SQF Compressed Air Purity Testing

REQUIRED BY SQF CODE 8.2 (8th Edition of SQF code just released, we are working to update the requirements on this page for our customers)

• Verify and validate air is not a source of contamination
• Test at a minimum of annually
• Air compressor should use food grade oil where indirect or direct contact with the product will occur

RECOMMENDED BY SQF CODE 8.2

• Air should be filtered at point of use, filter size recommended is 0.1 micron (for most uses)
• Source of contaminants to be considered are microbiological, non-viable particulate, moisture, oil and chemical as well where applicable

REFERENCE SITED BY SQF CODE 8.2

• ISO 8573-1:2010 is listed as a very good reference…for quantifying air quality

•  OVER TESTING TO CLEAN ROOM AND STERILE STANDARDS SUCH AS ISO 8573 [1:2:1] or [2:4:2] is almost always unnecessary for the food sector and not specified by any certification body in the food, beverage or packaging industry.
• Over testing is costly leading to increased maintenance, additional  system components and unwarranted corrective action procedures.
• Running an initial baseline test is a great start to setting up a specification that meets your needs.  

SQF Compressed air purity is essential to many manufacturing, food processing, bottling and packaging operations.  High-quality compressed air provides energy for pneumatic conveyer and handling systems that transport liquids and powders during the production cycle. Compressed air influences the safety of wrapping, sealing, labeling and palletizing these products for shipping or storage. SQF Compressed Air Purity is critical for providing food products and packaging that are not only cost effective to process but safe to eat or drink.

FDA cites the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) framework, and GFSI recognized certification schemes such as Safe Quality Food (SQF), as a valuable tool for supplier verification.  The food, beverage, and packaging industry can apply principles of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system and a risk analysis.

Compressed air is a Critical Control Point (CCP) and includes direct contact or indirect contact with a food or beverage product.  SQF has not established acceptable limits for compressed air purity. TRI Air Testing suggests performing a baseline test on new or untested systems to help determine the appropriate specification requirements for SQF Compressed Air Purity.  TRI offers a variety of food grade compressed air testing options for direct product contact or indirect product contact including oil, particulate, moisture/dewpoint, hydrocarbons and microbiological (mold/bacteria) testing. We offer compressed air baseline tests created around ISO 8573-1 :2010 and determined by the use of the compressed air.

TRI is in compliance with ISO 17025.  TRI is ANSI/ISO/ASQ 9001-2008 and ISO 17025-2005 compliant, an AIHA-LAP, LLC accredited laboratory and participates in a compressed air quality proficiency program. TRI Air Testing Quality.

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* If your specification requires a breakdown of oil mist from particulate a 48 hour turnaround is required to meet this specification.

** Wikipedia HACCP Reference