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FOOD PROCESSING & PACKAGING MINIMISE RISK BY MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE


undertook an extensive test that involved investigating behind and round mounted bearing units in a typical food processing setting.


Sealed bearings prevent lubricant leakage. The picture below shows both lubricated and sealed bearings


Alan Stewart, Rubix Bearing Product Manager – SKF Products, looks at some of the challenges bearings face in the food and drink industry, and what can be done to overcome them


S afety is a key issue in most


manufacturing and industrial processes, but when it comes to food and drink, safety concerns go far beyond just staff, covering the safety of every aspect of the food item, with contamination prevention being a top priority.


The good news is that contamination can be controlled by proper cleaning and sanitisation so, for processing plants, ensuring machinery is not a potential cause of contamination is a must. In the food and drink industry, factors such as the design of bearings should be chosen carefully to avoid giving places for microorganisms to grow.


Regulations and standards Bearings have a core mechanical role to play in the food and drink sector. Yet, they also have a significant part to play when it comes to complying with strict regulations and hygiene standards, which have recently been put in the spotlight following a spate of food safety scares that have dominated the headlines.


Food product recalls are a real concern for businesses and consumers alike. Last year, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported around 150 food recalls for reasons including undeclared allergens, metal contamination, and the presence of harmful pathogens. More recently, Salmonella


24 OCTOBER 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL


contamination sparked concern. Food safety hazards typically fall under three categories: chemical, physical, and biological contamination, with the latter involving microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria which can cause “food poisoning” and pose a threat to human health. With possible disease hazards including Salmonella, E.coli, Clostridium botulinum and Listeria monocytogenes, to name but a few, prevention of biological contamination is essential to limit food-borne diseases.


Researching the key issues To get closer to the key issues surrounding bearing contamination SKF, a bearings supplier to the food and drink sector, recently


This was to identify levels of contaminants and where they are typically found. Results revealed contaminant levels to be high, even after washdown; in some cases, contaminant levels increased after washdown. Similar results were found in bearing end covers. The independent test results revealed food residue trapped behind the bearing mounted unit and inside the cavity through the shaft gap during processing and pressure cleaning; as it doesn’t fully dry post cleaning, it can foster the growth of bacteria. These bacteria can spread in multiple ways, lingering in the air for several hours and then settling on equipment post disinfectant stage; getting stuck in the bearings grease; and, being distributed by the washing process itself.


Preventing contamination All bearings need lubrication but with that comes potential risk. Lubrication contamination can occur regardless of facility size, operating procedures, and the training and experience of maintenance staff on-site. All it takes is one microorganism particle to penetrate the bearing lubricant. This makes the margin of error for preventing lubrication contamination very small. However, there are some steps to minimise the risk.


When it comes to bearings, the main source of concern in terms of contamination lies in the lubricant used within. To address this issue, high-quality food-safe lubricants, that are NSF, Halal, Kosher and CFUA approved, should be used. Greases that are free from allergens as listed by the EC are also very important. Where there is potential for incidental food contact, NSF category H1 lubricants are essential. Applying the correct amount of lubrication, at the right time, is also a major consideration; you want to ensure the bearing is lubricated sufficiently to perform to its best capacity, but not so much that it risks contaminating the product or dripping on the floor and becoming a slip hazard. To combat these issues, there are options other than manual lubrication available. The use of an automatic lubrication system can deliver accurate lubricant quantities for increased HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) compliance. However, for the ultimate safety solution, relubrication- free bearings dramatically reduce the risk of potential food contamination both from the lubricant itself and from the bacteria growing on the lubricant. SKF Food Line Blue Range bearings, for example, are lubricated for life and are designed to withstand the use of penetrative caustic-based cleaning fluids


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