Hanna HI981033 Food, Beverage & Nutraceutical pH Meter
| Brand | Hanna Instruments |
|---|---|
| Origin | Italy |
| Model | HI981033 |
| Power Source | CR2032 3V lithium battery |
| Certification | CE marked |
| Intended Use | pH measurement in food, beverages, and dietary supplements |
Overview
The Hanna HI981033 is a compact, rugged, and purpose-engineered pH meter designed specifically for rapid, on-site pH verification in food production, beverage processing, and nutraceutical manufacturing environments. Built upon a proven potentiometric measurement principle, the instrument detects hydrogen ion activity via a calibrated glass pH electrode integrated into a single-probe, waterproof (IP67-rated) housing. Unlike general-purpose benchtop meters, the HI981033 incorporates a food-grade pH sensor with a conical-tip glass bulb and open junction design—optimized to resist clogging from viscous samples such as syrups, fruit purees, wine musts, and protein-rich liquid supplements. Its fixed calibration points at pH 4.01 and 7.01 (using standard NIST-traceable buffers) ensure traceable accuracy within ±0.1 pH across the 0.0 to 14.0 pH range—meeting routine quality control requirements aligned with ISO 29541 and AOAC Official Method 981.12 for pH in acidic foods.
Key Features
- Integrated conical-tip pH electrode with low-resistance glass membrane and open-ceramic junction—engineered for fast response and minimal drift in high-sugar, high-alcohol, or particulate-laden matrices.
- Single-button operation with automatic temperature compensation (ATC) via built-in thermistor—eliminates manual correction errors when measuring wines, juices, vinegars, or herbal tinctures across 0 to 50 °C.
- IP67-rated enclosure with chemical-resistant ABS housing—capable of withstanding repeated exposure to ethanol, citric acid, acetic acid, and cleaning agents used in CIP/SIP protocols.
- Auto-power-off after 8 minutes of inactivity and low-battery indicator—ensures reliable field operation without interruption during shift-based QC checks.
- No calibration storage memory; calibrated per-use to enforce procedural discipline—supporting GLP-aligned documentation practices where calibration event logging is performed externally (e.g., in lab notebooks or LIMS).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HI981033 is validated for direct immersion measurement in non-oily, aqueous-based food and beverage matrices including but not limited to: still and sparkling wines, cider, kombucha, vinegar, fruit juices, dairy-based functional drinks, liquid vitamins, herbal extracts, and sports nutrition formulations. It is not suitable for oils, emulsions, or highly viscous gels without dilution or homogenization. The device complies with CE marking requirements under the EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. While it does not include FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails (as it lacks data logging), its calibration protocol and measurement repeatability support adherence to HACCP prerequisite programs and internal SOPs requiring documented pH verification at critical control points.
Software & Data Management
The HI981033 operates as a standalone, analog-output instrument with no embedded memory, Bluetooth, or USB interface. All measurement data must be manually recorded—intentionally supporting paper-based or LIMS-integrated workflows where traceability is maintained through operator-entered batch IDs, timestamps, and calibration logs. This architecture aligns with facilities maintaining legacy QA systems or those operating under simplified GMP Annex 11 interpretations for non-critical process monitoring. Hanna provides downloadable calibration record templates (PDF/Excel) and buffer certification documentation (NIST-traceable certificates available upon request) to facilitate internal audit readiness.
Applications
- pH verification during fermentation termination in wine and cider production
- Final product release testing for acidity compliance in vinegar and pickling solutions
- In-process monitoring of pH stability in liquid multivitamin formulations
- QC screening of pH in ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes and botanical tonics
- Sanitation verification of rinse water pH in food contact surface cleaning validation
FAQ
Is the HI981033 suitable for measuring pH in high-alcohol beverages such as spirits?
No—the instrument is validated for ethanol concentrations up to 15% v/v (e.g., wine, fortified wines). Measurements in distilled spirits (>40% ethanol) risk membrane dehydration and reference junction failure.
Can the electrode be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol?
No—alcohol dehydrates the pH-sensitive glass membrane. Rinse only with deionized water or mild detergent solution followed by thorough DI water rinse.
Does this meter meet ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for accredited testing?
It supports compliant use when operated within defined SOPs, with documented calibration against certified buffers and environmental controls—but accreditation requires full metrological validation by the user’s designated calibration laboratory.
What is the recommended recalibration frequency?
Before each use session, or every 2 hours during continuous operation—per Hanna’s technical bulletin TB-012 for food-grade pH field meters.
