When to Use Chinese food grade hose supplier?

10 Jun.,2024

 

Food Grade Hose – Everything You Should Know

We often use plastics and elastomers in our everyday life. But have you thought about its downsides? Plastics and elastomers don&#;t decompose. They can also create health issues for humans, animals, or any living creatures. Therefore, considering these health issues, food grade hoses have come into this world. These hoses are designed so that they are entirely safe for living creatures.

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Concerning these issues, various industries require different types of food grade hoses. They are primarily prevalent in food transfer applications. The purpose of this article is to highlight the fundamentals of a food grade hose in brief. We will also talk about the food grade certifications & regulations. Ultimately, we will also learn to choose the right product for our projects.

What is Food Grade Hose?

You may already know its definition. To make it clear, let&#;s recheck it. A food grade hose is specially designed to handle food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products. These food grade hoses aim to transport food & drinks without causing contamination. In addition, it ensures the safety & sanitary transfer of consumable materials during production. The processing and distribution of food grade hoses pass through regulatory standards. These standards and certifications provide the purity & quality of the products they transport.

Please focus on this part. If a hose is not food grade, what might happen? First, non-grade hoses are likelier to leach chemicals, plasticizers, or other substances. These contaminations alter the food quality and give you safety risks. How? If you consume these contaminated foods, you may face various health issues. Therefore, considering the importance of food grade hose is crucial. Other problems include bacterial growth, odor & flavor absorptions, and loss of product quality.

Benefits of Using Food grade hose

According to safety regulations, using food grade hoses in food & beverage industries is compulsory. Concerning food safety, food grade hoses are specially designed. However, food grade hoses also provide other benefits. Let&#;s find out more.

First, food grade hose maintains hygiene. It means that these hoses are easy to clean and sanitize. It ultimately minimizes the risk of bacterial growth. What else? The smooth, non-porous surfaces of these hoses prevent the accumulation of residue.

Second, Food grade hoses are resistant to absorbing food odors & flavors. It ensures that the taste & quality of the food remains uncompromised during transport. Since food grade hoses go through various compliance with regulations, they provide reliability.

Materials Used For Food Grade Hose Manufacturing

You may wonder about the material used in food grade hose manufacturing from the above discussion. Is it different from a typical plastic or rubber hose? The answer is no. Food grade hoses are also made from familiar materials like thermoplastic, rubber, metal, and polyester. In this case, thermoplastic might include polyurethane, PVC and PTFE. On the other hand, rubber hoses may have NBR & EPDM. However, stainless steel is used for metallic food grade hoses.

Properties of Food Grade Hoses

You may already find that Rentone Hose is one of the most popular food grade hose manufacturers worldwide. What makes them so unique? Consider the product&#;s quality, customer reliability & product&#;s durability. Among all other hoses, food grade hoses are also noteworthy. The properties & benefits you can get from these hoses are described below.

&#;1&#; Non-toxic

Non-toxic is the paramount quality of any food grade hose. It means the hose won&#;t leach harmful substances into the food or drinks it is transporting.

&#;2&#; Non-metal Construction

Food grade hoses are typically non-metallic. Metal can rust and impact favors. Therefore, non-metal construction ensures the hose doesn&#;t mix undesirable elements into your product.

&#;3&#; Flexible & Kink Resistance

Food grade hoses typically remain pliable & kink resistant. It makes them easy to handle during production or packaging.

&#;4&#; Abrasion Resistance

Things can get rough in industrial settings. A food grade hose must ensure proper abrasion resistance in this case. It&#;s built to last.

&#;5&#; Temperature Resistant

Whether you&#;re dealing with hot or cold products, these hoses are specially designed to handle it. It won&#;t break a sweat. However, it can also deal with extreme temperatures.

&#;6&#;Odour Resistant

Food grade hoses always ensure that it doesn&#;t change the original odor of food. As a result, it provides the integrity of your product.

&#;7&#; Durability

We know that you want your investment to last. As a result, rentone hoses come with high-quality designs. They also specialize in choosing the best quality of the manufacturing materials. So, these hoses last long and ensure prolonged durability.

Wide Applications

Food grade hoses find wide applications in various industries. Food processing is the most popular place for application. Like transporting food & drinks from one container to another container is noteworthy. Many applications also use food-grade hoses to fill bottles, jars, and containers. Food-grade hoses in dairy firms are crucial in producing milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Other than food processing, food grade hoses are also prevalent in brewing & winemaking industries. In addition, food grade water hose transports purified water to the consumers in water treatment facilities. Moreover, in the medical sector, these hoses transfer pharmaceutical ingredients. It ensures sterility & patient safety. Besides, in the pharmaceutical industry, we may have similar applications too.

Food Grade Certifications & Regulations

To ensure food safety, every manufacturer follows proper certifications and regulations. It&#;s also about gaining customer&#;s trust. It&#;s an international standard that every food grade hose manufacturer must follow. The purpose of these certifications is to ensure the safe handling of food & beverages.

ISO , EC /, and FDA 21 CFR177. are mostly followed in food grade hose manufacturing. ISO is a global standard for food safety management systems. The European Commission (EC) Regulation / sets the requirements for materials. It also describes the contents intended to come into contact with food. In addition, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration also regulates materials that come into contact with food.

Some Popular & Reliable Food Grade Hose

This section would be helpful if we are looking for suitable food grade hoses for your projects. The manufacturer of the following two hoses is Rentone Hose. The company has over ten years of experience. They ensure reliable products with excellent quality. They provide proper regulations on food safety and quality.

Food Suction & Discharge Hose

As the name implies, these food grade hoses can be used in both food suction & discharge. The structural reinforcement includes high-strength synthetic polyester with a dual wire helix. The wrapped finished slick ensures perfect abrasion & weather resistance.

Food Discharge Hose

These hoses are only suitable for food discharging applications. The reinforcement of this hose includes layers of high-strength polyester cord with dual helix wire.

How to Choose the Right Food Grade Hose

Here comes the critical step. There are thousands of qualities available in the hose-selling markets. But how do you find an appropriate product for your project? Why is it so necessary? Choosing a suitable food-grade hose is critical to maintaining food safety.

First, we should prioritize safety. We must ensure the hose meets industry-specific standards like ISO and FDA compliance. Next, select hoses from food-grade materials that won&#;t leach harmful substances into your products. Finally, of course, we must consider the budget. While quality is crucial, manage costs by balancing your budget and safety constraints. In this case, we must prioritize long-term value over initial expenses.

With competitive price and timely delivery, HESPER sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a food grade hose?

We can understand any hose that obeys food grade standards is called food grade hose. It can be made of a wide range of materials. However, according to ISO , it must be safe for transporting foods & beverages.

What makes a hose food grade?

You can call a hose food grade if it meets strict regulatory standards. In the previous, we discussed three popular food safety standards. These are ISO , EC /, and FDA 21 CFR177..

Are Garden Hoses Safe to Drink Water??

No, it&#;s not typically safe for drinking water. It is because garden hoses are not designed to meet the strict standards for food grade materials. They may contain contaminants and leach harmful chemicals. Sometimes, you may find a food grade garden hose that might be safe for drinking water. We often make this mistake. But unknowingly, we are harming our bodies.

Final Thought

Let&#;s wrap everything up! The use of food grade hoses is not just a choice. It&#;s a required item for the food & beverage industry. Please note that the consequences of using inappropriate hoses can be severe. Starting from contamination may create various health issues. Therefore, prioritize safety & quality by investing in hoses that meet strict standards & regulations.

Throughout the article, we learned the fundamentals of a food grade hose. This article will be helpful when choosing the right product for your project. Still, if you have any questions, please get in touch with our customer support team. Our team of experts can help you with valuable responses.

Food-Grade Hose Guide and Standards

Food-Grade Hose Guide & Standards

Figure 1: Food-grade PVC hose

Food-grade hoses play a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverages produced. Organizations such as HACCP, FDA, CDC, and SHIPSAN enforce regulations to prevent product contamination. Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials like polyurethane, PVC, and thermoplastic rubber. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, making it essential to choose the proper hose for each application, including the transportation of highly fragrant products. This article discusses the main features, materials, certifications, and applications of food-grade hoses.

Table of contents

Why do I need a food-grade hose?

Food safe hoses enable the safe and hygienic transfer of liquid and dry bulk food materials. These hoses protect food products from external contaminants during the transfer. Because these hoses come into contact with food products, it is crucial to use the appropriate hose material to prevent any contamination of foreign substances into the food products. Therefore, the hose must adhere to specific standards to avoid deterioration that could potentially impact the quality, aroma, purity, or taste of the food products flowing through them. While they may look like other types of hoses, food processing hoses differ from them in the following ways:

  • Non-toxic, non-metal construction: Plastics and rubbers offer inherent corrosion resistance, making them ideal for food and beverage operation equipment. Metal components, excluding stainless steel, are often susceptible to corrosion, which contaminates food products.
  • Excellent durability: Food-grade hoses are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of food processing facilities (e.g., high temperatures, pressures, and abrasion).
  • Pressure capacity: Many food processing operations maintain various pressure conditions. A wide variety of food-grade hoses is available on the market suited for use in vacuum and pneumatic applications.
  • Odorless/tasteless design: The food-grade hoses are designed not to add odors to products, contamination, or flavors to the conveyed material, nor does it absorb odors. This helps keep the taste and aroma of the final product intact.

Figure 2: Food-grade hoses find extensive use in milk production.

Food-grade certifications and regulations

Food-grade hoses should comply with various standards, regulations, and certifications.

ISO - EU

ISO sets the requirements for food safety management. It illustrates what an organization needs to do to control food safety hazards to ensure food is safe for consumption. Any organization can use it regardless of its position or size in the food chain. Although this certification is not explicitly intended for hoses, it does cover the broader area of specifications closely involved. Companies and their processes can be audited, certified, and registered in compliance with ISO by 3rd parties. For example, in Germany, the Control Union Certifications are accredited for FSSC . FSSC ensures a company adheres to ISO / requirements and provides a certification scheme for food safety and quality management systems.

Regulation (EC) / - EU

(EC) / - EU is a European regulation that governs materials and objects, including plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone hoses, intended for contact with food and beverages.

FDA, 21 CFR177. - USA

In the United States, the FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, has several regulations that deal with plastics, rubbers, and metals that come in contact with food and beverages. One of these regulations is CFR177.. This regulation deals with rubber and rubber-like compounds and whether or not they are suitable for food-grade components.

Food-grade hose materials

Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic rubber. Additionally, they have an internal spiral wire made from stainless steel that provides strength and durability to the overall assembly.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic hoses are made from flexible plastic polymer materials tolerant to heat and chemicals. These hoses are suitable for transferring and processing various liquid food products, juices, beer, wine, water, pastes, and syrups. The primary materials under this category are polyurethane, PVC, and PTFE.

Rubber

The durability of rubber food-grade hoses makes them excellent for demanding, heavy-duty food transfer applications. Like thermoplastic hoses, rubber hoses are designed to handle the suction and discharge of various liquid food products and edible grains. The most common rubbers used are NBR and EPDM.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an excellent alternative for applications that do not require flexible hosing. Stainless steel is easy to clean and widely used in the food and beverage tube industries. Typically, the material meets and exceeds the requirements of food and beverage safety standards.

Figure 3: Stainless steel piping used in beverage and food-processing facilities.

Selection criteria

A good quality food-grade hose will not merely transport food, but it will preserve its integrity and quality during the process. When selecting food-grade hoses for a particular application, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the hose is safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

  1. Material composition and regulations:Common materials used in food-grade hoses include PVC, silicone, rubber, and polyurethane. The material should be compliant with FDA, USDA, or other applicable regulations for food-grade products.
    1. Food-grade hoses used in the UK and Europe must comply with the standards outlined in (EU) No.10/ and (EC) No./ for food contact applications.
    2. Food hoses intended for transferring drinking water must also be approved by NSF51 and NSF61.
    3. In the US, food-grade hoses must be made from materials that are FDA-approved.
  2. Temperature: For high-temperature applications, materials such as silicone, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures up to 400°F (204°C) and sometimes higher. For instance, silicone hoses are widely used in baking, candy making, and other high-temperature food processing applications. For low-temperature applications, materials such as PVC, polyurethane, and rubber are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C).
  3. Pressure: Choose a food-grade hose with a pressure rating that matches the pressure requirements of the application. For example, a high-pressure hose may be required for transferring thick or viscous liquids, while a low-pressure hose may be suitable for transferring thin liquids, such as water or beer.
  4. Flexibility: Flexible food-grade hoses are easier to install and are less likely to break, which can prevent contamination of the food or beverage being transferred. Flexible food-grade hoses are typically made from materials such as silicone, PVC, and polyurethane, and they can be reinforced with wire or other materials to enhance their flexibility and durability.

Applications

Food-grade hoses are utilized in any situation where food or drink must be moved from one location to another. They can be found not only in food processing facilities but also in other settings such as pubs, restaurants, and breweries. Additionally, food hoses are used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their capacity to transfer substances without affecting their aroma or taste. Table 1 shows standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications.

Table 1: Standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications

Material Application Temperature range PVC Ideal for applications where pressure and temperature are limited, such as drinking water, soft drinks, and various raw materials. PVC hoses are transparent, lightweight, and flexible. -20 &#;C - 60 &#;C (-4 &#;F - 140 &#;F) PTFE PTFE hoses are ideal where temperature, pressure, or movement are high&#;used for filters and centrifuges, fragrances, and flavorings. PTFE has excellent chemical resistance and is typically easy to clean. -70 &#;C - 260 &#;C (-94 &#;F - 500 &#;F) Polyurethane Hoses made of polyurethane are used with dry and abrasive foods. Polyurethane is resistant to fatty foods and is suitable for dry ingredients such as spices and milk powders. -40 &#;C - 90 &#;C (-40 &#;F - 194 &#;F) NBR For applications needing oil and greaseproof material. Among other applications, NBR hoses are used with dairy products, oils, mayonnaise, and soft drinks. -30 &#;C - 100 &#;C (-22 &#;F - 212 &#;F) EPDM EPDM hoses are commonly used for drinks and juices. Beverages such as beer, soft drinks, and wine are also used with EPDM hoses, which can also be used for high-alcohol beverages. -70 &#;C - 260 &#;C(-94 &#;F - 500 &#;F) Stainless steel Used almost exclusively for applications with high temperatures. Typically expensive to use but offers unmatched reliability, is easy to clean, and can be used for nearly all products. -100 &#;C - 300 &#;C (-148 &#;F - 572&#;F)

FAQs

What makes a hose food grade?

A hose is considered 'food grade' if it meets certain criteria and standards that make it safe for food processing and handling applications.

Is polyethylene tubing safe for drinking water?

Yes, but ensure the tubing is labeled as 'NSF-61' or 'NSF-PW' certified. This means that it has been tested and approved for use in potable water applications by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

What is a food-grade water hose?

A food-grade water hose is designed for use in food and beverage applications where the hose will come into contact with potable water. They are typically constructed of materials like PVC, polyurethane, or rubber approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA.

Is vinyl tubing food safe?

Vinyl tubing can be suitable for some food and beverage applications, but not all vinyl tubing is rated for use with food and potable water.

What is an FDA-approved plastic?

The FDA provides guidelines for food contact materials, including plastics. Some plastic types that are commonly used for food packaging and have received FDA clearance include Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

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