FDA Requirements for Compressed Air

by Jeff Deming
(Boyne City, MI)

I work for a Chocolate and Confectionary organization which utilizes a SpeedAire compressors for a shaker table, coin stamping machine, hillards, melters, and some other minor equipment.

We don’t know of any know requirements for air quality from the FDA but we do know that the FDA would not want industrial oils on any food products.

Therefore, we are wondering how we would test our current compressor to make sure no containment could make it to any food. Additionally, maybe there is an FDA oil which would eliminate any concern for this compressor.

---

Bill says...

Hello Jeff.

If your compressor is oil lubricated then you can be certain that compressor oil is discharging from your compressor along with the air. If that air is blowing on the food product, then you are contaminating it with compressor oil.

Compressor oil is not edible.

It's the same issue that dentists face. To purchase a true "dental compressor" is often perceived as hugely expensive when a DIY type compressor sells for a few hundred dollars. If they use the DIY compressor and don't properly treat the air, then the dentist is spraying compressor oil into their patient's mouth as they work.

The amount of oil will vary depending on the age and condition of the compressor, yet every oil lubed compressor will add oil to the compressed air stream.

However, a coalescent filter can be used to rid the air stream of oil.

As to the FDA compressor oil, you would have to check with the compressor manufacturer. I don't know of any myself.

Good luck.

Bill