Metal Detector Certified Test Pieces Can Make A Real Difference

Metal Detector Certified Test Pieces Can Make A Real Difference

In the world of metal detectors, standards are quite high and with good reason. Using certified test pieces on a regular basis can make a huge difference.  That’s true for your business and for the protection and safety of consumers.

There is almost no avoiding contamination entirely, as all metal machinery and equipment is subject to natural wear and tear. But your should ensure that you have a good quality metal detection system in place.  And you should be testing it on a regular basis.  It’s a straightforward strategy to stay on top of this process and ensure your products are the best quality possible.

Not surprisingly, many industries, including pharmaceuticals and textiles, employ metal detection.  But the food industry has the most vital need for promoting safety. That’s why quality metal detectors are key to meeting the increasing safety standards in the food industry. It’s also why it is so important to employ high quality, properly certified test pieces on a regular basis. Making sure that your products are safe is great for consumers.  But it’s also good for your business, so there’s every reason to follow these safety guidelines.

Metal Detectors

There are several types of metal detectors currently in use today.  But they are very different form the detector wands you might see in an airport or night club. While wands are common in  personal security, detectors in the food industry must locate metal sometimes as small as 0.5mm. That’s a standard no airport detector will ever locate!

In general, the first line of defense in the food industry is an inline detector.  This can be incorporated directly into the production line, usually at the very end, after the products have been packaged. This way each piece passes through the detector and is scanned for the presence of even the smallest possible particle. If a contaminant is detected, the product is automatically rejected so there is no danger of it reaching the public.

Certified Test Pieces

Once you consider the importance of metal detectors, it’s easy to see how test pieces are equally important.  To be sure your metal detector is working properly, it’s necessary to use certified test pieces on a regular basis. These are small plastic devices that contain particles of ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel metals. The test pieces come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  This helps make certain no matter what your metal detector or product, it meets the most stringent food industry standards.

Testing should be done on a regular basis according to a well-designed HACCP plan.  This will most likely involve testing at the beginning of each shift and between each change of product. Each test should be carefully observed and documented so that any problems with contamination can be immediately and properly addressed.

The use of metal detector certified test pieces is really quite simple. The test pieces are put together into a sample pack that is identical to the product being manufactured. When testing is done, you should use ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel 316 test pieces to test. The packs should be passed through the detector 3x.  Once at each position: leading, middle and trailing (last ) edge. If the detector is functioning properly, the metal in the test piece should be detected, and the pack automatically rejected.

Standards for Testing

This level of testing should meet the increasingly stringent food industry standards outlined by the BRC (British Resource Consortium) and the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) as well as a company’s well-defined HAACP plan and ensure that your product is free from contaminants.

To accomplish this, it means using the best quality test pieces, designed specifically for your particular equipment and certified to meet industry standards. Since they are such an integral part of quality control for your business, you can’t afford to skimp where your metal detector test pieces are concerned. That’s why you need a name you can rely on to provide you with top of the line ferrous and non-ferrous pieces.

Since 1998, Regal Packaging Services has been that name for many in the textile, pharmaceutical and food industries. When it comes to metal detector certified test pieces, nobody measures up to Regal. We’ll custom design test pieces to fit your needs and provide free certification with each piece we produce so that you can breathe easier knowing your business is in good hands.