MATERIALS HANDLING
The X12 Mettler Toledo x-ray inspection system can identify contamination in food produce
THE PERFECT READY MEAL Miriam Krechlok from Mettler-Toledo explains how inspection technologies can keep ready meals safe, compliant and tasty
Ready meals today offer more than just convenience. From dehydrated noodles to sauced pasta dishes, such dishes have become a sophisticated product category. However, each type of ready meal poses unique production challenges.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES Inspection technologies, such as metal detection, x-ray inspection, vision inspection and checkweighing are crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of ready meals. These technologies help detect physical contaminants, achieve proper labelling and confirm consistent portion sizes.
CHALLENGES IN DRY READY MEAL PRODUCTION Dry ready meals, such as instant noodles, dehydrated soups and rice mixes, present specific challenges. One of the primary issues is the generation of dust and fine particles during production. These particles can interfere with inspection systems and obscure contaminants, making detection difficult. Once
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the ingredients are fried and dried, maintaining hygiene becomes critical, and confirming packaging integrity is essential to prevent moisture from compromising product freshness.
EXAMPLE IN ACTION: INSTANT NOODLES Take the production of instant noodles as an example. This popular meal involves several key steps, each presenting its own challenges:
• Raw material inspection: The process begins with inspecting incoming raw materials, such as flour and oil. Advanced metal detection systems are employed early in the process to screen these ingredients for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and stainless steel, capturing contaminants before they can enter the production line.
• Mitigating explosion risk: Inspection of dusty, powdered products such as flour carries a potential explosion risk. If using a metal detection system at this stage, it is important to select one with a suitable design that complies with explosion prevention regulations such as ATEX / IECeX.
• Advanced detection technology: To combat product issues, advanced metal detection technologies, such as Multi-Simultaneous Frequency systems, are often employed. These systems use multiple detection frequencies simultaneously, allowing the equipment to distinguish between the product and actual contaminants.
The frying and drying stages of making dry noodles will introduce additional contamination risks from oil and fine particles. Oil can trap contaminants or coat foreign objects, complicating detection. Fine particles can obscure contaminants, particularly in dusty environments. To address these risks, metal detection systems are employed post-frying to identify any remaining foreign bodies. Checkweighers are also utilised to confirm that portion sizes remain consistent, further supporting product quality and reducing waste.
PACKAGING AND FINAL INSPECTION During the packaging stage, x-ray technology is crucial for scanning for contaminants such as glass or
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