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Detectable products: Making good choices

11 July 2024

The adoption of detectable products is key to food safety in a factory today. Food Processing gets some advice on what to look for when specifying detectable products for your production lines.

In food processing and manufacturing environments, the significance of hygienic product design cannot be overstated. It stands as a cornerstone in ensuring the safety and integrity of food products, particularly within high care environments. Correctly designed equipment plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against potential hazards, ranging from cross-contamination, bacterial growth and foreign body contamination. 

Detectable products are designed to take hygiene standards to new heights and they form an integral part of food safety and HACCP procedures worldwide. But how do you decide which detectable product is right for you? Something as simple as choosing a pen can suddenly seem daunting when you consider all of the options available. BST Detectable offers some food for thought on factors to that should be considered when selecting any detectable product.

How detectable?  There are different types of detectability as well as different levels of detectability within those types. There are metal detectable products, made by incorporating metal additives into plastic and rubber compounds. Then there are x-ray visible products, made by incorporating high density additives. Finally there are visually detectable products, this can be achieved by using brightly coloured compounds (usually blue but also other colours for traceability and coordination, to prevent cross contamination of allergens as well as foreign bodies), this is so that the coloured plastic or rubber stands out against the product. A product which incorporates all three will have the highest chance of being detected.

Although higher detectability can have a negative effect on the structural integrity of the product – due to the additives – there are materials which have been formulated to combat this issue. It is possible to have a high functioning material with greater detectability.  Another thing to consider is the worst case scenario of an item becoming a contaminant, a shatter resistant product, with no small internal parts will be detected more easily.

Food safe?  When working with or around food products, it makes sense for any tools intended to come into direct contact with the food products, to be food contact approved, which means that it is suitable to come into direct contact with food, is suitable for its intended use, and will not create a food safety hazard. There are a number of accreditations which can be attributed to a product through testing such as FDA and EU approvals.

Although it is not the intended purpose of an item of stationery such as a pen or clipboard to come into contact with food products, it therefore shows due diligence in the prevention of food safety hazards to ensure that these, and other loose items, are also food contact approved.

Detectable products can also incorporate anti-bacterial properties, further fortifying their role in maintaining hygiene standards. These properties are inherent to the materials themselves, ensuring lasting protection against harmful pathogens.

Colour coding can add another layer of functionality, aiding in the prevention of allergen contamination and other forms of cross-contamination. By assigning specific colours to different product categories or allergens, manufacturers can streamline their processes and minimise the risk of contamination.

Fit for purpose? Having detectable, food contact approved item is one thing, but it also needs to work as intended! Functionality should be the most important aspect of any given product, it needs to work efficiently within its specific environment. What would be the point of an all singing, all dancing detectable product, if it immediately stops working or becomes fragile and brittle in more extreme work environments?

Pens, for example, are known to be less reliable in cold, damp, or greasy conditions. If these environmental conditions apply to you and your workplace, make sure to look for detectable pens with pressurised refills, these will continue to work in all conditions and also allow you to write on vertical surfaces or even upside down if needs be.

Convenience: Finally, there is the design of a product to be considered. The convenience of a product can sometimes make all the difference in day-to-day working life. If an item of stationery can be attached to a lanyard, if a tool can be hung or displayed on a shadow board, if an item has an anti-slip or anti-roll design, these things have the potential to have a huge impact on your organisation and carrying out of general procedures.

And the big question: is the item comfortable to hold and use? Using the same items day after day can have a toll on your body and general comfort if they are not ergonomically designed. Choosing an item which feels nicer, which requires less strain or grip, will reduce fatigue as well as reducing wear on the item.

Conclusion
The adoption of properly designed detectable equipment is indispensable for food processors and manufacturers. When implemented alongside correctly calibrated detection machinery, it not only upholds the highest standards of hygiene but also reinforces the commitment to safety and quality that defines the foods and beverage industry. 


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