Why high efficiency air filtration is important for food safety

The food and beverage industry is affected by unique air quality challenges that can risk the health and safety of workers, production equipment along with a potential for contamination. Let’s look at how high-efficiency air filters can provide an effective and affordable solution. 
 
Across the world, the daily challenges facing the food & beverage industry have been intensifying for some time. From product safety recalls to fluctuations in global food prices, food manufacturers and packaging plants seemingly have enough on their plate when it comes to product safety. 
 
Like any other commercial operation, the presence of airborne pathogens, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can threaten food safety and quality. Commercial operators like food producers, dairy processors, and beverage manufacturers must pay very close attention to how effective their air filters are and how effective they are at protecting the people, process, and the environment the filters serve. For most, upgrading to high-efficiency air filters is an effective way to reduce the threats from contaminants while improving facility airflow and lowering maintenance costs. 

The first step is to determine what level of filtration is needed in a given area.  This can vary widely depending on the type of product you are manufacturing and its processes.  Areas considered low care or low risk will often have different requirements than those considered high care or high hygiene. These areas often require multiple stages of filtration, with final filters in the MERV 14/14A to MERV 16/16A range, depending on the application.  Sufficient airflow is also required in order to maintain positive pressure zones in higher risk areas.   

The below diagrams will explain how food is segmented based on its characteristics and how air quality or air care is determined.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALLY-DESIGNED AIR FILTERS FOR THE FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

No matter what kind of food is being produced, clean air is a vital ingredient in the final product. The presence of contaminants in a food or beverage bottling production can threaten the reputation of a brand name that has taken years to establish. This is why it is important to ensure compliance with current standards and to ensure regular validation of equipment/processes along with the air filters.

If the HVAC system in your facility is poorly maintained or the filtration system is not providing sufficiently suitable air quality then the whole production process could be compromised. At the very least poor air quality could create unwanted results in the food that is produced like high absenteeism & early product spoilage. At the worst, it could spell disaster in the form of contaminated product, poorly packaged food items, which could damage consumer confidence irrecoverably. Air filters act as a barrier between food and microbiological cross-contamination from mold, bacteria, viruses, VOCs, fine dusts from dry ingredients and odors. Molecular air filtration can improve the equipment resistance to corrosion at the food and beverage production facility while also ensuring problematic odors are captured at the source and do not escape into the surrounding atmosphere.