Avoid Compliance Pitfalls: A Look at FDA-Certified Pumps

Food-Compliant VS Food-Approved

Food and beverage manufacturers must not only understand these regulations and compliance standards, but also grasp the nuances between FDA-compliant and food-approved.

FDA compliance refers to meeting the agency’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for safety, quality, and manufacturing standards. In contrast, food-approved equipment has been evaluated and deemed safe for use in food production by the FDA or other recognized regulatory bodies such as ANSI, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), or the European Union (EU).

Specifically, food-approved equipment focuses primarily on the safety of materials in direct contact with food products and need to meet specific 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.

To meet these guidelines and regulations, pump manufacturers for food and beverage applications must consider both the materials used for the pump itself as well as the materials that come into contact with the product being processed. These include:

• Stainless steel
• Elastomers such as fluoroelastomers (e.g. FKM), silicone rubber, and EPDM
• PTFE
• Polypropylene
• PVC
• Ceramics
• Titanium

At Finish Thompson, we have a variety of FDA-compliant pumps in a variety of materials that can be used to in the food and beverage industry, including:

• Air-operated, double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps are designed to handle everything from thin liquids to viscous products.
• Centrifugal pumps are particularly suited for high-volume transfer operations and provide excellent chemical resistance while also handling 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.

Designing and producing pumps for the food and beverage industry demands careful attention to factors like FDA compliance, material safety, and sanitation standards. By following stringent regulations and ensuring that equipment meets hygiene and efficiency requirements, manufacturers can uphold product quality and safeguard consumer health.