Understanding Food and Beverage Grade Pumps: Global Pumps' Insights and Recommendations

There are a variety of features that make a pump food grade. Some considerations for selecting a food-grade pump include:

• Compliance with national standards to maintain integrity
• Viscosity and temperature of product to be pumped
• Suction and discharge requirements
• Frequency of product being pumped
• Presence of solids or abrasive substances
• Flow rate required
• Cleaning requirements. 

What does it mean to be food and beverage approved?

Pumps are used throughout the food and beverage industry to transfer, mix, and dose ingredients in processing and production of consumable goods. When purchasing a new pump for any food handling, it is critical the pumps are approved for appropriate use. Global Pumps has a variety of pumps available that are food and beverage approved.

What is food and beverage approval?

There are several types of food pumps available in the market, but not all are officially approved for food and beverage use. To be approved, you need a pump that is made from food grade materials, such as stainless steel, that can be easily sterilised and meet the regulations for food production. The pumps should have smooth surfaces to prevent contamination from bacteria build-up and maintain hygiene requirements. Pump seals, housing and gaskets used within the pump must also be approved, as are any lubricants.

The most common certification for pumps is FDA and EHEDG, for food and beverage use.

In addition to material and hygiene requirements, your chosen pump should be designed to handle the type of product being pumped. Thicker substances such as molasses or maple syrup, require a food processing pump that can handle viscous fluids, such as a helical rotor pump. In contrast, if you are wanting to pump substances such as ice-cream or yoghurt, you must be mindful that you need a pump with a gentle flow to not damage any fillings, such as a peristaltic hose pump.

Different types of Food and Beverage Grade Pumps:

Global Pumps has a variety of pumps available:

• Air operated diaphragm pumps : leak-free pumping, various flow rates and discharge pressures available. Suitable for drum and container transfer.

• Centrifugal pumps : successfully handles large quantities of fluids and high flow rates. Stainless steel construction, and suitable for general transfer, food processing, dairy and winemaking.

• Food Grade Drum pumps:

   portable pump option, suitable for transferring thin to low viscous liquids such as fruit acid

• Helical rotor pumps:  smooth, even performance with reduced vibration and pulsation. These pumps do not overwork products, guaranteeing integrity and quality.

• Lobe pumps:  successfully handles abrasive and thick liquids/pastes as well as fluids containing fragile solids. Stainless steel design.

• Food grade dosing pumps:  adjustable flow rates. Suitable for chemical dosing or flavouring dosing.

• High Viscosity Food Grade Pumps/Peristaltic hose pumps: popular choice due to their ability to transfer liquids containing up to 80% matter and viscous fluids. Best suited for beverages and dairy. Please note, the hose is the only part of the pump that connects with the product, therefore avoids contamination.

Global Pumps YouTube channel: Two Verderair Diaphragm Pumps for Seamless Food & Beverage Processing

It is crucial to take into consideration, as to what exactly makes a pump food grade. Here at Global Pumps we stock a wide range to choose from. Are you not sure what pump you’re after? Get in touch with us today for help in selecting the right pump for your application.