Depending on the your industry, there are certain parameters and standards that need to be maintained before purchasing new manufacturing equipment. Certain factory environments maintain safety codes and require strict sanitation efforts to ensure production of their end products.

In the case of consumer goods within the food and beverage world, there are even higher levels of scrutiny and precaution placed on processes within production. Not only are these companies fighting to ensure they deliver product consistency and quota, but they also face near-invisible threats, such as bacteria and contagions.

Operating in the food and beverage industry (or any consumer market for that matter) incurs a slew of obstacles for manufacturers. Motors and production equipment are not immune to microbial contamination. The following protective standards are notably recognized within the food and beverage industry.

1. Ingress Protection (IP) Rating

Established by the International Electromechanical Committee (IEC), Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings were created to standardize the degree of resistance and enclosure protection of electrical equipment. The double-digit system rates equipment based on resistance and permeability of both solid foreign objects and water. The higher the number, the greater the protection.

In the case of food and beverage environments this is especially important when you consider the need for washdown and sanitation of equipment. Motors and production tools must be able to withstand a high degree of spray down in order to eliminate bacteria build-up or foreign object contamination.

To combat this need in the market, brands like LEESON® have developed superior products like the Extreme Duck® Ultra motor that boasts an IP69 rating, the highest protection rating awarded. These motors are completely encapsulated and capable of withstanding heavy spray down thanks to insulated shaft rings.

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2. BISSC (Baking Industry Sanitation Standards Committee)

BISSC is a unique committee that focuses specifically on the sanitation standards of baking equipment. Although initially voluntary standards, BISSC offers two distinct certifications processes; certification and third-party verification. These design standards elevate the quality of production by ensuring equipment is easy to clean and safe for workers as well as end-consumers.

Design focuses under BISSC:

• Surface smoothness
• Non-toxic materials
• Corrosion-resistant surfaces
• Welding, soldering, and joined surfaces
• Sealed or self-lubricating bearings
• Mounting location
• Dust-free wiring systems

For a full list of BISSC design requirements, visit bissc.org.

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3. USDA (United States Department Of Agriculture) Rating

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a hand in delivering approval ratings across a wide range of markets. Their approval, rating, inspections, grades, and marks deliver quality control for countless products we come into contact with on a daily basis.

In certain washdown applications, white epoxy-painted motors are needed in order to protect the motor against caustic washdown solutions. This white-epoxy paint must be USDA rated in order to uphold production standards and safety for the end-consumer. Products like the White Duck™ motor from LEESON offer this USDA rated finish to ensure superior protection and resistance of cleaning solutions.

Food and beverage industry certifications and ratings are not limited to the standards listed above. For more information on industry protections, please Contact Our Experts today. We offer a wide array of washdown motors suited for the food and beverage industry with a range of ratings and protections to meet your specific needs.

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