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Share the expertise

Machines and Processes for Safe Food is the theme of the EHEDG seminar on September 14th at Drinktec, Munich. State-of-the-art engineering tools for hygienic design of both machinery and processes are essential for safe food and beverage manufacture. EHEDG speakers involved in work groups will share their expertise and know-how on this and related topics. See programme details.

Fees are €200 for members and €400 for non-members, including a day-ticket, handouts and the fair catalogue. You can register now at www.ehedg.org/f_conference.htm.

There will be simultaneous interpretation of conference proceedings in German and English. Take time to meet and speak with members at the EHEDG Stand B5/101 from 12 to 17 September.

Seminar preview: Requirements for aseptic processes

Dr G Hauser, Technical University of Munich

In recent years aseptic processing of food has increased greatly. One example is the cold aseptic filling of products such as water, ice tea or apple juice that are sensitive to micro-organisms and that would lose quality significantly by, for example heating.

For this purpose, designers of food-processing machinery and equipment need basic guidelines to define aseptic requirements in addition to the essential application of hygienic design. For open processes such as filling, the areas around the filler equipment play an important additional role as a source of potential cross-contamination.

Dr Hauser’s lecture will discuss the basic requirements on equipment for closed and open processes. In this connection, it is very important to define the aseptic zone and its borders. Another key point is to avoid the aseptic zone becoming contaminated with product or any matter that has not been sterilised. In addition, once the sterility of the aseptic area has been established it must be maintained during processing.

These requirements are also reported in the upcoming guideline ‘Design principles for equipment and process areas for aseptic food manufacturing’, produced by the subgroup Design Principles. www.ehedg.org/f_guidelines.htm