Phil advises: “X-ray should always be
used as a complementary technology to
metal detection. However, x-ray does
play a critical role in food safety. It
is important to do a full analysis for
your business before you implement
x-ray to assess whether it would really
benefit your business. However, in
plants where there is an additional risk
of contamination from stone, glass,
bone, rubber and plastic, then x-ray is
a vital addition to operations. X-ray is
also crucial for inspecting products in
metallised packaging, for example cans,
tins or foil.“
The very nature of a metal detector
means there are limitations; ferrous
metals and products that have one or
more of the characteristics are easier to
detect, but metal such as non-magnetic
stainless steel is harder to pick up as
this metal is a bad conductor. Certain
food products with added iron, moisture,
salt and acids, also tend to mask metal
detection.
Known as the ‘product effect’, this can
impact the detector’s performance.
Phil states: “An x-ray machine would
bridge this gap in capabilities ensuring
the process in place is a “catch-all” and
that the manufacturer is covering all
bases and treating safety and quality as
seriously as it merits. By adding x-ray
into the inspection mix helps to ensure a
robust screening process.”
FUTURE PROOFING FOOD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
The cost of adding x-ray into processing
lines has previously been a deterrent
for manufacturers - the price can
be 5 to 10 times more than a metal
detector. Additionally, due to the heat
source element, careful consideration
on placement is also a factor for
temperature-controlled environments.
Yet, any initial costs and increased
maintenance costs incurred when
implementing x-ray in a production
process would pale in significance
compared to the potential costs of a food
recall. “The fines or penalties and drain
on resources and business interruption
at the production plant could potentially
be devastating for a business,” notes Phil.
When working together, the x-ray
machine’s capabilities are best suited to
an in-line inspection position while metal
detectors are better located towards the
end of the processing line, often after
packaging. Additionally, gravity systems
where product is moving through an
aperture at very high speed won’t lend
themselves well to x-ray detection.
In addition to food safety, an x-ray
machine has plenty of added benefits.
For example, it can flag if there are
any missing components in product
i.e. specific ingredients in ready meals,
missing chocolates in a box or meat
absorbers in raw meat. It can also detect
any broken or mispackaging that has
occurred during the processing, ensuring
absolute quality of the end product.
OPTIMISING FOOD SAFETY
Sparc offers a variety of x-ray machines.
Two solutions include the Apollo and
Theia X-ray machines. Both utilise x-ray
inspection to detect contaminants and
dispose of contaminated packs into
lockable bins located
beneath the conveyor.
They automatically
remove fails from
the production
line speeding up
throughput and
preventing
any delays
or downtime. The Theia system also
comprises checkweighing, and disposes
packages that have an out-of-tolerance
weight into a separate lockable bin;
so contaminated packs don’t get
confused for under/overfilled ones.
The company was also the first in
the world to consider the possibility
of combining metal detection and
x-ray technology into a single unit.
As well as being highly innovative,
this ‘catch-all’ solution delivers a
more cost effective solution for endusers
compared to implementing and
maintaining two separate machines.
Keeping in mind that the issue of cost
can be prohibitive for some companies
wanting to install x-ray, all Sparc
machines run solely on electric. By
cutting out the need for compressed
air this reduces the cost of operation
significantly, with reports of an annual
£4,000 saving per machine.
The machines are designed for food
production with safety and hygiene as
a priority for example design features
such as sheet steel which prevents fluid
build-up and consequently bacteria risks.
Sparc offers free assessments of
packaging and labelling to help identify
potential risks, suggest improvements
and help with regulation compliances.
Phil sums up by warning businesses
“The secret to gaining long-term
consumer loyalty is complete
transparency in your food production
processes. By ensuring that every base
is covered during the safety inspection
of your food you are providing your
customers with complete reassurance
that the food they are buying is safe for
consumption.”
www. sparc-systems.com
FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 11