Processed Air Ensures Food Quality

In this study, a DX filter, a BX filter, and an SA filter were autoclaved, dried, and cooled. Air from the normal compressed air supply was passed through the filters and allowed to impinge on a Gelman membrane filter for 20 minutes. The filters were subjected to recovery methods for fungi (yeast and mold), mesophilic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and thermophilic aerobic and anerobic bacteria. In all instances, the filtered air displayed no presence of microbial air contaminants downstream of the grade SA filter. These filters have been accepted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants. They are easy to use, are readily sterilized, and provide the same ease of operation as the coalescing air filter described above.

Steam Filters

Direct steam injection using culinary steam in food processing is an effective method to warm food and reduces the speed of production because the product absorbs the heat more rapidly. Culinary steam “should be free of entrained contaminants (e.g., excess condensate, rust, pipe scale, and boiler feed water additives) and relatively free of water in liquid form.”2

Accepted practices require that the filters used should be nontoxic and should not release media, toxic volatiles, or other contaminants into the steam. The bonding materials should be nontoxic, non-volatile, and insoluble under the intended conditions of use.2 Accepted practices require the filter to be capable of removing 95% of particles that are 2 µm or larger with an associated condensate trap. Presents an overview of a system for direct steam injection.2

Cahoon Farms (Walcott, N.Y.), a manufacturer of private label applesauce, recently described an example of the use of a coalescing filter for the purification of steam for direct steam injection.3 This filter system provides steam with an efficiency of 98%, removing all particles of rust, pipe scale, and other contaminants.

These filters are in full compliance with the 3A accepted practices (609-04) for producing culinary quality steam. In addition, they meet the regulations for Indirect Food Additives used as Basic Components for Repeated Use Food Contact Surfaces as specified in 21 CFR 177, Current Good Manufacturing Practices 21 CFR Part 110, and have been accepted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants.

Powerful, Efficient, Effective

The filters meet the requirement of accepted practices and the requirements of regulatory agencies and have been accepted for use in a variety of production processes ranging from milk, meat, and chicken to apple sauce. Use of these filters provides a continuous process and requires a minimum amount of operator interaction. In addition, because external power is not required, operating costs are low.

These specifically designed filters, which consist of a matrix of borosilicate glass microfibers in a fluorocarbon resin binder, provide a powerful, efficient, and effective method of removing impurities from compressed air and steam as well as microorganisms in sterile air.

Froehlich works for Peak Media and Mahan is from Parker Hannifin Corporation, Filtration and Separation Division. For more information, contact Mahan at [email protected] or (978) 858-0505.

References

1. 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. 3A 604-05: Accepted practices for supplying air under pressure in contact with milk, milk products, and product contact services. McLean, Va.: 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.; 2004.
2. 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. 3A 609-03: Accepted practices for a method of producing culinary steam. McLean, Va.: 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.; 2004.
3. MAP Sterile Air Filters-A, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Filtration and Separation Division, Haverhill, Mass., November 2007.