Plastics in Food Processing

The use of plastics pipes in food processing applications calls for the same mechanical and physical properties as are required in other uses. There are, however, a number of additional criteria which have to be considered. Food for human consumption has to meet the numerous regulations which are issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These regulations are very stringent and limit the amounts and types of chemical additive% which may be incorporated in the foods; in addition the food is required to be as described on the package and must present no danger to the consumer. The food manufacturer and processor has, therefore, to maintain strict product control in his operations and it is essential that no adventitious'migration of chemical additives from a plastics pipe into a food should give rise to a hazard or lead to an infringement of t5e food regulations. In addition any pipe installation must be rasi ly clearable and not cause any hold-up or have stagnation areas so that the food which is potentially dangerous an appear in the final product.