Certified EHEDG Hygienic Feet vs. Certified 3A-SSI Sanitary Feet

Choosing Between EHEDG Hygienic Feet and 3A-SSI Sanitary Feet

EHEDG-certified hygienic feet and 3A-SSI-certified sanitary feet are essential for industries requiring strict hygiene compliance, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cleanrooms. While EHEDG feet offer crevice-free, fully-sealed designs optimized for European and global standards, 3A-SSI feet are tailored for North American dairy and food industry regulations. The right choice depends on cleanability, compliance needs, and industry applications. Investing in the correct certified feet ensures regulatory approval, improved sanitation efficiency, and long-term cost savings. Which certification best fits your operational needs? Let’s explore the differences to help you decide.

EHEDG Hygienic Feet vs. 3A-SSI Sanitary Feet: Key Differences

Feature	EHEDG Hygienic Feet	3A-SSI Sanitary Feet
Design	Self-draining, sealed threads, smooth crevice-free surface	Designed for dairy & food safety, but may have minor crevices
Intended Use	Ideal for Europe-focused compliance (pharma, biotech, food processing)	Best for North American dairy & food industry
Surface Finish	Polished to Ra ≤ 0.8 µm for ultra-cleanability	Typically Ra ≤ 1.2 µm, ensuring food safety but allowing light surface texture
Materials	AISI 316L stainless steel, FDA-approved EPDM, NBR	AISI 304 or 316 stainless steel, may include plastic parts
Cleanability	CIP (Clean-in-Place) & SIP (Sterilization-in-Place) ready	Requires manual wash-downs in some cases
Certification Body	European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG)	3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3A-SSI)
Industries	Food, dairy, beverage, pharma, cleanroom, cosmetics	Primarily dairy, plus food & beverage processing
Regulatory Compliance	Aligns with EU regulations (ISO 14159, EN 1672-2)	Complies with FDA, USDA, PMO (Pasteurized Milk Ordinance)
Durability	Designed for aggressive washdowns & harsh chemicals	Built for frequent manual cleaning with dairy-safe cleaners
Cost	Higher initial cost but long-term savings in cleaning & compliance	Moderate cost but may require more frequent replacements

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Industries and Applications

Industries Using EHEDG Hygienic Feet

• Food & Beverage Processing: Used in high-hygiene zones for meat, poultry, seafood, bakery, dairy, brewing, and confectionery
• Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology: Required in cleanrooms, sterile production, vaccine manufacturing
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Used in cream, lotion, and perfume production
• High-Purity Chemical Processing & Cleanrooms

Industries Using 3A-SSI Sanitary Feet

• Dairy Processing: Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream production
• Food & Beverage Industry: Used in juice, soft drink, beer, and wine processing
• Meat & Poultry Processing: Ensures basic sanitation but not as rigorous as EHEDG

Key Takeaway:

EHEDG hygienic feet are optimized for cleanrooms and high-sterility environments, while 3A-SSI sanitary feet are best suited for dairy, food, and beverage processing in North America.

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Material Composition

EHEDG Hygienic Feet

• AISI 316L Stainless Steel: Highly corrosion-resistant, withstands CIP/SIP cleaning
• FDA-Approved EPDM/NBR Silicone: Used for anti-slip, vibration-damping bases
• Fully Sealed Components: Prevents bacterial buildup

3A-SSI Sanitary Feet

• AISI 304/316 Stainless Steel: Durable but not always fully sealed
• Plastic/Rubber Coatings: May have FDA-compliant plastic components
• Manually Washable Design: May not support CIP/SIP cleaning

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Certifications & Compliance

EHEDG Hygienic Feet Must Comply With:

• EHEDG Design Principles – Must be crevice-free and fully cleanable
• ISO 14159 – Hygiene requirements for food machinery
• EN 1672-2 – Sanitary design for food processing equipment
• FDA & EU Compliance – Approved for food contact

3A-SSI Sanitary Feet Must Comply With:

• 3-A Sanitary Standards – Focused on dairy, beverage, and food applications
• USDA Compliance – Approved for use in meat and dairy plants
• FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 – Ensures materials are food-safe
• Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) – Required for U.S. dairy processors

Key Takeaway: EHEDG certification ensures compliance with global food & pharma safety standards, while 3A-SSI is focused on North American dairy and food processing regulations.

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Real-World Applications

1. Dairy Processing Facility (EU vs. US Compliance)

A dairy plant in Germany needed EHEDG-compliant hygienic feet to meet strict EU food safety laws. Meanwhile, a U.S. dairy required 3A-SSI sanitary feet for FDA and USDA approval.

Results:
✅ EHEDG feet improved cleanability, reducing bacterial contamination by 40%
✅ 3A-SSI feet ensured compliance with US dairy safety laws

2. Meat Processing Facility (Hygiene & Cost Savings)

A meat packaging facility switched from standard sanitary feet to EHEDG-certified hygienic feet, reducing:
✅ Cleaning time by 35%
✅ Water and detergent costs by 28%

3. Pharmaceutical Production (SIP Compatibility)

A pharmaceutical company using EHEDG hygienic feet achieved full compliance with FDA and EU pharma hygiene regulations, reducing contamination risks.

4. Brewery Equipment (Global Market Expansion)

A beer producer upgraded from 3A-SSI to EHEDG feet to meet EU hygiene laws, allowing exports to European markets.

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Trust & Reliability

✔ “EHEDG-certified feet helped us meet global hygiene standards and expand to new markets.” – Quality Manager, Beverage Company

✔ “Switching to EHEDG feet reduced cleaning time by 50% in our biotech facility!” – Operations Director, Pharmaceutical Company

✔ “3A-SSI feet ensured our dairy plant met all FDA & USDA requirements.” – Dairy Production Engineer

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EHEDG vs. 3A-SSI – Which is Best?

For pharmaceutical, biotech, and high-sterility food processing, EHEDG-certified hygienic feet are superior.

For dairy, food, and beverage processing in North America, 3A-SSI sanitary feet are ideal.

In industries where hygiene is non-negotiable, the choice between EHEDG-certified hygienic feet and 3A-SSI-certified sanitary feet can significantly impact compliance, efficiency, and safety. Understanding their key differences in design, materials, and regulatory standards will help you select the optimal solution for food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cleanroom applications.

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