The MOCA (material or object in contact with food) and FCM (Food Contact Materials) certifications are essential approvals for materials and objects intended for contact with food. The following objects fall into this category:
The reference legislation is Regulation 1935/2004 / EC which, in article 3, provides that:
“materials and articles, including active and intelligent materials and articles, shall be manufactured in compliance with good manufacturing practice so that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they do not transfer their constituents to food in quantities which could: endanger human health, bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or bring about a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics thereof”.
The primary objective of the Regulation is therefore to minimize contamination along the entire supply chain to safeguard human health. Through the required tests, in fact, the quality of the product is ensured throughout the process, with reference to the processing of the raw material, its storage and its handling.
In the food sector, new foods are increasingly produced and it is necessary to use reliable products, both for the quality of the construction materials and the technology used, to guarantee their safety.
To meet the needs of its customers, CAMLogic obtained the MOCA certification for several of its level indicators, issued after tests carried out in an accredited laboratory.
Which are the MOCA approved instruments? Foods in powder or granules are innumerable, even more so if we consider additives and raw materials to be processed. This variety of chemical and physical properties obviously leads to different applications and solutions.
The rotary lines of level indicators PFG05X and PFG57X, ATEX certified for zone 20/21, can be utilized for the level control of solids. They have all the parts in contact with the product in stainless steel AISI 303 and 304 and are customizable with extensions and paddles to adapt to the peculiarities of each installation.
The PFG57X is preferred especially whenever there is a need for a reduced footprint. It is also available with a tri-clamp connection to process, that allows it to be easily installed or uninstalled and to facilitate the recurring sanitation of some plants.
Where, on the other hand, an ATEX certification for gases in zone 0 is required, the PFG09Z is offered instead. It is another small rotary level indicator, customizable with several options and all the parts in contact with the product in stainless steel AISI 303 and 304.
The capacitive line of level indicators PFG06 is instead recommended for a reduced footprint and when problems are encountered while installing moving mechanical parts. The PFG06 as well is customizable with different extensions and connections to process, including the tri-clamp. Thanks to the adjustable sensitivity it is possible to vary the distance of the intervention from the probe, in order to apply the instrument in contact with different types of powders and granules.
Foods in liquid form are also very common in the everyday life of each of us, just think about milk or water. In such cases as well it is necessary to utilize the most suitable instruments, built with materials that respect the migration limits.
The float level gauges of the PFGLP line, available in ATEX certified versions for dusts in zone 22 or gases in zone 1, that have all the parts in contact with the product in stainless steel, are suitable for any type of liquid with pH > 4,5. They are usually preferred when only one level needs to be controlled.
The same operating principle applies to the CLR20, a float level gauge with a reduced footprint, but which allows for the control of 1 to 3 levels that can be customized on customer request. The latter also has all the parts in contact with the product in stainless steel AISI 316 and it is suitable for contact with any kind of liquid, even with pH < 4,5 and foamy.
Finally, for liquids with even a minimal conductance the CLC40 can be used, which allows for the independent control of two levels thanks to its AISI 316 stainless steel rods and, through the possibility of implementing a signal delay, possible problems of false signals in presence of waves are solved.
The qualifications obtained, such as the MOCA certification, lead CAMLogic to a continuous qualitative, productive and technological improvement of its instrumentation. As in the case of high temperatures and sensors suitable for extreme conditions.