Maintaining product integrity is the golden rule of the pharmaceutical industry, where even slight contamination can have serious consequences to the usability and safety of the product. This rule applies as much during storage and transport across the supply chain as it does in the factory. So, what is the best end-to-end packaging solution for pharmaceutical products? Food grade and pharmaceutical grade bulk bags.
These high-capacity, hygienic storage solutions are ideal for transporting pharmaceutical products and compounds, maintaining compliance with all hygiene, safety, and operational standards. Read on to find out more.
Production In A Certified Cleanroom Environment
Creating and maintaining a sterile environment is essential for producing medicines, which is why food grade and pharmaceutical grade bulk bags intended for this sector are, similarly, manufactured in dedicated cleanroom facilities. These controlled environments come with filtered ventilation systems that prevent airborne particles, germs, dust, and other contaminants from entering the production area, so that the packaging is not inadvertently contaminated during manufacturing or storage.
For pharmaceutical grade applications, manufacturing facilities implement even stricter environmental controls. These specialised production areas feature air-conditioning with HEPA filtration systems, whilst operatives are required to wear additional protective clothing, including white overcoats and shoe covers. Pharmaceutical grade liners are heat-sealed to ensure complete contamination prevention, providing an extra layer of protection for sensitive compounds.
To reinforce this quality, food grade and pharmaceutical grade bulk bags are often produced to comply with several international standards, such as:
- ISO 9001:2015: Guarantees a consistent approach to quality management systems.
- BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standard): The current industry benchmark for food safety management systems, which is often adapted for sensitive pharmaceutical materials and has largely replaced ISO 22000 amongst leading suppliers.
How The Manufacturing Process Is Designed To Avoid Contamination And Risk
No matter how careful you are in your own vetting and production processes, all it takes is one contaminated bag to spoil a whole batch of product. This is the reason why manufacturers of food grade bulk bags employ various advanced techniques to protect product purity, taking a zero-risk approach to quality.
For example, techniques like ultrasonic cutting and external seaming are used to rule out the possibility of loose threads or fibres ending up in your product. Unlike traditional cutting methods, ultrasonic technology seals the bag's fabric edges as it cuts, maintaining a clean and contamination-free finish. Many food grade bags also make use of external seams (double-turned) rather than internal ones, to make sure that the inside of the bag remains smooth and free from potential contaminant traps.
At an established food grade manufacturing facility, such as those within Cliffe Packaging's trusted supplier network, the bulk bags then undergo a meticulous inspection before they ever reach you. This process includes:
- Metal detection: every bag is scanned to make sure that no metallic fragments from the manufacturing process are left behind.
- Light table checks: the bags are then placed on illuminated tables to visually inspect for any foreign matter, holes, or imperfections.
The structured process guarantees that the bags you purchase are clean, intact, and ready for use in the packaging of pharmaceutical products.
Customised Designs For Your Needs
Most food grade and pharmaceutical grade bulk bags are customisable to the operational and aesthetic needs of your operation, allowing you to create a completely tailored solution. Some of the options available include:
- Filling and discharge spouts: designed to align with your equipment for efficient and dust-free loading and unloading.
- Liners and baffles: internal liners create an additional barrier against moisture and oxygen, while baffles help your bags maintain a stable, square shape for better stacking and storage.
- Shapes and weight limits: bags can be designed to the dimensions of your choice and a range of safe working loads, helping you optimise your warehouse space and transport logistics.
Find Out More
Please get in touch with the team at Cliffe Packaging today to discover the benefits of our sustainable pharmaceutical packaging solutions.
Image source: Canva
