2. The isolator, a new technique for the food industry

2.1 Definition

The ISO TC 209 standardization program (in progress in 2001) gives a simple, broad definition of separating enclosures: they are "devices which employ impermeable barrier techniques to effect separation between an internal environment and the external or surrounding environment".

In their book on isolators, Wagner and Akers [21] list four definitions of an isolator. Their summary gives a complete description of the equipment: a small cleanroom which ensures specific containment of the area to be protected. Its equipment is specially designed to guard against contamination from humans and the product environment.