must not alter the composition of the food and they must not affect the properties such as shape, texture and odor of the food. The EC1935/2004 lists several groups of contact materials. This lists the requirements for each contact material. For example, you have EU 10/2011 which applies specifically to plastics.
Monitoring food safety
In the Netherlands, the NVWA monitors compliance with EC1935/2004 laws and regulations, as well as the application of an HACCP system. Manufacturers working with food are required by law to operate a food safety system based on the HACCP system. This is a risk inventory for food products. The system is based on seven basic principles:
1. Identify potential hazards using a risk analysis
2. Map critical control points
3. Establish limits for each critical control point
4. Establish a monitoring procedure for all critical control points
5. Establish corrective actions for times when limits are exceeded
6. Establish a verification procedure to check that the process is working as it should
7. Establish recording and documentation procedures
These seven basic principles identify all potential hazards and describe how potential hazards can be controlled to ensure food safety.
In short, it is crucial for food manufacturers and mechanical engineers in the food industry to take into account the use of materials and the corresponding EC1935/2004 regulations. Nor should HACCP systematics be absent from your process. When you prioritize food safety, you put consumer health and safety first and prevent contamination and reputational damage.
Food safe brushes
We understand the importance of food safety. For this reason, we continuously invest in research to develop and produce brushes suitable for food processing. The fibers used by KOTI in contact with food comply with the following European regulations and requirements:
- Commission Regulation: (EC) 1935/2004 on materials and articles in contact with food
- European directive: (EU) 10/2011, (EU) 2182/2011, (EU) 1183/2012, (EU) 202/2014, (EU) 865/2014, 174/2015, (EU) 1416/2016, (EU) 752/2017, (EU) 79/2018 and (EU) 831/2018 on plastic materials and articles in contact with food
- Commission Regulation: (EC) 2023/2006 on production of materials and articles in contact with food.
At KOTI, we are able to create a brush solution for every challenge that meets your food safety needs, wants and requirements. Find out what common applications our brush solutions are used for in the food and beverage industry.