Three things to look for in food grade pumps

Food grade pumps are used for transferring food and beverage products from one location to another. This could be unloading a rail car filled with syrup or transferring high temperature cooking substances like oil. Everyday goods require pumps in their manufacturing process, such as applying coatings to foods like chocolate on a pretzel. Whatever application you have, choosing the right food grade pumps is vital.

Some processing plants which handle food and beverage will have hundreds of different pumps to hand, including centrifugal pumps, self-priming pumps and more. When you are using pumps for food applications, there are certain hygiene standards and guidelines that must be met, and this is what makes some pumps food grade and others not. So let's consider three keys things to look for when selecting a pump for food and beverage production applications.

Manufactured from approved materials: When you manufacture food and beverage products in the UK, you must follow all the legal obligations when it comes to materials used in your equipment. If your products are shipped internationally, your pumps will need to comply with standards for all countries applicable. For example, European countries follow the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) standards, whilst the US requires pumps and materials to be FDA approved. 300-grade stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for food grade pumps UK because it is sterile and easy to clean.

Use the right lubricants: It isn't just the materials of the pump itself that you need to be careful with, but all the other aspects as well. You must make sure your pump is using FDA-approved and food grade lubricants. Pump lubricant is required for protecting your equipment from friction, wear, oxidation, and corrosion, but it is crucial you are using a substance suitable for food applications.

Be careful of shear: Depending on the type of food grade pumps you choose, you might need to consider if shear is going to be an issue with your products. Shear can change the consistency of a product because of excess pressure within the pump. Some food products require a pump which operates gently and doesn't cause shear or changes to consistency. For example, yoghurt should be used in a gentle pump, as a high-speed pump could alter its consistency.

Applied pumps is an established supplier of food grade pumps to the food and beverage sector, with a good example being the Haight E Series gear pump - a product from the clear globally leading brand for the transfer of high temperature cooking oils and fats. These pumps have a ductile iron construction and are reliable at 200degC.

Applied Pumps has also successfully suppled food grade pumps into a host of other food and beverage applications, including: stainless steel centrifugal pumps for brewery duties; stainless steel flexible vane pumps for finished beer transfer where low shear is paramount to prevent foaming; rotary positive displacement pumps for yoghurts, butter injection, preservatives, etc; Victor self-priming pumps for effluent duty at a chocolate manufacturing plant; hygienic air operated diaphragm pumps for syrup dispensing and glucose; and internal gear pumps for chocolate pumping.