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To assure the highest level of food safety possible for their customers, leading retailers have established requirements or codes of practice regarding foreign object prevention and detection. One of the most stringent food safety standards was developed by Marks and Spencer (M&S), a leading retailer in the UK. Its standard specifies what type of foreign object detection system should be used, how it must function to assure rejected products are removed from production, how the systems should “fail” safely under all conditions, how it should be audited, what records must be kept and what the desired sensitivity is for various size metal detector apertures, among others. It also specifies when an X-ray system should be used instead of a metal detector.
Keep reading to learn how the Thermo Scientific Sentinel Multiscan Metal Detector, the Thermo Scientific Sentinel Selectscan Metal Detector, and Thermo Scientific NextGuard X-ray Inspection Systems meet these stringent requirements, or download the backgrounder, Foreign Object Detection Compliance with Retailer Codes of Practice.
M&S requires the following system features to meet its basic requirements. Please note all these items are standard on Thermo Scientific™ M&S-compliant systems.
For applications where a higher level of compliance is requested, systems should include an exit check sensor and a speed encoder. These items are supported but optional on Thermo Scientific M&S-compliant systems.
To ensure all production is inspected correctly, the following failsafe features create faults or alarms to notify operators. They are standard in all M&S-compliant systems with the exception of Exit Check.
Please note all faults and alarms must persist after a power cycle and only a QA manager or similar high-level user with a key switch can clear them and restart the line. If desired, this clear function can also be implemented on the Sentinel metal detector or NextGuard X-ray system front panel.
All standard Thermo Scientific M&S-compliant systems include the capabilities to execute the following rejection-related tests, assuring system integrity at all times.
Reject Confirmation Test
Bin Full Test
Belt Stop systems will include an audible and/or visible reject indicator and a key-switch to restart the system. Retracting belt systems should be used when more than one pack is being inspected across the width of the belt or products are randomly positioned on the conveyor in bulk mode.
All Thermo Scientific metal detectors and X-ray systems include software to automate the auditing process while in production. The system will notify the operator when it is time to audit and prompt them to pass the challenge products with foreign objects. With APEX metal detectors, this feature is called QAT (Quality Audit Test) and with the Sentinel metal detector and NextGuard X-ray system it is called QA Check. Reports are saved on the system showing the time of an audit and if it passed or failed. To meet the M&S auditing requirement it is necessary to create test products for a metal detector with metal in three positions – leading edge, center and trailing edge. To facilitate this test, QA Check can be configured to run three times instead of just once.
Level 1 Sensitivity: This is the target range of test piece sizes which should be detectable based on the height of the product on the conveyor and the use of an appropriately sized metal detector. It is expected that the best sensitivity (i.e. smallest test sample) is achieved for each food product.
Level 2 Sensitivity: This range should only be used where documented evidence is available to show that test piece sizes within the Level 1 Sensitivity range are not achievable due to high product effect or the use of metallized film packaging. Again it is expected that the best sensitivity (i.e. smallest test sample) is achieved for each food product. When using metal detection in the Level 2 range it is recommended to use the Sentinel metal detector with multiscan technology. Its adjustability, higher sensitivity and increased probability of detection will yield the best results.
Overcome the limitations of fixed single or dual frequency metal detectors in the food industry with the Thermo Scientific Sentinel Multiscan Metal Detector. Scan up to five user-selectable frequencies at a time for unmatched sensitivity.
Selectscan technology enables food processors to have an easy way to rapidly identify the single best frequency for an application. It tunes out product effect and adapts results to account for temperature changes and electromagnetic interference. At the same time it provides documentation of results from each production run. It is a completely new and holistic approach.
Transition easily and quickly from metal detection to x-ray inspection with the versatile Thermo Scientific NextGuard Conveyor X-ray Detection System, with enhanced capabilities to inspect packaged products for missing pieces or components, under and over-fills, and other quality problems.
Overcome the limitations of fixed single or dual frequency metal detectors in the food industry with the Thermo Scientific Sentinel Multiscan Metal Detector. Scan up to five user-selectable frequencies at a time for unmatched sensitivity.
Selectscan technology enables food processors to have an easy way to rapidly identify the single best frequency for an application. It tunes out product effect and adapts results to account for temperature changes and electromagnetic interference. At the same time it provides documentation of results from each production run. It is a completely new and holistic approach.
Transition easily and quickly from metal detection to x-ray inspection with the versatile Thermo Scientific NextGuard Conveyor X-ray Detection System, with enhanced capabilities to inspect packaged products for missing pieces or components, under and over-fills, and other quality problems.
Originally presented by Food Safety Magazine, November 4, 2020
Read A Practical Guide to Metal Detection and X-ray Inspection of Food, a newly updated and expanded foreign object detection ebook for the food industry to: