• Ensure permanent joints are smooth where joints are in the same plane or curved where they are not.
• Ensure dismountable joints have a true and hygienic fit.
• Ensure projections, edges and recesses are kept to a minimum.
• Ensure internal curves allow thorough cleaning and, where necessary, disinfection.
• Ensure all fluids, including those from foods and cleaning the machine, can be easily discharged from the machine.
• Ensure shafts and seals are self- or product lubricated or use food grade lubricants - ensure they can be cleaned and, where necessary, disinfected.
• Ensure appropriate materials are used in the machine construction - there may be a balance between ease of access for effective cleaning indicating ordinary steel could be used and lack of such access (eg. in enclosed plant) indicating stainless steel could be used.
Don’ts:
• Don’t allow dead spaces or bends in pipe work in the food area which allow product to accumulate if this is unavoidable, then ensure good drainage and cleanability.
• Don’t allow bearings in the food area unless this is unavoidable - use food grade lubricants and ensure cleanability and, where necessary, disinfectability.
• Don’t use screws, screw heads and rivets in contact with food.
• Don’t allow liquids, pests or organic matter to enter parts of machines which cannot be cleaned.
• Don’t allow ancillary substances (eg. lubricants) to come into contact with the food.