UK-based Mettler-Toledo Safeline, which is a leading supplier of metal detection and x-ray inspection solutions for industries including food, has launched a collection of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test samples to prevent the contamination of food with materials such as plastic, glass and stainless steel.
The samples are placed on food production lines or within products to ensure that inspection systems are operating correctly.
The test samples, which are already available worldwide, have been designed to be “hard-wearing for repeated use” and will not taint food products with fragments.
David Blythe, Mettler-Toledo Safeline’s global head of service told FoodProductionDaily.com that FDA certification, which incorporates food contact approval, has become a must in the food processing sector.
The certification is the highest standards in the industry, Blythe added.
Industry demand
“One thing people are asking for at the moment is for FDA certification and for the test samples to be sourced from FDA certified materials,” said Blythe.
“A lot of people don’t publicise the fact they have FDA certification. If they do have it, then they’re not broadcasting it. The reason why we did it was that previous samples were not good enough for the market.”
“We have to meet these criteria for certified samples in order to meet the demands of customers. The food industry demands the use of products with FDA certification.”
“They want to see that these standards are used - we can offer that,” Blythe added.
The test samples, which are available in a range of sizes, follow an internationally recognised colour coding system and are suitable for use with all metal detection and x-ray machines.
For metal detection systems, ferrous samples are marked in red, brass in yellow, stainless steel in blue and aluminium in green.
Soda lime glass, PVC and Teflon, which are used to test x-ray systems, are marked in black.
Metal, rubber contamination
This type of practice has become vital to ensure that inspections systems meet food safety regulations and prevent potential public health hazards, according to Mettler-Toledo Safeline.
UK-retailer Morrisons was recently forced to issue a recall on a batch of its own-brand Whole Nut Milk Chocolate over fears that it may be contaminated with small pieces of metal.
Irish food safety authorities announced a similar warning in 2011, after supermarket chain Aldi began a precautionary recall of Ballymore Crust Fresh White Sliced Bread after it became aware that a number of the loaves were potentially contaminated with small pieces of rubber.