Consumer expectations and stringent health regulations increasingly challenge food manufacturers to guarantee higher food grade and hygiene standards. However, harsh chemicals and high-pressure sprays used in clean-in-place (CIP) procedures can quickly deteriorate product reliability.
To avoid recalls costing up to $10 million, on average, producers must take a proactive approach to control and prevent foodborne illnesses. Having the right processes in place, and equipment that is designed around food safety principles is critical. This is especially true for smaller components, like bearings, that are highly susceptible to failure due to grease washout and corrosion.
Bearings in the food and beverage industry once required end covers to maintain IP69 hygiene standards for water. Dodge® FoodSafe™ bearings are the first bearings on the market to meet this requirement without the use of an end cover.
FoodSafe Bearings Must Meet IP69 Ratings
To be considered “food safe,” bearings must meet the Ingress Protection (IP) 69 rating for water. This rating, according to IEC regulations, has quickly become the sanitary standard for operations in harsh washdown environments. Products rated for IP69 (for water) must pass strict testing to prove they are protected against high temperature and high-pressure spray at close proximity.
IP69 Rating Test Procedures
- 176 Fahrenheit
- 1160 – 1450 psi
- Distance: 4 – 6 inches
- Flow rate: 4 gallons per minute
- 5 r/min
- 4 spray positions; 0, 30, 60, 90 degrees
- 30 seconds per position
To meet the IP69 rating (for water), a bearing cannot allow any water past the seal under the extreme test parameters outlined above.
Defend Against Caustic, High-Pressure Cleaning & Sanitation Processes
Aggressive cleaning and sanitation practices are also necessary to meet food-grade regulations. However, these processes can be extremely tough on equipment.
Dodge FoodSafe bearings are resilient against the caustic chemicals and high-pressure washdown used in sanitation practices. The bearings’ 100% stainless steel insert design combined with a revolutionary topcoat, KleenTec, offers superior protection against corrosion.
The smooth housing, without a grease fitting, minimizes contamination harbor points and is easy to clean. The bearing is also sealed and lubricated for life to minimize maintenance costs.
Don’t Let Bearings Below Food Grade Standards Be The Weak Link In Your Production Chain
Get A 1-Year Warranty Against Dodge Bearing Failure Due To Water Ingress – Dodge FoodSafe bearings are available in a variety of housing styles, including pillow block, tapped base, flange, and take-ups ranging in sizes from ½ inch (20mm) up to 1-15/16 inch (50 mm). Dodge is so confident in their design that customers can register their FoodSafe bearings to receive a one-year warranty against failure due to water ingress.
To learn more about how Dodge FoodSafe bearings can improve reliability for your clean-in-place procedures, Contact your local IBT sales rep today!