The Netherlands-based company said it had developed the sampling system in response to the need for manufacturers to comply with more stringent food safety requirements.
The ability to obtain “microbiological or quality samples of incoming ingredients, products in preparation and outgoing products are therefore fundamental to the process,” said the company.
The system meets the present performance criteria as laid down by the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) and the ATEX standards, which cover working in a potentially explosive environment – particularly with regards to powdered or granulated products.
The company launched the new sampler (pictured right) last month.
Flexibility
The automatic sampling equipment can be set up for incoming, in-process or outgoing product flows, said Dinnissen.
It has been designed to be used in continuous batch production processes where dry powders, granules or granulates form the basic product mass.
“After determining the exact frequency, volume and weight required for the sample, the sampling system does its job reliably and consistently,” the firm told FoodProductionDaily.com.
Easy release and cleaning
Samples are captured in a sample bag or laboratory beaker, which are housed in in a secure, quick-release fitting.
Activating a release mechanism in the tri-clamp coupling also means the sampling unit itself can be removed speedily and simply for cleaning.
The system offers a capacity of 25 to 1000 grammes per sample. The easy-clean feature extends to the equipment as a whole to guard against of the product flow or samples, said Dinnissen.