Flexible Tubing in Food Processing: Compliance, Safety & Customization

December 2, 2025

In food processing, your tubing is a critical part of your product safety, sanitation, and operational efficiency. Whether transferring powders, liquids, or gases, the right flexible tubing helps protect against contamination, system failure, and non-compliance.



At Siftex, we specialize in custom-engineered flexible tubing solutions that meet FDA, USDA, and 3A sanitary standards. From high-visibility options like ClearFlex SDX to ultra-durable Seamless Rubber Tubing, our products are trusted by food manufacturers across North America for their performance, reliability, and compliance.

Why Flexible Tubing is Crucial in Food Manufacturing

Flexible tubing is used in dozens of applications across a food processing facility, including:



  • Powder and ingredient transfer

  • Liquid and slurry conveyance

  • Vacuum and pneumatic conveying

  • Wash-down and CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems

  • Product inspection and packaging lines

In these environments, the wrong tubing can lead to:


  • Product contamination

  • Microbial growth from tubing crevices or leaks

  • Regulatory violations

  • Excessive wear and costly downtime

That’s why your choice of material, construction, and fit is critical.

3 Key Requirements for Food-Grade Flexible Tubing

1. Regulatory Compliance

Your tubing must comply with applicable food safety standards. Common requirements include:


  • FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 (rubber components for repeated food contact)

  • USDA and 3A Sanitary Standards

  • EU 10/2011 compliance for global food production

Siftex offers materials and constructions that meet these standards, and we’ll guide you through selecting the right one for your needs.


2. Hygienic Design

Flexible tubing should feature:


  • Seamless construction to prevent harborage of bacteria

  • Smooth internal surfaces for easy cleaning

  • Non-reactive materials that resist fat, oil, and acid degradation

Our Seamless Rubber Tubing is an ideal solution for food plants requiring clean, unobstructed product flow with high resistance to wear and microbial buildup.


3. Durability & Flexibility

Food processing environments can be dynamic, with constant movement, wash-downs, temperature swings, and mechanical stress. Tubing must:



  • Withstand frequent flexing or vibration

  • Handle abrasive powders or corrosive ingredients

  • Maintain performance in hot or cold environments

That’s where Siftex’s Hi-Flex Hoses and ClearFlex SDX tubing shine, engineered for motion-intensive setups, with excellent flexibility, chemical resistance, and long service life.


Featured Siftex Products for Food-Grade Flexible Tubing

ClearFlex SDX


A transparent polyurethane tubing ideal for powder handling, especially in ATEX-rated environments. ClearFlex SDX allows for easy visual inspection of material flow while offering:


  • Static-dissipative properties

  • Food-grade compliance

  • High abrasion resistance

Perfect for sugar, flour, dairy, or starch transfer lines.


Hi-Flex Hoses

Built to move with your process, Hi-Flex Hoses excel in systems with frequent repositioning or vibration. These hoses offer:


  • Superior flexibility under dynamic load

  • Durable materials for long-term performance

Great for wash-down, product conveyance, and liquid processing.


Seamless Rubber Tubing

Manufactured for uniformity and strength, this tubing ensures a smooth internal surface that reduces the risk of buildup or contamination.


  • Meets FDA standards

  • Available in multiple rubber compounds

  • Variety of sizes available

Ideal for liquid filling lines, clean-in-place systems, and fluid transfer applications.


Custom Tubing: Tailored for Your Plant

At Siftex, we understand that no two plants are the same. That’s why we specialize in custom flexible tubing solutions. We work with your team to:



  • Recommend the right material and wall thickness

  • Ensure proper fit and compatibility with your equipment

  • Design reinforced or specialty tubing as needed

  • Provide tubing in pre-cut lengths or assemblies for faster installation

You’re getting an engineered solution designed to keep your process compliant, efficient, and clean.


Ready to Upgrade Your Tubing?

If you're relying on off-the-shelf tubing that wasn’t made for your application, you’re leaving safety and performance on the table. Let Siftex help you choose a flexible tubing solution that meets today’s compliance demands and tomorrow’s productivity goals.