2 / 8
2
1. Quality control
The term clean may be synonymous with
sterilisation, but the benefits of clean steam
extend much further. Clean steam is often
used in applications such as sterilisation, not
only to ensure there are no contaminants,
but also to ensure the quality control of
critical attributes such as dryness, superheat
and the production of non-condensable
gases, all of which could adversely affect the
process and equipment.
2. Conformance to HACCP approach
Those concerned with food safety can rest
assured that a clean steam system complies
with regulatory requirements and conforms
to most commercial requirements.
3. Product consistency
With no risk of contaminants, such as
boiler carry-over or particulate matter, food
technologists can be assured of their ability
to deliver consistent quality of the final
product, time after time.
4. Customer and consumer confidence
Clean steam which is consistently free of
boiler water treatment chemical taints,
offers much better assurance for the
consumer, creating a real benefit to major
retailers who are becoming increasingly
aware of the effects filtered steam can have
on the colour and taste of their products.
This in turn creates customer confidence
and protection of the brand.
5. Reduced waste and downtime
Many industrial applications now view clean
steam as their first choice when it comes
to transferring large quantities of energy
over a long distance as it is an economical
source of energy. Clean steam is also easy
and economical to produce, as water is one
of the most accessible natural resources.
What’s more, the reliance on chemicals
previously used to clean the water is
reduced, helping to minimise waste which
results in a positive impact on overall costs.
6. Greater diversity
Clean steam is applied in almost all
applications in industry for heating
purposes, for cooking or preserving foods,
for vulcanising, for heating, or for heating
water. These are just a few examples of
the diverse scope of applications in which
clean steam is applied.
7. Reduced risk
Good food hygiene reduces the risk of food
contamination among consumers. While
this should be taken as a given, major
retailers are increasingly looking for proof
that every possible measure has been put
in place to ensure this remains the case.
8. Flawless reputation
A product recall is a blot on the copybook
of any manufacturer - especially those
producing products meant for human
consumption. Implementing a carefully
managed clean steam process and food
safety regime will help to ensure the
brand’s reputation and consumer trust
remains intact. By introducing clean steam,
food and drink manufacturers are able to
ensure a consistent steam process; one
which maintains the best possible quality
every step of the way.
Steam as an
ingredient
Dear customers,
Spirax Sarco is happy to present to you our new
regional magazine, Blue Steam, which has been
produced to share information with our valued
customers in the Middle East, Africa, and Western
European countries. Blue Steam aims to share
some useful information about steam systems,
our latest Spirax Sarco technologies, as well as
customer’s case studies. For the first time learn
about Spirax Sarco’s capabilities abroad and the
new energy saving opportunities we can help you
with. Finally, test your knowledge with our quiz and
find out how much you know about steam.
We hope you find Blue
Steam to be of interest.
Andy Babbage
Regional Manager
Middle East Africa &
Western Europe
For decades, food and drink manufacturers in the world have
spent countless sums improving the quality of their products
and experimenting with new ingredients. Yet there is one vital
ingredient that repeatedly flies under the radar of even the biggest
FMCG businesses. The quality and purity of steam has been
fundamental to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries for
many years, yet food and drink – two other products designed
for mass human consumption –are often manufactured, treated,
or processed with little or no analysis of the type of steam used.
So why is the quality of steam so important ?
As a substance often injected into food, steam is one of these
potential hazards. We all know that steam is sterile, but not quite
as many realise that possible contamination, both upstream
and downstream of the pipework, runs the risk of affecting
Eight
advantages
of a clean
steam process
the product, and ultimately, proving a hazard to human consumption. The confusion surrounding the difference
between filtered and clean steam could be proving very costly to many businesses – which is exactly where this
white paper comes into play. By understanding the pitfalls of not having a clean steam process in place, what a
clean steam process should look like, and the advantages it can deliver, food and beverage companies should
soon be making sure clean steam sits at the very top of any list of ingredients.