Ashworth gets NSF certification for advantage spiral belt series.

They're the only spiral belts that are both tested and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and accepted for cleanability performance by the US Department of Agriculture, said Ashworth of its Advantage 120/200 series.

Conventional modular plastic conveyor belt designs can trap food and cleaning solution residues in the hinge area between the rod and the module. These residues can contaminate product and over time, aggressive cleaning solutions can weaken plastic rods.

By improving upon the competition's all-plastic belts, Ashworth says, it managed to develop the Advantage spiral/turn-curve belt. The 120/200 series is the latest generation.

The NSF Joint Committee on Food Processing Equipment developed NSF/3-A/ANSI 14159-3 using the consensus process described by the American National Standards Institute. The standard establishes hygiene requirements for the design of mechanical belt conveyors used in meat and poultry processing. The USDA now uses this standard as its sole basis for acceptance of conveyor belts used in poultry and meat processing facilities.

"This test verifies that the Advantage belts can be effectively cleaned using conventional cleaning methods, and it validates our design objectives," said Jonathan Lasecki, engineering manager at Ashworth. "For receiving NSF certification, Ashworth's hybrid belts will now bear the NSF certification mark--a sign to regulators and clients that all certification requirements have been met," said Mike Kohler, technical manager, NSF Food Equipment Certification Program.

This year marks Ashworth's 60th anniversary. As an innovator in the conveyor belt business, its successes include invention of low-tension spiral systems. The company maintains a strong presence in the United States and Europe, and has agents around the globe.

For more information, contact Ashworth at 450 Armour Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22601, USA; telephone; [phone]; fax: [phone]; website: www.ashworth.com.