EQUIPMENT
All in the process
Phil Brown, sales director at Fortress Technology Europe, on the importance of checkweighing, contaminant detection and inspection equipment.
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In terms of the pasta sector, how can your machinery help? All food processors supplying retail, wholesale and foodservice can benefit from installing quality contaminant detection and inspection equipment. There are certain safety legal standards that must be met in terms of hygiene and pest control, but it is the retailer or hospitality venue that is legally responsible for making sure what they sell is safe for consumers to eat. That’s why they set stringent codes of practice for suppliers to adhere to, including inspection standards. An inspection system can be integrated almost anywhere along a pasta processing line. In most instances, Fortress would recommend an inline or end of line metal detector, as there are often high levels of automation. For example, sieving and mixing raw ingredients, rolling, cutting, scoring, baking, weighing, etc. If processing equipment is not properly maintained, it augments the risk of metal parts or flakes breaking off and causing a contaminant. With dry ingredients like uncooked pasta, processors typically install a large, gravity-style inspection configuration at an upstream critical control point.
Custom manufactured to accommodate different factory layouts – including mezzanine floors, ceiling mounts and between product chutes and hoppers – the Fortress Stealth Gravity metal detector is packed full of useful labour, workforce safety and time-saving features. Plus, our Automate UK 2024 award-winning Halo Automatic Testing technology to eliminate downtime. However, if the meals are prepared ready for foodservice companies to heat through, X-ray equipment may be utilised to detect non-metallic contaminants, e.g. bones. This is more common for premium meals or prepared foods targeted at young children or the elderly. Processed liquids, pastes and soft meats used in pasta sauces can be passed through a pipeline metal detector prior to mixing with other ingredients. Additionally, prepared meals featuring specific portions of individual ingredients may benefit from an in-line checkweighing system. Used for product applications like pasta and pizza dough or ready-made meatballs, these machines help to ensure portions are the correct amount, weight and size. Fortress also has a fully integrated, retail-spec conveyor metal detector www.pizzapastamagazine.co.uk 28/10/2024 10:15