Agribusiness News South Africa

Food grade machinery line launched reducing contamination risks

RS Components, the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc, has launched a new range of RS Pro food grade maintenance products for use in the food processing and catering sector.
Image Supplied: lucas-vasques via
Image Supplied: lucas-vasques via Unsplash

All RS Pro food grade products are registered with the National Sanitisation Foundation (NSF), an international public health and safety organisation, demonstrating risk reduction compliance.

The handling, preparation, processing and packaging of food products require machinery with moving parts that come into contact with foodstuffs. Keeping this equipment clean and lubricated involves the use of non-food chemical products. NSF certification ensures that such products present a significantly lowered risk to health, and, in conjunction with a robust HACCP assessment, may effectively eliminate the risk of contamination to foodstuffs when used appropriately

According to Reshmee Beedasie of FoodTek Solutions, health and safety are top priorities for the food and drink industries. "With the emergence and implementation of international food safety standards such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) and ISO222000 Food Safety Management Systems Standards, the food industry has tools to proactively identify, analyse and manage food safety risks," she said.

Reshmee also added that hazard control in food processing reduces the potential for contamination from both biological agents such as disease-causing and spoilage microorganisms and chemical agents like toxins and carcinogens that could possibly arise from the foodstuffs coming into direct contact with food contact surfaces that have lubricants and grease on them.

"The use of registered food-grade lubricants and grease products are critical in preventing foodborne hazards from occurring," she added.

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