MIXING, WEIGHING & CONVEYING
Fortress Technology recommends that processors achieve an optimal balance between hygiene and functionality. The Huuskes’ production environment demonstrates this
Fortress Technology’s stainless steel metal detector and X-ray systems, for example, eliminate pooling, promote water runoff and faster drying. Hollow areas are sealed, and continuous welds, smooth finishes and rounded edges prevent contaminant harbourage points.
PUTTING SANITATION FIRST
contamination and production errors, but their performance depends heavily on hygienic design. The PMMI Food Safety and Sanitation Trends report, published in November 2025, shows that ease of cleaning is now the main factor users consider when assessing new food processing and inspection equipment. The report also notes a growing focus on automated functions that reduce manual intervention during sanitation. When production equipment incorporates thoughtful design and the right technology, it supports regulatory compliance while making cleaning easier and production conditions safer. This has increased demand for features such as clean-in-place systems and corrosion-resistant stainless steel surfaces that simplify sanitation and reduce contamination risks.
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At the same time the regulatory landscape is evolving. Since 1995, all machinery placed on the UK market must meet the Supply of Machinery (Safety) regulations (SMR08 and its preceding regulations), which includes safety by design. Specifically, these UK regulations require that machinery used in any aspect of food production, packing and inspection are designed and constructed in such a way to avoid any risk of infection, sickness or contagion.
“These hygienic design principles extend to critical inspection equipment such as metal detectors, checkweighers, X-ray and
20 MARCH 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL
ood inspection equipment supports product safety by identifying
combination systems, all of which must be built to withstand harsh washdown conditions and prevent residue or debris accumulation. In an industry where a single recall can redefine a brand’s future, excellence in hygiene is foundational to business resilience,” said Phil Brown, Fortress Technology’s European Sales Director.
According to the 2025 PMMI report, nearly three quarters (73%) of end users surveyed rely solely on internal teams to execute their sanitation processes. Using a combination of Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Clean Out -of -Place (COP) techniques is most common, with only 13% of survey respondents saying they use just one of these sanitation methods. Three quarters of those surveyed (75%) also use a combination of wet and dry sanitation processes.
Labour shortages and employee turnover is repeatedly cited in the PMMI report as the number one operational challenge by food processors. Constant changes in personnel, can make it especially challenging to ensure all staff are consistently meeting Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP). For this reason, Fortress Technology intentionally concentrates its efforts on developing smarter designs to support processors to enhance hygiene and safety measures. This includes meeting the core four design principles of cleanability and accessibility, material selection, avoidance of crevices and functionality.
Self-draining surfaces and angled frames on
Other hygienic and time saving features include eliminating the use of tools on the company’s newest range of food inspection systems. This allows food processing personnel to quickly and easily lift conveyors off frames to facilitate deeper and faster cleaning by trained operatives. Improving line efficiencies, the belt tension and alignment are instantly restored when reassembled after maintenance and cleaning. Survey respondents indicate that
Minimising food contamination risks starts with the way production equipment is designed, built and maintained says Fortress Technology, who explores how design choices align with “sanitation first” priorities
automated functions, sanitation safe HMIs and digital reporting capabilities are the top three features they want to see on all future machines.
The hygiene benefits of automatic testing are multiple, highlights Brown. Halo Automatic Testing, for example, minimises the risk associated with manual handling of test samples. Automated testing performs precise, mess-free validation without interrupting production or compromising hygiene. For added traceability and food safety assurance, Halo Automatic Testing can be combined with Fortress Technology’s Contact 4.0 reporting software to build a stronger and irrefutable data-driven food safety culture. Huuskes, a convenience meal supplier in Europe, built its production around hygienic design and advanced inspection technology. Its automated facility features more than 20 Fortress Technology metal detection systems, including six ultra-hygienic, CIP Stealth metal detectors that inspect over 15,000 meals daily. Each IP69K-rated unit allows for full washdowns without removing conveyor belts, cutting cleaning time, preventing cross- contamination and supporting Huuskes’ stringent sanitation and HACCP protocols. For more information, download Fortress Technology’s newest whitepaper The Role of Hygienic Equipment Design in Meat and Poultry Processing.
Fortress Technology
fortresstechnology.com
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