FEATURE MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY


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AI-DRIVEN SYSTEMS: THE FUTURE


OF SAFE FOOD PRODUCTION?


To meet growing global demand for


food, processors need to explore innovative technology and tools. Fortress Technology


explains how AI-driven ‘All-in-One’ systems could provide the solution


G


lobal food supply has, historically, been able to keep pace with demand. However, the world now consumes three times more


food than it did in the 1960s; and, over the next 20 years, the world’s population is predicted to reach almost ten billion people. Furthermore, one in seven people globally are unable to access sufficient and safe food. So what can be done? There are two major solutions, according


to research analysed by the World Resources Institute: Increasing food production without expanding land and facilities; and taking action to reduce food loss and waste. According to Phil Brown, sales director at


Fortress Technology Europe, finding more sustainable manufacturing practices that boost food safety will be imperative. “Our duty in the food industry is to find and implement new techniques to minimise our impact while simultaneously maximising food production efficiency and safety,” he commented. Increasing food production without ensuring


that food is safe for consumption would be counterintuitive, wasteful and pose a risk to the health and safety of consumers. For food manufacturers, physical space restraints, cost production challenges and sustainability agreements also need to be factored in when expanding production yields. The future of food production will therefore


rely on smart inspection equipment that strengthens food safety, reduces good product waste and doesn’t require a dramatic increase in factory floorspace, Brown explained.


24 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MAY 2025


TECHNOLOGIES IN COMBINATION Metal detection, X-ray, vision inspection and checkweighing are four inspection technologies that are revolutionising how the food industry approaches production and regulatory compliance. Although it is commonplace to see two of


these technologies in combination inspection units or even multi-lane configurations, Fortress Technology eventually anticipates wider adoption and integration of all four in food production environments, particularly at the end of the HACCP packaging lines. By doing this, the industry could see each technology’s respective performance synergistically enhanced, particularly when utilising vision, data analysis and AI tools. This is where an ‘An ‘All-In-One’ system could help. This could streamline food manufacturing workflows, increase productivity, eliminate inefficiencies in production, and help processors to flex to supply chain demands – all while supporting a more sustainable food production future, explained Brown. For example, vision inspection could help to


improve X-ray technology by providing a visual context to the pack being inspected. Vision systems could also enhance checkweigher performance by reading weight labels and provide physical information about pack separation. Likewise, metal detection and


X-ray can work in tandem to inspect for all types of physical contaminants. Where an X-ray can only detect higher density metals, metal detectors can detect both flat and ‘spherical’ metal contaminants. Potentially, these All-In-One inspection


systems could also collect comprehensive data on each inspected pack, including details on weight, size, visual integrity, contaminant detection results and adherence to quality standards. This hub of valuable data in turn helps to increase hazard traceability and production transparency. When compared to purchasing multiple, individual inspection systems, the faster ROI, smaller footprint and operational savings of a single inspection unit can be equally beneficial. “Rather than having four individual machines and conveyors on the line, an All-In- One end of line inspection system could potentially take up around one third of the physical machine footprint,” said Brown. With the future of food supply chains reliant


on optimising manufacturing spaces and food safety to their fullest extent, AI-driven All-In- One systems could very well be the single solution that elevates production and quality standards to a ground-breaking new level.


Fortress Technology (Europe) https://fortresstechnology.co.uk


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