"Metal detectors detect metal contamination, X-ray systems detect a wider range of contaminats (including plastics) and machine vision systems ensure correct labeling to avoid misprinting of expiry dates or allergens," said Camilo Sanchez, Metal Detection Prouct Managed for Mettler Toledo.
Tools and technologies
To improve the safety of products and discover contaminants early in the process, meat and poultry companies deploy a variety of in-plant detection technologies, including X-ray, metal detectors and imaging systems.
X-ray technology is one of the most common tools in detecting foreign objects and bone fragments. “Most industries now use X-ray technologies that can take the form of a full-line system or a smaller system,” reports Belk, who says detection technology has improved considerably in recent years. “The systems are consistently getting better. Like any machine, its worst day is today. The software is getting better, too.”
Tiernay agrees that X-ray technologies are instrumental in finding contaminants before they pose problems. “Most food processors are recognizing the increased benefits of X-ray technology as it significantly improves overall metal detection capability and in addition detects soft contaminates such as stone, glass and some dense plastic. Along with virtual weighing, missing product makes single source X-ray inspection of these items a value proposition and a significant advantage,” he says.
Within the past year, Anritsu introduced a new high-sensitivity X-ray system, the XR75. In addition to precision-engineered contamination detection, the system pinpoints product shape defects and can check for production integrity. “XR75 not only has a smaller foot print but the X-ray generator and sensor provide outstanding sensitivity at lower energy levels,” Tiernay adds. “The low output X-ray generator reduces heat generation, eliminating the need for a cooling system, resulting in a 30 percent reduction of power consumption.”
According to Tiernay, the XR75 further refines Anritsu’s exclusive HD Imaging Technology capable of detecting as small as 0.4-mm diameter metal and 1.0-mm diameter glass and stone. Anritsu also offers Dual X-ray technologies that can analyze two different X-ray signals at once, to help processors distinguish between product and contaminant.
Mettler Toledo has made improvements, too, such as its new Safeline Opti PipeChek Plus X-ray inspection system for bone and metal contaminant detection and rejection. The system runs product through a closed pipeline, allowing full retention of both solids and liquids during inspection. The vacuum system allows whole muscle products to be pumped at rates between 12,000 to 32,000 lbs. an hour.
Anritsu's latest X-ray technology efficiently performs food inspection for all product types at lower energy levels.
Sesotec, Bartlett, Illinois, recently developed a Raycon W X-ray system that identifies agglomerated, deformed, broken and missing items and features new control and image processing software that can simultaneously inspect up to four product lines running in parallel at up to 600 items per minute with different products being inspected in each lane.
In addition to new and upgraded X-ray equipment, some major suppliers are expanding their X-ray detection capability. A few months ago, Chicago-headquartered JBT Corporation acquired some assets of Novus X-Ray LLC, which provides advanced X-ray food inspection systems. At the time, JBT FoodTech president Steve Smith said, “Our customers want a contamination detection system that helps ensure food safety.”
Metal detection is another tool that processors use to find contaminants in raw and cooked products. Mettler Toledo recently debuted a Profile Advantage Pipeline Metal Detector for use in inspecting piped products for metal contamination. The system’s multi-simultaneous frequency technology allows for high sensitivity and reduces the “product effect” that can happen with moisture and temperature changes.
Other imaging systems can be installed at different points in the production process. Sesotec’s Liquiscan VF+, for example, was created to inspect viscous products like sausage meat at the outlet of vacuum fillers. If metal is detected, the conveying system stops.
