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2 Uses of Chemicals in the Food and Beverage Industry
Allowed functions of E330 (citric acid monohydrate) in food products and correlated dangers for food operators should be considered. A simple analysis (derived
from normal safety data sheets available for E330) demonstrates that dangers depend
on several factors, but the targeted people under risk appear to be the main factor of
the problem.
In brief (phrases have been modified with the aim of a simple comprehension)
(European Parliament and Council 2008; SSTI 2013):
• Citric acid is classified as ‘Serious eye damage/eye irritation, Hazard Category 2;
hazard statement: H319’ according to the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
• The following precautionary statements have to be considered:
P280: Wear eye protection/face protection
P305+P351+P338: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing (if E330 is in contact with
eyes)
P337+P313: Get medical advice/attention (if eye irritation persists).
In addition, the following adverse reactions should be expected in order to
implement adequate first aid measures:
• If consumption has occurred, rinse mouth with water (if swallowed); search for
immediate medical help/advice and show related E330 container. Do not induce
vomiting.
• If eye contact has occurred, first, rinse with plenty of water for several minutes
and then search for immediate medical help.
• If inhalation has occurred, remove the person to fresh air and keep at rest.
• If skin contact has occurred, remove contaminated clothes; rinse skin with plenty
of water or shower; then search for immediate medical help.
As a consequence (handling and storage precautions), it is recommended to keep
away E330 from food, drink, and animal feeding stuffs, and do not smoke. Handling
in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice is extremely recommended. Also, E330 has to be and remain well sealed in its original container well
sealed, in a dry and ventilated area, away from potential fire/ignition sources.
Some additional information can be provided when speaking of incompatible materials (oxidizing mineral acids, strong reducing agents, strong oxidizing
agents) and hazardous decomposition products (CO 2 and other unidentified organic
compounds which may be originated upon combustion).
2.3 Cleaning and Sanitizing Agents
In spite of their different action and effective chemical differences, cleaning agents—
e.g., alkaline foaming agent with high sequestrant attitudes, good for cleaning-inplace (CIP) systems—and sanitizing agents—e.g., surface disinfectant and foam
cleaner for manual or semiautomatic processes—may be confused. Actually:
2 Uses of Chemicals in the Food and Beverage Industry
Allowed functions of E330 (citric acid monohydrate) in food products and correlated dangers for food operators should be considered. A simple analysis (derived
from normal safety data sheets available for E330) demonstrates that dangers depend
on several factors, but the targeted people under risk appear to be the main factor of
the problem.
In brief (phrases have been modified with the aim of a simple comprehension)
(European Parliament and Council 2008; SSTI 2013):
• Citric acid is classified as ‘Serious eye damage/eye irritation, Hazard Category 2;
hazard statement: H319’ according to the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
• The following precautionary statements have to be considered:
P280: Wear eye protection/face protection
P305+P351+P338: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing (if E330 is in contact with
eyes)
P337+P313: Get medical advice/attention (if eye irritation persists).
In addition, the following adverse reactions should be expected in order to
implement adequate first aid measures:
• If consumption has occurred, rinse mouth with water (if swallowed); search for
immediate medical help/advice and show related E330 container. Do not induce
vomiting.
• If eye contact has occurred, first, rinse with plenty of water for several minutes
and then search for immediate medical help.
• If inhalation has occurred, remove the person to fresh air and keep at rest.
• If skin contact has occurred, remove contaminated clothes; rinse skin with plenty
of water or shower; then search for immediate medical help.
As a consequence (handling and storage precautions), it is recommended to keep
away E330 from food, drink, and animal feeding stuffs, and do not smoke. Handling
in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice is extremely recommended. Also, E330 has to be and remain well sealed in its original container well
sealed, in a dry and ventilated area, away from potential fire/ignition sources.
Some additional information can be provided when speaking of incompatible materials (oxidizing mineral acids, strong reducing agents, strong oxidizing
agents) and hazardous decomposition products (CO 2 and other unidentified organic
compounds which may be originated upon combustion).
2.3 Cleaning and Sanitizing Agents
In spite of their different action and effective chemical differences, cleaning agents—
e.g., alkaline foaming agent with high sequestrant attitudes, good for cleaning-inplace (CIP) systems—and sanitizing agents—e.g., surface disinfectant and foam
cleaner for manual or semiautomatic processes—may be confused. Actually: