Reducing Contamination and Corrosion Risks in Food and Beverage Equipment

Image Source: Mouser Electronics

By André Moreira, Digital Business & Marketing Transformation Director, Schneider Electric, for Mouser Electronics

Published June 2, 2026

Food and beverage manufacturing is one of the most demanding industrial environments. Equipment must operate reliably despite constant washdowns, exposure to moisture and cleaning chemicals, temperature fluctuations, vibration, dust, and high noise levels. At the same time, manufacturers face strict hygiene, safety, and regulatory requirements, where even minor failures can lead to product loss, downtime, or compliance issues.

As production lines evolve and become more automated, the focus is shifting. It’s no longer enough to keep machines running. Manufacturers must also protect product quality, reduce contamination and corrosion risks, and support safe, efficient operator interactions across the plant.

Why Food and Beverage Environments Are Uniquely Challenging

Food and beverage equipment is exposed to conditions rarely found in other industries. Frequent cleaning cycles can degrade materials, while moisture and chemicals accelerate corrosion. Operators often work close to machines in noisy environments, making clear signaling and ergonomic controls essential for safety and productivity.

These realities demand components specifically designed for hygienic environments—solutions that are easy to clean, resistant to corrosion, and capable of maintaining performance over time. Equally important, controls must be intuitive and comfortable to use, helping operators respond quickly and confidently without increasing fatigue or error.

Filling Lines: Balancing Speed, Accuracy, and Hygiene

Filling machines are central to food and beverage production, where speed and precision must align with strict sanitary requirements. Whether filling liquids, pastes, or powders, any disruption can quickly affect quality or throughput.

Schneider Electric Harmony^® XB5/ZB5 plastic control and signaling units, including wireless pushbuttons and pocket remotes, offer operators mobility along the line, improving responsiveness while reducing the need to access fixed control panels. For hygienic design, plastic pushbuttons, long-handle selector switches, and pilot lights offer smooth surfaces that simplify cleaning and withstand frequent washdowns.

In high-noise environments, audible signaling devices help ensure warnings are noticed when visual indicators alone may be insufficient. Solid-state interface relays further support filling operations by handling high switching frequencies, vibration, and temperature variation without mechanical wear.

Industrial Mixers: Consistency, Control, and Access Management

Industrial mixers play a critical role in maintaining consistent temperature, texture, and product quality. However, they also pose risks related to contamination, corrosion, and unauthorised access.

Schneider Electric XB5S biometric pushbutton switches help restrict access to mixers, ensuring that only authorised personnel can operate or service equipment. Environmental monitoring adds another layer of protection: temperature and humidity sensors enable early insight into conditions that could encourage bacterial growth or compromise product quality.

When quality or process issues arise, hygienic signaling devices with smooth surfaces and quick-connect fittings allow operators and maintenance teams to react quickly—without introducing additional cleaning challenges.

Packaging Machines: Clean, Reliable Operation at High Speed

Packaging machines must operate accurately and quickly while protecting finished products from contamination. Dust, vibration, and noise are common, and components must remain reliable despite repeated cleaning cycles.

Plastic pushbuttons, selector switches, pilot lights, and emergency stop devices support hygienic design and improved ergonomics. Protective accessories such as boots, bellows, and padlocks enhance durability in harsh environments. Clear, color-coded signaling aligned with IEC 60204-1 standards gives operators immediate visibility into machine status.

For conveyor and motion control applications, panel-mounted solid-state relays provide high switching capacity and strong vibration resistance, supporting reliable operation in high-throughput packaging lines.

Grain Silos: Managing Environmental and Safety Risks

Grain silos present additional challenges, including dust, gas, moisture, mould, and explosion risk—often in classified or hard-to-access areas. Monitoring and control are essential to maintaining safety and product integrity.

Temperature, humidity, and CO₂ sensors help detect conditions that could lead to spoilage or hazardous situations, enabling preventive action. Audible and visual signaling devices warn personnel before conveyors start, reducing the risk of accidents.

In hazardous zones, ATEX-certified pushbuttons allow safe control of aeration and ventilation systems. Biometric access control restricts entry to sensitive areas, while wireless control solutions enable operators to manage tasks from a safe distance when working inside or near silos.

Supporting Safer, More Resilient Food and Beverage Operations

As food and beverage production continues to evolve, manufacturers need solutions that do not force trade-offs between hygiene, safety, and efficiency. Equipment must withstand harsh conditions while remaining intuitive and reliable for everyday use. Schneider Electric Harmony control, signaling, and relay solutions are designed to meet these demands—combining robust construction, hygienic design, and ergonomic interfaces to support filling lines, mixers, packaging machines, and grain silos. By addressing both operational challenges and human factors, Schneider Electric’s Harmony range helps food and beverage manufacturers build cleaner, safer, and more resilient operations for the long term.

The blog, “Reducing contamination and corrosion risks in food and beverage equipment,” was first published by Schneider Electric and is reposted here with permission.

André Moreira is the Digital Business and Marketing Transformation Director at Schneider Electric. He helps companies grow by blending engineering, business, and a strong digital and innovation mindset. With experience in industry, both in technical pre-sales and sales, and global roles in digital strategy and product development, he understands how to turn customer needs into business results. He has held diverse roles across engineering, sales, offer management, and digital leadership, giving him a 360° view of how businesses run and grow.