Nitrogen that comes in contact with food must comply with strict certifications to guarantee food safety. The most important certifications are ISO 22000, HACCP, and FSSC 22000, which ensure quality assurance and food safety. Additionally, food-grade nitrogen must meet specific purity requirements of at least 99.5% and be free from contaminants such as oil and moisture. European regulations, including the Food Contact Materials Regulation, also impose requirements on gases that come into contact with food. These certifications ensure that nitrogen can be safely used in food production and packaging.
Why are certifications important for nitrogen in the food industry?
Certifications for nitrogen in the food industry and its strict regulations are essential because they guarantee the safety and quality of food products. Nitrogen comes into direct contact with food during various processes such as packaging via Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), cooling, and freezing.
The food industry is a strictly regulated sector where consumer safety is paramount. When nitrogen does not meet the proper purity requirements, contaminants such as oil, moisture, or other gases can enter the food. This can lead not only to quality loss but also to health risks for consumers.
Certifications guarantee that the supplied nitrogen meets specific purity standards and is produced according to standardized processes. They also provide traceability, which is important in case of potential safety issues. For food producers, these certifications mean they can demonstrate compliance with their legal obligations and careful attention to food safety.
Moreover, customers and consumers increasingly expect transparency regarding production methods and materials used. With certified nitrogen, you can demonstrate that you maintain high-quality and safe processes.
What is ISO 22000 and why is it essential for food-grade nitrogen?
ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management systems that is crucial for suppliers of food-grade nitrogen. This certification integrates the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) and establishes specific requirements for organizations in the food chain, including producers of gases that come into contact with food.
For nitrogen producers, ISO 22000 certification means they have demonstrated that their production processes comply with strict food safety standards. The certification covers all aspects of production, from raw materials to delivery, and ensures that adequate controls are implemented to prevent contamination.
The standard requires producers to:
- Systematically identify and manage potential hazards
- Implement preventive measures
- Maintain effective communication with all parties in the food chain
- Pursue continuous improvement of the food safety system
For you as a customer, it’s important to know that ISO 22000-certified nitrogen meets the highest safety standards. This reduces the risk of product contamination and helps you comply with your own food safety obligations. Furthermore, working with certified suppliers often simplifies your own audit processes.
What role does HACCP play in nitrogen for food contact?
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) forms the basis for food safety in nitrogen in the food industry. This systematic preventive approach identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards that are significant for food safety and is specifically relevant for the production and supply of food-grade nitrogen.
For nitrogen applications in food, HACCP focuses on these key areas:
- Identification of possible contaminants (such as oil, particles, or moisture)
- Determination of critical control points in the production process
- Establishment of preventive measures and critical limits
- Implementation of monitoring procedures
- Documentation of corrective actions for deviations
- Verification procedures to confirm effectiveness
- Documentation of all processes and results
In nitrogen generators for food contact, HACCP principles are applied to ensure that the gas is free from harmful substances and meets the required purity. Critical control points include, for example, the air intake, filtration, pressure regulation, and the membrane or PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) system used for nitrogen separation.
By following HACCP principles, you can be confident that the nitrogen you use is safe for application in food packaging, cooling, or other processes where the gas comes into contact with food products.
Are there specific European standards for nitrogen in food production?
Yes, there are specific European standards that apply to nitrogen in food production. The Food Contact Materials Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 is the overarching European regulation that applies to all materials and objects that come into contact with food, including industrial gases such as nitrogen.
Nitrogen used in the food industry falls under the category of “food additives” in Europe and has the E-number E941. As an additive, it must comply with the specifications established in Regulation (EU) No. 231/2012, which defines purity criteria for food additives.
Other relevant European standards include:
- Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene, which requires that all materials in contact with food are produced in a hygienic manner
- The EIGA (European Industrial Gases Association) Document 125 “Guide to the Supply of Gases for Use in Foods,” which provides specific guidelines for gas suppliers to the food industry
- EN ISO 14175 standards, which define the classification of gases for specific applications
For nitrogen used in MAP packaging (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), there are also specific requirements for purity, typically at least 99.5% pure, depending on the specific application. The presence of oxygen usually must remain below 0.5% to prevent food oxidation.
It’s important to know that in addition to these European regulations, individual member states may have additional requirements for their national markets.
How do you verify if nitrogen meets the required certifications?
To verify whether nitrogen complies with all required certifications for food contact, you can follow several concrete steps. Start by requesting a certificate of analysis or declaration of conformity from your supplier, documenting the purity and quality of the nitrogen.
Important aspects to check include:
- Purity level of the nitrogen (minimum 99.5% for food contact)
- Impurity levels (oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.)
- Absence of oil, moisture, and particles
- Validity of quality certifications (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000)
- HACCP implementation in the production process
You can also request test results and calibration reports for measuring equipment. For on-site produced nitrogen with nitrogen generators, it’s important to perform regular quality checks with calibrated oxygen analyzers to verify nitrogen purity.
Ask suppliers for audits and inspection reports by independent bodies. For greater certainty, you can have periodic samples tested by an accredited laboratory to confirm the quality and purity of the nitrogen, especially for critical food processes.
Don’t forget to systematically archive all documentation for traceability and future audits.
Key certifications for nitrogen in food contact: a summary
The essential certifications for nitrogen that comes into contact with food are ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and HACCP implementation. These standards ensure that the nitrogen is produced in a safe and controlled manner and is suitable for use in food processes.
To remain compliant with all requirements, it’s important to:
- Regularly check the purity of the nitrogen
- Keep certification documentation up-to-date
- Align internal processes with food safety requirements
- Train employees in food safety
- Conduct periodic audits
At Presscon, we understand the importance of reliable and certified nitrogen solutions for the food industry. Our nitrogen generators and systems comply with all relevant certifications and standards for food contact. We are happy to help you select the right solution for your specific application, whether it’s MAP packaging, inerting, or other processes in food production.
By working with a certified supplier like Presscon, you ensure that the nitrogen you use meets all required standards, which is essential for the safety and quality of your end products. This allows you to focus on your core activities, with the certainty that your gas supply meets the highest standards for food safety. Contact our nitrogen certification experts for more information about our solutions for the food industry.
