Food & Beverage

Hygienic & Compliant Seals for Food Processing Applications

At Ashton Seals, we supply high-performance sealing solutions for the food and beverage industry, designed to meet strict hygiene, safety and regulatory requirements.

From food processing equipment to fluid handling systems, our seals are engineered to deliver reliable performance while preventing contamination and ensuring product integrity.

Sealing Solutions for Food Processing Applications

We provide sealing solutions for a wide range of food industry environments including:

Food production and processing lines
Dairy and beverage manufacturing
Bakery and grain processing equipment
Meat and poultry processing systems
Mixing, filling, and packaging machinery

Seals used in these applications must maintain cleanliness, durability and resistance to aggressive cleaning processes.

Hygienic Design & Contamination Prevention

Sealing solutions play a critical role in maintaining hygiene in food processing equipment.
For example, rotary shaft seals are essential to prevent the ingress of dirt, dust and contaminants into machinery.

Advanced sealing designs offer:

Smooth, cavity-free surfaces
Reduced risk of bacterial build-up
Improved clean ability
Enhanced operational safety

These features help ensure compliance with food safety standards and protect product quality.

Food Industry Approvals & Compliance

We supply sealing materials that meet key food industry regulations including:

FDA (Food & Drug Administration) compliance
EU Regulation 1935/2004 (materials in contact with food)
USP Class VI (where applicable)
Phthalate-free material options

These certifications ensure that sealing components are safe for direct and indirect contact with food products.

Products for the Food Industry

We supply a comprehensive range of hygienic sealing products including:

O-rings and elastomer seals (FDA-approved materials)
PTFE gaskets and envelope seals
Depositor Seals
D-Seals
Hygienic Seals
Mixer Seals
Tri-Clover Seals
Bonded seals and custom components
Rotary shaft seals (VR seals)
Custom-engineered sealing solutions

Materials such as PTFE are widely used due to their chemical resistance, low friction and suitability for food and pharmaceutical environments

Materials & Performance

Food-grade sealing solutions must withstand demanding conditions including:

Frequent clean-in-place (CIP) and sterilisation processes
Exposure to chemicals, fats, and cleaning agents
Wide temperature variations
Continuous operation in wet environments

We offer materials that provide:

High chemical resistance
Low friction and wear
Long service life
Compliance with food safety regulations

Typical Applications

Our sealing solutions are used in:

Pumps, valves, and pipe systems
Food-grade processing machinery
Filling and packaging equipment
Mixing and blending systems
Hygienic fluid transfer systems

They ensure leak prevention, contamination control and reliable system performance.

Why Choose Ashton Seals?

✔ Trusted UK supplier since 1866
✔ Extensive experience in food and beverage applications
✔ Access to FDA and EU-compliant materials
✔ Technical support for correct seal selection
✔ Bespoke sealing solutions tailored to your application

Technical Support & Enquiries

Need help selecting the right sealing solution for your food application?
📞 Call: +44 (0) 1226 273700
📧 Email: ask@ashton-group.co.uk
Or contact our technical team for expert advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What seals are used in the food industry?
Common sealing solutions include O-rings, PTFE gaskets, rotary shaft seals and bonded seals designed to meet hygiene and regulatory standards.
2. What makes a seal food-safe?
Food-safe seals are manufactured from materials that comply with regulations such as FDA and EU 1935/2004, ensuring they do not contaminate food products.
3. Why is hygienic design important in sealing?
Hygienic design prevents contamination by eliminating areas where bacteria can accumulate, ensuring safe food processing and easier cleaning.
4. What materials are used for food-grade seals?
Materials such as PTFE, silicone, EPDM, and FKM are commonly used due to their chemical resistance and compliance with food safety standards.
5. Can seals be customised for food applications?
Yes, sealing solutions can be tailored to specific machinery, materials and compliance requirements for different food processing environments.