Food Processing - Material Handling Basics

Procuring and maintaining safe, hygienic, FDA-approved food handling equipment is more important than ever. Working with a trusted equipment manufacturing partner alleviates some of the stress that comes with following industry guidelines. The FDA updates its guidelines regularly, so working with a local specialist can ensure that your organization is staying up-to-date on your equipment guidelines while also optimizing your process.

Let’s take a look at some considerations about process equipment:

Screw Conveyors
Screw conveyors are designed to simplify the process of moving viscous fluids in a sanitary fashion while reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Screw conveyors must be designed to work seamlessly alongside existing food processing equipment.

When choosing a partner to work with, you’ll want customization, including the number and type of inlets/outlets, screw type, central tube width, and viewports. All materials and connections need to use FDA-approved materials and be designed for easy cleanability.

Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors are a popular conveyor style for food handling applications. They are found throughout food plants, for applications such as transporting raw ingredients into storage silos, moving raw ingredients out of storage and into production, and moving packaged products into shipping.

Find a partner that provides belt conveyors in a variety of sizes and configurations. You’ll want easy access to the belt and bearings to simplify maintenance and cleaning, including built-in spray bars if desired.

Pump Feeders or Delumpers
Custom pump feeders are designed to move product with a high viscosity level which otherwise become lodged in traditional pumps. Pump feeders that are built around your product needs will have better productive performance over the long-term. High-quality pump feeders paired with delumpers allows for smoother materials without damaging them.