Packaging plays such an important role in consumer safety in the commercial food manufacturing and agricultural processing industries. When storing or transporting large quantities of ingredients, such as flour, sugar or nuts, standard industrial packaging is not quite sufficient; food-grade bulk bags are a necessity.
But what does “food-grade” really mean when it comes to bulk bags? A quick wipe-down of a standard industrial bag before anything is put inside is not good enough. A food-grade classification is a highly regulated, audited standard. Careful control must be exercised at every step of the manufacturing chain, from the raw polymer resins to the last stitch, to eliminate any possibility of chemical, physical or biological contamination.
Custom Bulk Bags (CBB) has just undergone a lengthy process to become a certified manufacturer and supplier of food-grade bulk bags in South Africa. We can produce up to 3.5 million bulk bags annually for food-related businesses across the region. Our bulk bags are built to these exacting standards, keeping your food products secure throughout the supply chain.
What did the food-grade certification entail for us?
Manufacturing food-grade bulk bags is not something that can be done overnight. It requires a huge investment in infrastructure, quality management and hardcore operational overhauls. CBB has spent considerable time and effort creating a cleanroom manufacturing environment that is state-of-the-art and meets the most stringent global food safety standards.
The journey was marked by the total transformation of some assembly lines to meet globally recognised food safety systems. Our food-grade manufacturing protocols are strictly enforced to ensure complete compliance with all of the following criteria:
- Building a positive-pressure environment on the sewing and cutting floors to prevent foreign matter contamination.
- Rigorous foreign object detection using vacuums, visual inspections on high-intensity light tables for a thorough inspection, and metal detectors to ensure no microscopic metallic fragments (such as broken sewing needles) remain.
- Deploying specialised PPE equipment like hair nets, coveralls, beard nets and closed shoes for all employees.
- Upgrading the ablutions and canteen areas to comply with food safety regulations.
- Building designated areas to hold all staff food items.
- Removing all water bottles and food products from the assembly line floor.
- Deep cleaning of all areas and implementing hand sanitisation stations throughout the facility.
- Improved control for traceability of goods.
- 100% virgin polypropylene for our food-grade bags. This means that no trace contaminants or chemical agents can leach from the bag fabric into the food products.
Bulk bags for the food industry
Using certified food-grade packaging is essential for product shelf life, brand safety and regulatory compliance. In particular, food-grade bulk bags will play a vital role for processors of sugar, nuts and flour.
- Sugar and sweeteners – Refined and raw sugar are very hygroscopic (they absorb moisture from the atmosphere readily). If sugar is stored in inadequate packaging, it will cake, harden and be impossible to discharge. CBB’s food-grade bags include special polythene (PE) inner liners to keep the product bone dry, maintaining its granular texture all the way from factory to consumer.
- Nuts (pecans, macadamias, groundnuts) – South Africa is a leading global provider of nuts. These foods are very rich in oils and fats and are, therefore, particularly liable to become rancid if stored in areas with poor air circulation. Insect infestation can also ruin an entire export container. Our food-grade bags provide pristine, puncture-resistant containment to keep pests out and preserve the delicate flavour profile of the harvest.
- Flour and baking ingredients – Flour, starches, and baking powders, like milled grains, are very fine. They are at high risk of sifting (leaking through standard seams), creating explosive dust hazards in warehouses and product loss. CBB solves this problem by using sift-proof technology with filler cords that completely plug the needle holes along the seams so the fine powder is fully contained.
- Vegetables and edible produce – Strict hygiene must be maintained for dried beans, peas and other edible produce to prevent the development of Aspergillus moulds and toxic mycotoxins. We operate a food-grade production line, which ensures a sterile container with the longest possible shelf life of the product, while adhering to local health standards and international export standards.
Your regional source for tailored food-grade packaging
Businesses in Southern Africa are vulnerable to fluctuating exchange rates, delays in international shipping, and port bottlenecks when they purchase food-grade packaging from overseas companies. CBB offers very dependable and affordable options as a fully integrated local manufacturer in South Africa.
Baffled bags, custom spout and discharge configurations, and pre-blown liners are just a few of the bespoke designs we specialise in that work flawlessly with your special food-handling equipment.
By choosing CBB, you are protecting your customer base with world-class food safety packaging and ensuring prompt delivery supported by knowledgeable, practical engineering guidance. Please contact us today for more information about our food-grade bulk bags.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a major South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, including mining, chemicals and agriculture. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE supplier that falls under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za.
