Are HACCP rules applicable to conveyor belts?
Since Habasit does not work with foodstuff in our manufacturing process, food regulations do not apply to our products, nevertheless, we are constantly aware of these considerations on behalf of our customer. Since people are frequently asking whether the HACCP regulation applies to conveyor belts in the food industry, this blog will break down the rules for whom this hygiene management system does and does not apply.
HACCP and conveyor belts
HACCP, also pronounced as Hessep, stands for Hazard Analyses Critical Control Points and originates from NASA. The objective of HACCP is safety for foodstuffs. Rules for HACCP have been included in the Essential Commodities Act. Applying HACCP includes conducting a hazard analysis. This looks at what can go wrong and what types of contaminations may occur. Contamination can have diverse causes, varying from a lost hair to not being able to properly clean a machine. One contamination will have more serious consequences for the health of the consumer than another. Therefore, following the hazard analysis, a risk analysis is also necessary after which measures can be taken. Compliance with HACCP is a legal obligation for anyone working with foodstuffs. We at Habasit do not work with foodstuffs and so the HACCP rules are neither applicable to us nor to our products. But by issuing Declarations of Compliance (DoC) for our food conveyor belts Habasit supports customers in complying with the HACCP requirement for safe food production equipment.
Contamination
However, we think along with our customers in the area of food safety and thus HACCP is a factor we always consider. I recently advised a customer who was having trouble being able to adequately clean their machine. This involved a modular belt and they could not properly clean the belt around the rods. The rods were tightly stuck in the holes and the food residues that accumulated in between were not properly washed away during the cleaning process. This presented a risk of contamination. I advised the customer to replace the belt by a modular belt with oval holes. These oval rod holes provide room for purging and so the belt could be kept clean and contamination is prevented.
So in short, Habasit does not work directly in accordance with HACCP, but we are ready to help you find whatever solution is necessary to comply with this regulation. In case of questions and/or for additional information in regard to food safety, please download our flyer EU food regulations or contact us for personal support.
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