This article was originally published on June 17, 2024, and updated on April 30, 2025.
If you work in any industry that involves food, beverages, pharmaceuticals or biotechnology, your primary challenge is to implement and maintain strict sanitary control over your entire operation. This is your primary defense against product contamination and safeguarding public health. That means every aspect of your manufacturing process, including the equipment and instruments you use to keep your systems running smoothly, must also meet certain sanitary and hygienic standards.
Ashcroft is a globally recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, so we understand the unique requirements our products must meet for use in these highly regulated industries. In fact, as a Product Leader for the company's sanitary product line, I am often asked for guidance during our customers' gauge selection process.
In this article, you will learn more about the unique safety challenges of these highly regulated industries, the safety standards that are designed for public protection and some factors to consider when selecting the best sanitary gauge for your needs. When you are done reading, you will also be directed to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge of pressure gauges in general.
Sanitary pressure gauge safety requirements
Due to the public health risks, preventing contamination is arguably the biggest challenge for industries making products that are safe for consumption. Regulatory guidelines were created to help manufacturers achieve and maintain strict sanitary conditions throughout the entire manufacturing, transportation and distribution processes. These guidelines also apply to any equipment or instruments used in these processes, including the sanitary gauges that monitor and control system pressure in different stages of production.
Some examples of standards and guidelines that exist to prevent product contamination and facilitate cleaning and sanitizing operations include:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). GMP regulations were established by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent contamination and maintain product quality throughout the manufacturing process to protect public health.
- 3-A. The sanitary standards established by 3-A focus on the design, construction, and operation of food processing and equipment to ensure they meet a required level of sanitary safety.
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). RoHS regulates the use of certain hazardous substances, including Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) and certifies that these substances are NOT present in products or processes.
Sanitary pressure gauge considerations
When selecting a pressure measurement instrument for any sanitary application, you will want to consider the following four factors:
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Material selection. First and foremost, the pressure gauge you use for sanitary applications must be made from materials that are compatible with the process media. Without the proper material selection, gauge damage or failure may occur. 316L Stainless steel is a common material choice because of its corrosion resistance and hygienic properties.
- Material tracability. You will need to confirm that the manufacturer of your sanitary instrumentation can provide documentation that certifies where the instrument materials were sourced and where they have been used.
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Clean-in-place (CIP) and sterile-in-place (SIP) solutions. Regular cleaning or sterilization of equipment is critical in sanitary manufacturing practices, so your pressure gauge must also be able to withstand the demands of frequent washes.
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Smooth finish. Sanitary gauges must also have a smooth, non-porous, polished finish, with no crevices or areas where contaminants can accumulate and bacteria can grow. Stainless steel is once again an example of a material offering a smooth surface, which is easy to clean and helps prevent contamination.
One example of a product that checks all the boxes is the Ashcroft® 1032 Sanitary Pressure Gauge. This instrument was specifically designed to monitor and control pressure throughout manufacturing systems and help prevent contamination.
In addition to its 316L Stainless steel construction, smooth finish design and CIP/SIP capabilities, this product also offers a Zero External Adjust Feature. This allows for an external zero adjustment during the calibration process and an indication at any point on the scale, including zero, to be adjusted as much as ±5% of span.
Figure 1. Ashcroft® 1032 Sanitary Pressure Gauge
DIN 11851 Hygienic Unions, aka Milk Coupling or Dairy Thread process connections
Globally, the most common screw coupling used in sanitary applications is the DIN 11851 Hygienic Union, also known as Milk Couplings or Dairy Thread connections. These are commonly used in food processing and brewery environments because of their high sanitary standards for preventing contamination and maintaining process integrity.
The Ashcroft® 1033 Sanitary Pressure Gauge with a DIN 11851 hygienic connection was engineered for this specific purpose. It features a 15 microinch (RA) polished diaphragm surface and 316L stainless steel diaphragm and housing, making it ideal for clean-in-place (CIP) or steam-in-place (SIP) operations.
Figure 2. Ashcroft 1033 Sanitary Pressure Gauge DIN 11851 connection
Ready to learn more?
Now that you have more information about what to consider when selecting a sanitary pressure gauge, we realize you may have more questions. Here are a few articles that may be of interest to you.
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How To Identify Your Pressure Gauge and Get the Proper Replacement
- How Does Media Temperature Affect Pressure Transducer Performance?
- How Do I Select the Right Pressure Gauge Range?
- How Often Should I Check the Calibration of My Pressure Gauge?
Contact us to speak with one of our industry experts who can answer other pressure gauge questions. In the meantime, download our guide to learn more.
