Why compliance is the cornerstone of food
safety and consumer trust

Meeting compliance standards in the food and beverage industry isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s a safeguard for public health, production efficiency and brand loyalty. From protecting consumers against contamination to avoiding financial and reputational risks, rigorous adherence to safety protocols ensures every product that reaches the market upholds the highest level of quality and trust.

IMI’s motion control solutions go beyond compliance—they redefine it. Designed with reliability, hygiene and efficiency in mind, these advanced systems streamline food-grade operations, ensuring smoother processes, minimized downtime and uncompromising product safety.

Finding clarity in the complexity of food safety regulations

The food and beverage industry operates in one of the most tightly regulated environments in the world, and for good reason—public health depends on it.

However, navigating the intricate web of food safety regulations can feel overwhelming for manufacturers. From global frameworks like the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the United States to regional standards such as those set by the European Union, compliance often means juggling a variety of requirements that differ across markets. These regulations govern everything from hygiene and equipment design to labeling and traceability, creating a multifaceted challenge for producers.

Keeping up with evolving standards

The regulatory standard is constantly changing. Standards are updated to address emerging risks such as new pathogens, advancements in production technology and shifts in consumer preferences for clean-label and allergen-free products, among others.

Staying ahead of these changes requires manufacturers to allocate resources to monitoring updates, training staff and modifying processes—all while ensuring continuous production. This effort always pays off in the long run, as non-compliance costs have increased by more than 45% in the last decade. ¹

The high stakes of overlooking compliance

From a business standpoint, non-compliance can lead to severe repercussions such as brand damage, expensive production downtime, product recalls, regulatory fines, significant revenue losses and more.

Though exact costs vary by sector, situation and brand, here is an estimated share of the cost of non-compliance in the food and beverage industry: ²

Practical strategies to meet food safety standards

Achieving compliance without compromising speed and efficiency is possible with a proactive approach. From adhering to rigorous standards to meeting customer demands, here is how food and beverage manufacturers can address the toughest compliance challenges while maintaining safety and quality.

Collaborating with experts enables access to components, solutions and technical support that helps prioritize compliance and sets every project on the way to success.

Meeting stringent standards without slowing down

Certified solutions designed to meet 3-A standards ensure food safety compliance without disrupting operations. By using equipment and components that align with these certifications, manufacturers can maintain productivity while uploading hygiene and safety standards critical to the industry.

Designing out contamination risks

Hygienic designs minimize the risk of contamination by incorporating smooth surfaces, rounded edges and easy-to-clean materials. Equipment built for quick and effective cleaning reduces downtime while ensuring compliance with food safety protocols, helping manufacturers stay ahead of contamination risks.

Building trust through safety and transparency

Today’s consumers expect transparency in food production, from ingredient sourcing to hygiene practices. By prioritizing safety and openly communicating compliance efforts, manufacturers can not only meet regulatory requirements but also strengthen consumer trust and loyalty.

By understanding these challenges and partnering with trusted experts, food and beverage manufacturers can find clarity in the complexity, turning compliance from a daunting requirement into a seamless aspect of their operations.

Meet the minds behind industry-leading innovation

IMI is a global leader in motion and fluid control technologies, delivering innovative solutions that drive speed, efficiency, reliability and sustainability across a wide range of industries. With a rich legacy of engineering expertise, IMI specializes in precision-engineered components and solutions that meet the highest standards of performance and compliance.

Serving the food and beverage sector through its renowned brands, IMI provides tailored solutions for motion control, fluid handling and automation. From high-speed production lines to hygienic applications, these cutting-edge technologies enable manufacturers to overcome complex challenges, optimize operations and meet the demands of an evolving market.

Compliance solutions highlight

IMI offers a comprehensive range of compliance-driven solutions designed to meet the most demanding industry standards and engineered to optimize safety, efficiency, and regulatory adherence. These solutions provide peace of mind for industries like food and beverage where precision, cleanliness, and compliance are critical.

Air preparation units

IMI Norgren air preparation units deliver clean, regulated air to protect pneumatic equipment, improve efficiency, and extend equipment life in industrial applications. For example, Excelon® Plus air preparation units are easy to install and provide advanced particulate removal levels down to 0.01 microns (ISO 8573-1 class 1), which is critical for food applications.

Turning challenges into success stories

Discover how IMI advanced motion and fluid control solutions translate into tangible results for food and beverage manufacturers.

These two case studies highlight real-world success in optimizing production efficiency, ensuring compliance and reducing downtime.

Seamless compliance through thoughtful design

It is critical for OEMs and design engineers to integrate compliance into their design phase to meet stringent food safety standards. Partnering with certified experts ensures them access to food-grade components and solutions tailored for reliability and ease of maintenance. Prioritizing materials and designs that simplify cleaning and reduce downtime helps deliver trusted, high-performing systems.

IMI certified experts go beyond that. They dive deep together with OEMs and design engineers to solve their specific compliance challenges and help them grow their business with confidence.