Abstract: A sanitary centrifugal pump with a hygienic mechanical seal flushing system. The pump has a housing with a pumping chamber defined therein. An impeller is at least partially contained in the housing and is connected to a shaft for rotation. The rotation of the impeller creates a first liquid flow path through the pumping chamber between the inlet port and the outlet port, and the first liquid flow path creates a high pressure area in the pumping chamber. The pump includes additional seal flushing passages by which liquid is delivered to the seal cavity from the pumping chamber and returned back to the pumping chamber, to cool and flush at least a portion of the mechanical seal in the seal cavity.