Smart Objects And Interiors Zapping Food Safety Hazards In Food Plants
Food contamination is one of the number-one reasons food processors fail food safety audits. The public concern over food safety was recently highlighted when metal pins and glass shards were found in the food at the Warner Bros. studio where Harry Potter films are made.
Food contaminations are a major cause of reputational damage and reduced sales for food manufacturers. Over 200 food-borne diseases will contaminate one in 10 people worldwide this year. Unfortunately, all the sorcery in Harry Potter films cannot detect and prevent foreign objects in food. Fortunately, smart floors, sensors, and detectable pens can detect biological, chemical, and physical food hazards.
Detectable Pens And Supplies
Detectable pens are becoming the magic wand of food production. If metal detectable pens fall onto the food conveyor, they are detected by the equipment. The type of detectable products available in food manufacturing is rapidly expanding. They include detectable caps and labels used on hand sanitizers and other products. Ideally, these detectable products will also be shatterproof. Companies like Detectapro make these detectable pens.
Smart Floors and Walls
With the tremendous advances in material science, any food plant would be remiss to not explore how smart flooring material could improve food safety on their shop floors. Scientists are producing coatings with powerful antibacterial, sterile, and impermeability properties. Floor and wall coatings that kill germs are reducing biological contamination. Antimicrobial biofilms are being developed and applied to equipment and packaging.
These antibacterial properties are also being applied to detectable pens, clipboards, and other assembly line tools. If foreign objects do come in contact with food, typically the food has to be destroyed. The combination of metal detectable products with antibacterial properties can save significant costs on food loss.
Food Sensors
Tiny sensors have long monitored temperature, moisture, and other environmental conditions that create breeding grounds for pathogens. Sensors are being developed to detect more and more specific bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Scanners can be highly customized to protect a wide range of food hazards for different food plant environments.
Handheld sensors are being widely commercialized for consumer use. People with allergies are identifying allergens in food. Consumers can detect E. coli, salmonella, and other common pathogens in meat and other food products. Even if these detectable levels are not harmful, food pathogens are becoming a higher risk for food manufacturers. Smart technology will play a significantly important role throughout the food production and consumption chain in reducing food contamination risks.
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