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Often times, food manufacturing plants will have multiple conveyor lines running next to or near each other. Each conveyor line may be handling different products, and in many cases, it is imperative that the two substances do not mix. For example, one line may be assisting with processing and packing pretzels, while the line next to it is processing a peanut brittle product. In today’s society, food allergies abound, which makes it very important for the food manufacturing facility to eliminate food contamination between these two lines.
In an additional effort to eliminate food contamination, food manufacturing plants are also required to wash down their equipment and manufacturing space on a consistent basis. If wash down is in progress, it has the potential to shut down an entire area of manufacturing space due to issues such as overspray that may come into contact with lines that are not the focus of the current wash down process. Running a food manufacturing process right next to, and unguarded from, a wash down can put the product at a huge risk for food contamination.
One way to handle these issues is to build a wall or other permanent partition between the two lines. However this can be costly, and does not allow for any space flexibility. Once this wall is built, it will always be there. Another option for space division is a food grade industrial curtain wall. Food grade industrial curtain walls can form a solid barrier between the two lines, but allow flexibility by running on a track. When the lines need to be separated, the food grade industrial curtain walls can be drawn out. However, when there is no need for separation, they can be stored at the end of the track system. This allows for ultimate flexibility in space division, which is a great asset to most manufacturing facilities.
Additionally, food grade industrial curtain walls utilize a variety of custom features, in an effort to comply with food safety and compliance guidelines. All hardware (track, mounting hardware, and grommets) is stainless steel. This assists with eliminating the threat of rust during wash down cycles. The PVC vinyl used to make the curtains is non-porous, and there are no sewn edges or hems. These precautionary measures take away porous materials that could foster bacteria growth. Food grade industrial curtain walls can easily be constructed in a way that makes them safe for use within food manufacturing plants.
Food contamination and foodborne illness prevention are essential to the success of food manufacturers and the safety of its consumers. Therefore, mitigating risks on the manufacturing level is critical. At AmCraft Manufacturing, we understand the importance of food grade industrial curtain walls and the role they play in the food manufacturing industry. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create an efficient workflow within your food manufacturing plant.
