On top of this, snack manufacturers in the U.S. face increasing pressure to achieve Safe Quality Food (SQF) compliance. Some X-ray food inspection systems can help manufacturers meet the rigorous requirements necessary to achieve SQF certification with features like validation mode for unique login credentials and XML files for data storage that support manufacturers’ audit processes.
Product inspection equipment can also help manufacturers comply with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points principles, as well as achieve certification to the following Global Food Safety Initiative-recognized schemes:
- The British Retail Consortium, or BRC, Global Standard for Food Safety;
- International Featured Standard, or IFS; and
- ISO 22000:2005.
Furthermore, systems can assist manufacturers in complying with national food safety regulations and retailers’ own codes of practice.
Data is King—Traceability and Reports
The ability to swiftly identify and isolate unsafe food is crucial to ensure snack safety and avoid product recalls.
The latest X-ray inspection equipment can improve product traceability by recording valuable production data and machine status information, and enabling quick and easy access to it. Systems store images of all rejected packs, which are date and time stamped with the product name and can be taken off the X-ray machine and stored on a manufacturer’s computer in chronological order. These offer traceability on any complaints or returns as the production times/codes can be immediately cross-referenced.
By recording large amounts of useful information, X-ray machines can also help to identify trends and instigate preventive action to reduce the occurrence of contamination.
What’s more, in the event of a legal claim, X-ray food inspection equipment can help manufacturers provide a due diligence defense by demonstrating that they took all reasonable, practicable steps throughout the manufacturing process to avoid the breach of food safety regulations.
Draus, marketing manager at Eagle Product Inspection, has over 12 years of experience and a diversified skill set in business-to-business environments. Reach her at [email protected].
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