Define the contamination risk and cleaning method before selecting machinery. Product-contact materials, surface finish, seals, joints, dead spaces, drainage, access and cleaning verification must match the product and site hygiene plan.
Why this matters
A machine described as stainless steel is not automatically hygienic. The complete product path and adjacent framework, guards, conveyors, fasteners and services affect cleaning time and contamination control.
Decision table
| Design area | Questions | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Product contact | Which materials and seals contact product? | Material schedule |
| Geometry | Are joints smooth, accessible and drainable? | Design review and inspection |
| Cleaning method | Dry clean, manual wash, COP or CIP? | Cleaning procedure and trial |
| Access | Can operators inspect without unsafe dismantling? | Access demonstration |
| Changeover | How are allergens or high-risk residues controlled? | Line-clearance and verification records |
Information to collect first
- Describe product hazards and residues.
- Define cleaning chemicals, temperature and frequency.
- List food-contact or regulated-material requirements.
- Identify parts requiring removal.
- Set drainage and drying expectations.
- Agree verification and inspection points.
Recommended method
- 1
Review hygienic risk during design.
- 2
Trial cleaning with the real product.
- 3
Measure dismantling, cleaning and reassembly time.
- 4
Control spare seals and product-contact parts.
- 5
Document approved cleaning and changeover.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Specifying stainless steel without grade or finish.
- Creating horizontal shelves and trapped liquid.
- Ignoring non-product-contact areas that can drip or shed contamination.
- Using cleaning chemicals incompatible with seals.
- Approving dry tests for sticky or allergenic products.
Questions people also ask
What is CIP?
Clean-in-place cleans a defined product path without dismantling; it requires suitable circuit design, flow and validation.
Is manual cleaning acceptable?
It can be, where access, repeatability, safety and verification meet the site requirement.
Do cosmetics need hygienic design?
Many cosmetic and personal-care products require strong contamination and cleanability controls even where food rules do not apply.
What should be tested at FAT?
Access, dismantling, drainage, cleaning sequence, reassembly and any agreed verification using representative product.
Continue to the appropriate specialist route
Use the links below after defining the product, pack, output and acceptance criteria.