The possibility of food contamination by metal objects during the manufacturing process is of growing concern among the food industry. It’s a real threat and one which can cost companies significantly – both financially and in terms of reputational damage and loss of customer goodwill.
Not that long ago, Kraft Foods in the US recalled 242,000 cases of their Macaroni and Cheese dinners due to the possibility that some boxes contained small pieces of metal. Also in America recently, Wegmans Food Markets recalled 6,000 bags of ice because there was a possibility of metal pieces in the bags from a broken part in the ice-making machine.
It’s likely there will be more and more cases like these, because as the demand for mass-produced food products increases, so too does the risk of contamination by metal from the equipment used in food processing plants.
Metal can find its way into food products in many ways, most commonly through the equipment used in the manufacturing environment. Tiny pieces can shred off cutting blades or grinders, faulty packaging machinery can discharge a small shard of metal – the opportunities for contamination are many and varied and the food industry simply cannot afford not to have the most robust and thorough quality control processes throughout their production line. Hence the critical importance of metal detectors in food processing and packaging lines.
Food metal detectors act as critical control points to mitigate the risk of potentially harmful metal contaminants, and the gold standard is the Fortress Multi-Lane Food Metal Detector. Here are some key benefits of the product which have made it the first choice for so many organisations in the food industry all over the world.
Optimum efficiency
The Fortress Multi-Lane Food Metal Detector comprises four separate lanes which travel through a single search head which enables operators to inspect and independently auto-reject packs across multiple lines without having to purchase individual detector heads or conveyor systems for each line.
Improved productivity
The Fortress randomly separates product into four lanes, and with the highest processing power in the industry, is able to operate faster and deliver higher throughputs.
Exceptional metal detection performance
This product sets the industry benchmark for accuracy and reliability in metal detection and is capable of detecting fragments as small as 0.3mm ferrous, 0.4mm non-ferrous and 0.5mm stainless steel.
Cost-efficient
Customers get a faster and better return on their investment. There’s no need to buy individual detector heads or conveyor systems for each line.
User-friendly operation
All four heads are controlled from one control panel, enabling streamlined access and intuitive operation.
Saves space
Instead of installing four single food metal detectors, this conveyor belt only requires minimal widening to accommodate the single search head. It’s a more compact solution, which is a significant advantage in constrained spaces.
Built-to-last
The stainless steel housings and robust construction enable optimum performance even in harsh conditions, including very hot or freezing environments.
Future-proofed
All Fortress equipment can be easily upgraded to the latest software operating system. Owners benefit from any technological advances and stay at the forefront of detection capabilities.
If you’d like to learn more about why your business needs a Fortress Multi-Lane Food Metal Detector, contact the experts at AccuPak, Australia’s leading supplier of product inspection and weighing equipment.