PVC Strip Curtains for Food Manufacturing: HACCP Compliance & Food-Grade Options

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Last updated: April 2026

Food manufacturing and processing facilities operate under strict hygiene regulations. PVC strip curtains are a fundamental part of physical barrier and zoning strategies in HACCP plans — but specifying the wrong grade or installing poorly can create a compliance problem rather than solving one.

The Role of PVC Strip Curtains in Food Safety

  • Pest exclusion — preventing insect and rodent access at openings
  • Zone separation — maintaining separation between raw and cooked product areas
  • Temperature control — maintaining cold chain integrity
  • Contamination control — preventing airborne dust, debris and non-food materials

What Makes a PVC Strip "Food Grade"?

Food-grade PVC strip curtains comply with EU Regulation 10/2011 (materials and articles intended to contact food) and FDA 21 CFR where required. They are free from plasticisers, stabilisers or pigments that could migrate into food.

BRCGS Requirements

Key BRCGS requirements for strip curtains:

  • All external openings must be effectively proofed against pest entry (Clause 4.13)
  • Internal zoning must be physically enforced for segregation of high-risk/high-care zones (Clause 4.3)
  • Materials in food areas must be food-safe and cleanable (Clause 4.7)
  • Strip curtains must be included in cleaning schedules and maintained in good condition

Anti-Microbial PVC Strips

Anti-microbial PVC strips incorporate silver-ion technology, inhibiting bacterial growth on the strip surface. Specified in high-care zones, RTE production environments, and areas with elevated moisture. Not a substitute for cleaning schedules.

Ribbed Strip Curtains for Insect Control

For external-facing openings, ribbed PVC strips provide superior insect exclusion. The ribbed surface creates a tighter overlap seal resistant to flying insects. Combined with UV-resistant PVC, ribbed strips are the standard specification for food factory external doors.

Installation Requirements

  • Strips must reach within 50mm of floor level (absolute maximum — HACCP recommendation is ≤20mm)
  • Rails must be stainless steel or food-grade coated
  • All fixing hardware should be non-corrosive stainless steel

Cleaning Schedules

  • Daily: Wipe with food-safe sanitising solution
  • Weekly: Remove strips, wash with hot water and food-safe detergent, rinse, reinstall
  • Monthly: Inspect for damage; replace damaged strips immediately
  • Annually: Full strip replacement in high-risk zones

View our food-grade PVC strip curtains.

Tags: Brc, Brcgs, Contamination control, Food grade, Food hygiene, Food manufacturing, Food safety, Haccp