Food Safety and Technological Advances in Electric Motors

This ABB document examines the importance of electric motors in food safety, highlighting technologies, standards, and innovative solutions that meet the highest international requirements in the food and beverage industry.

Key Points

  • 48 million people in the U.S. get sick each year from foodborne illnesses, often linked to bacteria such as listeria and salmonella
  • Food Safe stainless steel encapsulated motors with IP69 protection rating withstand high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning
  • Baldor-Reliance Food Safe motors feature continuous welds and laser-etched nameplates to prevent bacterial growth and data loss
  • ABB has developed and installed over one million washdown motors for the global food sector
  • NSF zone classifications: Zone 1 (direct food contact), Zone 2 (splash), and Zone 3 (dry), each requiring specific motor solutions
  • Energy-saving options include NEMA Premium IE3, Severe Duty IE3, and EC Titanium IE5+ motors with integrated ABB drives