SQF Edition 9 Compressed Air Monitoring
We manufacturer labels that are direct food contact. Wondering if anyone has any insight on the new Edition 9 Compressed Air Monitoring clause. The air that we use at production is only a very small diameter hose with the puff of air designed to keep the stock down through the printing process. We use an outside lab to swab test the surface the air blows on and the air coming from the hose for only mold and contaminants. In your opinion is this sufficient to meet the Edition 9 code requirements. We use a food grade oil in our compressor and it is serviced and maintained frequently.
hope this helps but I work in a facility that manufactures bread & baked goods.
Annually, we would send food contact compress air samples to the lab and test for the following.
1. Yeast & Mold
2. Contaminates such as water/ lubricant/ particles
3. Aerobic plate count
Hi queenb,
We manufacturer labels that are direct food contact. Wondering if anyone has any insight on the new Edition 9 Compressed Air Monitoring clause. The air that we use at production is only a very small diameter hose with the puff of air designed to keep the stock down through the printing process. We use an outside lab to swab test the surface the air blows on and the air coming from the hose for only mold and contaminants. In your opinion is this sufficient to meet the Edition 9 code requirements. We use a food grade oil in our compressor and it is serviced and maintained frequently.
(V8.1) -
13.5.3.1 Where compressed air comes into contact with food packaging or surfaces which contact the food packaging, the following requirements shall be met.
i. Air is filtered using an appropriate filter capable of removing dust, oil, moisture and microorganisms to avoid cross contamination to the packaging material;
ii. A system is in place to monitor the purity of filtered air.
13.5.3.2 Compressed air systems used in the manufacturing process shall be maintained and regularly monitored for purity and completed annually, at minimum.
V8.1 Guidance requirement included -
Compressed air that is in contact with food packaging is checked for purity using methods and at a frequency based on the air quality program and test procedures.
Seemingly in (V9) above Code is transformed to -
13.5.3.1 Dry ice, compressed air, and other gasses (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide) that contact food sector packaging or product contact surfaces shall be food-grade, clean, and
present no risk to food safety.
13.5.3.2 Compressed air and other systems used to store or dispense gases that come into contact with food sector packaging or product contact surfaces shall be maintained and regularly monitored for quality and potential food safety hazards. The frequency of analysis shall be risk-based and at a minimum annually.
And, added to Glossary -
Compressed Air Monitoring: A program that includes particles, water, oil, microbiological,and relevant gaseous testing in compressed air or other gases. A verification of the effectiveness of compressor maintenance and filtration that a management facility has in place.
Logically, if the Glossary is fully implemented, Y&M is seemingly insufficient. However, with SQF I would guess yr chances are 50/50. :smile:
Can anyone in Canada give me an idea where we can test our air please. Our local lab does not test air (they send it out to one of their other Candian branches for testing)
Having a hard time getting my friend Google to help today!
Charles C. thank you for that information. We were hoping to find someone in Canada to test with. I will check this company out though.
Thank you
Hi Bread_Head316
Can you tell me what kind of media you are using to test your compressed air samples?
Thank you.
KBMB
Has anyone able to share the risk assessment conducted for compressed air systems?