Abstract: A sanitary valve comprising a valve body, a diaphragm and an actuator is provided. The valve body includes a cavity or bowl which defines a fluid chamber. A hole for passage of fluid into or out of the chamber is located in the bottom of the cavity. A second hole is located in the side of the cavity. Passages connect the holes to connection ports on the outside of the valve body. The ports, passages, holes and fluid chamber provide a fluid path through the valve. The diaphragm is mounted over the cavity and includes in its center a boss or raised area which extends into the cavity. The boss controls the flow of fluid through the valve. The size of the boss is slightly larger than the hole in the center of the cavity. The boss has a thickness selected so that the boss closes the center hole when the diaphragm is flexed towards the cavity.