Food Grade Hose - Buyers Guide

Food-grade hoses play a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverages produced. Organizations such as HACCP, FDA, CDC, and SHIPSAN enforce regulations to prevent product contamination. Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials like polyurethane, PVC, and thermoplastic rubber. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, making it essential to choose the proper hose for each application, including the transportation of highly fragrant products. This article discusses the main features, materials, certifications, and applications of food-grade hoses.

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Table of contents

• Why do I need a food-grade hose?
• Food-grade certifications and regulations
• Food-grade hose materials
• Selection criteria
• Applications
• FAQs

Why do I need a food-grade hose?

Food-safe hoses enable the safe and hygienic transfer of liquid and dry bulk food materials. These hoses protect food products from external contaminants during the transfer. Because these hoses come into contact with food products, it is crucial to use the appropriate hose material to prevent any contamination of foreign substances into the food products. Therefore, the hose must adhere to specific standards to avoid deterioration that could potentially impact the quality, aroma, purity, or taste of the food products flowing through it. While they may look like other types of hoses, food processing hoses differ from them in the following ways:

• Non-toxic, non-metal construction: Plastics and rubbers offer inherent corrosion resistance, making them ideal for food and beverage operation equipment. Metal components, excluding stainless steel, are often susceptible to corrosion, which contaminates food products.
• Excellent durability: Food-grade hoses are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of food processing facilities (e.g., high temperatures, pressures, and abrasion).
• Pressure capacity: Many food processing operations maintain various pressure conditions. A wide variety of food-grade hoses is available on the market suited for use in vacuum and pneumatic applications.
• Odorless/tasteless design: The food-grade hoses are designed not to add odors to products, contamination, or flavors to the conveyed material, nor do they absorb odors. This helps keep the taste and aroma of the final product intact.

Food-grade certifications and regulations

Food-grade hoses should comply with various standards, regulations, and certifications:

• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): In the United States, the FDA regulates materials like plastics, rubbers, and metals that contact food, with CFR177. specifically addressing the suitability of rubber and rubber-like compounds for food-grade use.
• EU Regulation /: (EC) / - EU is a European regulation that governs materials and objects, including plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone hoses, intended for contact with food and beverages.
• NSF (National Sanitation Foundation): NSF/ANSI 51: Food Equipment Materials is a standard that applies to materials and finishes used in the manufacture of food equipment, which includes food-grade hoses. It specifies requirements for the materials to be non-toxic, durable, and easy to clean.

Food-grade hose materials

Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic rubber. Additionally, they have an internal spiral wire made from stainless steel that provides strength and durability to the overall assembly.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic hoses are made from flexible plastic polymer materials tolerant to heat and chemicals. These hoses are suitable for transferring and processing various liquid food products, juices, beer, wine, water, pastes, and syrups. The primary materials under this category are polyurethane, PVC, and PTFE.

Rubber

The durability of rubber food-grade hoses makes them excellent for demanding, heavy-duty food transfer applications. Like thermoplastic hoses, rubber hoses are designed to handle the suction and discharge of various liquid food products and edible grains. The most common rubbers used are NBR and EPDM.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an excellent alternative for applications that do not require flexible hosing. Stainless steel is easy to clean and widely used in the food and beverage tube industries. Typically, the material meets and exceeds the requirements of food and beverage safety standards.

Selection criteria

A good quality food-grade hose will not merely transport food, but it will preserve its integrity and quality during the process. When selecting food-grade hoses for a particular application, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the hose is safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

1. Material composition and regulations: Common materials used in food-grade hoses include PVC, silicone, rubber, and polyurethane. The material should be compliant with FDA, USDA, or other applicable regulations for food-grade products.
   1. Food-grade hoses used in the UK and Europe must comply with the standards outlined in (EU) No.10/ and (EC) No./ for food contact applications.
   2. Food hoses intended for transferring drinking water must also be approved by NSF51 and NSF61.
   3. In the US, food-grade hoses must be made from materials that are FDA-approved.
2. Temperature: For high-temperature applications, materials such as silicone, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures up to 204 °C (400 °F) and sometimes higher. For instance, silicone hoses are widely used in baking, candy making, and other high-temperature food processing applications. For low-temperature applications, materials such as PVC, polyurethane, and rubber are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F).
3. Pressure: Choose a food-grade hose with a pressure rating that matches the pressure requirements of the application. For example, a high-pressure hose may be required for transferring thick or viscous liquids, while a low-pressure hose may be suitable for transferring thin liquids, such as water or beer.
4. Flexibility: Flexible food-grade hoses are easier to install and are less likely to break, which can prevent contamination of the food or beverage being transferred. Flexible food-grade hoses are typically made from materials such as silicone, PVC, and polyurethane, and they can be reinforced with wire or other materials to enhance their flexibility and durability.

Applications

Food-grade hoses are utilized in any situation where food or drink must be moved from one location to another. They can be found not only in food processing facilities but also in other settings such as pubs, restaurants, and breweries. Additionally, food hoses are used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their capacity to transfer substances without affecting their aroma or taste. Table 1 shows standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications.

Table 1: Standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications

Material Application Temperature range PVC Ideal for applications where pressure and temperature are limited, such as drinking water, soft drinks, and various raw materials. PVC hoses are transparent, lightweight, and flexible. -20 'C - 60 'C (-4 'F - 140 'F) PTFE PTFE hoses are ideal where temperature, pressure, or movement are high'used for filters and centrifuges, fragrances, and flavorings. PTFE has excellent chemical resistance and is typically easy to clean. -70 'C - 260 'C (-94 'F - 500 'F) Polyurethane Hoses made of polyurethane are used with dry and abrasive foods. Polyurethane is resistant to fatty foods and is suitable for dry ingredients such as spices and milk powders. -40 'C - 90 'C (-40 'F - 194 'F) NBR For applications needing oil and greaseproof material. Among other applications, NBR hoses are used with dairy products, oils, mayonnaise, and soft drinks. -30 'C - 100 'C (-22 'F - 212 'F) EPDM EPDM hoses are commonly used for drinks and juices. Beverages such as beer, soft drinks, and wine are also used with EPDM hoses, which can also be used for high-alcohol beverages. -70 'C - 260 'C(-94 'F - 500 'F) Stainless steel Used almost exclusively for applications with high temperatures. Typically expensive to use but offers unmatched reliability, is easy to clean, and can be used for nearly all products. -100 'C - 300 'C (-148 'F - 572 °F)

FAQs

What makes a hose food grade?

A hose is considered 'food grade' if it meets certain criteria and standards that make it safe for food processing and handling applications.

Is polyethylene tubing safe for drinking water?

Yes, but ensure the tubing is labeled as 'NSF-61' or 'NSF-PW' certified. This means it has been tested and approved for use in potable water applications by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

What is a food-grade water hose?

A food-grade water hose is designed for use in food and beverage applications where the hose will come into contact with potable water.

Is vinyl tubing food-safe?

Vinyl tubing can be suitable for some food and beverage applications, but not all vinyl tubing is rated for use with food and potable water.

What is an FDA-approved plastic?

Some plastic types that are commonly used for food packaging and have received FDA clearance include Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

Do you need to transport or convey food or beverages via a hose? Then not just any ordinary hose will do. You'll need a food-grade hose. But what exactly is one? Well, keep reading and The Hosemaster team will tell you everything you need to know about food-grade hoses'

Food-grade hose definition

A food-grade hose (also known as a food-grade tube, or more simply, a food hose), is a type of hose that's used specifically for the conveyance of food and drink products like grains, flour, spices, beer and water.

A good quality food-grade hose will not merely transport food and drink, but it will preserve the food and drink's quality and integrity as it does so.

Food-grade hoses are made from materials which are approved for use with foods and liquids. In the US, food-grade hoses must be made from materials which are FDA-approved.

In the UK and Europe, food-grade hoses must be made from materials that adhere to (EU) No.10/ and (EC) No./, which set out standards for food contact applications. Food hoses that are going to be used for the transfer of drinking water must be NSF51 and NSF61 approved too.

In practical terms, food-grade hoses need to be made from materials that don't impart any smell or taste to the foods and liquids that are conveyed through them.

Where are food-grade hoses used?

Food-grade hoses can be found in use anywhere that food and drink needs to be transported from one point to another.

As such, you'll not only find food hoses in food processing plants, but in other environments such as pubs, restaurants and breweries too.

Food hoses can also be found in use in the pharmaceutical industry thanks to their ability to convey materials without imparting a smell or flavour to them.

What are food-grade hoses made from?

Because food hoses need to be flexible, durable, easy to clean and able to maintain pressure, they tend to be manufactured from one of four types of material; polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), EPDM rubber and polyurethane.

We've detailed the individual characteristics of each of these four materials below.

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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food hoses

Polyvinyl chloride (more commonly known as PVC), is one of the most common materials used for food hoses, as PVC is both light and highly durable. PVC can withstand a broad range of temperatures, from -20ºC to +60ºC.

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PVC hoses are used widely for the conveyance of drinks and liquids, but are not usually used for the transport of fatty foods, as these food types require a heavier grade hose material.

Many of the PVC food hoses that we stock here at The Hosemaster are clear, so that you'll be able to see what's in the tube at a glance.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) food hoses

PTFE is another material which has found widespread use in the manufacture of food hoses. This is because PTFE is a highly-durable and strong material, able to withstand temperatures ranging from -70ºC and +260ºC.

PTFE food hoses also tend to be the easiest to clean, but this benefit is offset for many people by the higher cost of this type of hose.

EPDM rubber food hoses

EPDM rubber (also known by the rather wordy 'ethylene propylene diene monomer'), is a type of synthetic rubber which is both extremely durable and flexible, and able to retain its integrity across a broad range of temperatures, in some cases being as broad as -35ºC to +95ºC.

EPDM rubber food hoses also have excellent resistance to both ozone and light, making them ideal for the conveyance of a wide range of foodstuffs.

Here at The Hosemaster, we stock EPDM rubber food hoses that are ideal for a range of industries including brewing and dairy.

Polyurethane food hoses

If you need to convey fatty or abrasive foods from one point to another, then you'll want to use a food-grade hose made from polyurethane. This is because polyurethane has a molecular structure that is particularly hard and resistant to wear, with excellent abrasion and impact resistance.

You can expect a quality polyurethane food hose to have a temperature operating range of -40ºC to +90ºC.

Can you get reinforced food hoses?

Yes. In order to make them more durable and long-lasting, many food hose manufacturers will reinforce their hoses in a number of different ways.

The different ways that food-grade hoses can be reinforced include:

• High-tensile textile cord.
• Steel wire.
• PVC spiral.

What to look for in a food-grade hose

With all of the above information in mind, what should you be looking for in a food-grade hose?

Whilst there are some properties you'll need to look for in niche use cases, in general you will want your food hose to embody the qualities that are detailed below.

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Flexible and kink resistant

For the majority of food and drink applications, you'll need your food hose to be flexible and kink resistant. The last thing you want is for a food hose to become kinked, disrupting the flow of food/drink.

Abrasion resistant

As food hoses can be used for the conveyance of rough foodstuffs such as grains and granules, it's important that you select a food-grade hose which is highly resistant.

Should a food-grade hose not be able to withstand abrasion, then you'll quickly find that it cracks and leaks.

If you know you'll be conveying rough foodstuffs, it's a good idea to use a reinforced food-grade hose.

Odour resistant

As we mentioned earlier, in order to be compliant with the relevant regulations, food-grade hoses for sale in the UK must be odour resistant.

This means that they won't give the food and drink that passes through them a plastic type smell.

Whilst it may be tempting to use a cheaper, standard PVC hose, you'll quickly regret it as it will almost certainly contaminate your foodstuffs or liquids.

Chemical resistant

Should you be looking to transport fatty or acidic foodstuffs, then you'll want to make sure that your food hoses are chemical resistant.

Chemical resistant food hoses are ideal for environments such as food processing plants where they will have to withstand considerable abuse.

Temperature resistant

Food hoses often find themselves used in locations where fluctuations in temperature are common.

Whether it's a food processing plant that goes from chilly in the morning to hot in the afternoon, or a brewery where it's perpetually cold, it's important that the food hose you select can operate within a broad temperature range.

Pick up the perfect food hose at The Hosemaster

We hope you've found our guide to food-grade hoses useful. If it's made you start thinking about your own food hose requirements, then check out the extensive range of food-grade hoses that we keep in stock here at The Hosemaster.

Shop food-grade hoses at The Hosemaster now

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of Food Grade PVC Hose. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.