No matter where in the world food manufacturers operate, they have to ensure that their production practices and products comply with local safety regulations. How can manufacturers make sure that they meet the expectations of each standard, minimise the risk of foreign body contamination, and retain access to EU markets?
How to choose the right inspection technology?
To ensure compliance with IFS and BRC Global Standards, it is vital that food manufacturers have in place appropriate product inspection systems capable of identifying and removing contaminated products in every production facility supplying food for the markets in question. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to product inspection, and, as specified in IFS and BRC guidelines, the manufacturer’s choice of technology will depend on the product to be inspected, its packaging, the contamination risk, and on the characteristics of the production line. For example, if the principal threat to the production line comes from metal shards from broken processing machinery, a metal detection system will be suitable for compliance. But, if the production line is vulnerable to a number of contaminants, it will be necessary to install technologies capable of identifying all of these, such as x-ray inspection systems.
How can x-ray technology meet standards?
The IFS and BRC Global Standards require manufacturers to take steps in order to prevent and remove physical contaminants in food products. X-ray inspection systems can detect contamination from a range of foreign bodies, from calcified bones and stones that may have entered the line with raw ingredients, to glass, metal or plastic shards from broken packaging, allowing manufacturers to comply. Advanced systems, offer exceptional detection sensitivity at high throughput speeds, to identify very small contaminants in a wide variety of packaging formats without impacting productivity. This not only enables manufacturers to comply with food safety guidelines and safeguard consumer wellbeing, but also allows them the flexibility to alter or renew their packaging in the future to reflect changes in consumer requirements.
What about hygiene to ensure food safety?
In addition to preventing contamination from foreign bodies, manufacturers must also do all they can to maximise hygiene on their production lines if they are to comply with IFS and BRC Global Standards. Advanced x-ray inspection systems are able to help in this regard in a variety of ways. For example, many modern x-ray solutions are now being built with an ingress protection (IP)65 rating as standard, minimising the risk of dust or water ingress to enable manufacturers to clean the system comprehensively without the threat of damage to internal mechanisms. To further facilitate cleaning, it is now possible to install x-ray machines featuring tubular frames and casings of brushed stainless steel with sloping surfaces, eliminating potential dust traps and allowing water to drain off easily during washdown. To further maximise hygiene, advanced x-ray inspection systems are also capable of checking seal integrity on packaged products, minimising the risk of unsealed packs leaving the factory to spoil or become contaminated en route to the retailer.
How should food manufacturers be prepared for the future?
In the future, it will not be enough for food manufacturers to ensure they are able to comply with changes in the regulatory landscape; they will also have to make sure that they are capable of responding to changes in consumer requirements. Increasingly, this means taking a close look at the productivity and flexibility of the production line. X-ray inspection can help in this regard. Technological developments mean that the new generation of systems, including the X36 Series, features low-energy x-ray generators that eliminate the need for cumbersome air-conditioning mechanisms without compromising on sensitivity, making the overall machine footprint smaller than ever before. This makes the x-ray system more environmentally friendly and reduces the total cost of ownership. In addition, the new intuitive Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are multi-colour touchscreens, which are being used more and more on x-ray machines. They make it easier for production line operatives to quickly set up product changeovers, allowing short runs of multiple products to be processed on one line. This enables manufacturers to produce limited edition and seasonal products, and to produce products destined for different markets. It enhances flexibility without the need for new or additional production facilities. What’s more, the throughput speed of modern x-ray systems can also adjusted according to the needs of the line, allowing productivity to be increased or decreased to reflect upsurges or decreases in consumer demand. The food industry is changing all the time, and the market and regulatory landscape in five or ten years’ time is likely to look very different from that we can see today. To remain competitive, food manufacturers must ensure that any investments in technology they make today will be fit to meet the challenges they face tomorrow. Advanced x-ray systems are a vital piece in the puzzle. The right solution for the needs of each individual production line that also addresses productivity, flexibility and sensitivity concerns will ensure that food manufacturers are ready to face the future head on. Doing this, they will be able to respond to consumer and legislative demands without damaging profits or losing market share.
