Outstanding quality control

With ever more importance being placed on the quality and purity of products, both the food and pharmaceutical industries are coming under increasingly scrutiny. Legislation dictates that stringent measures must be taken to thoroughly ensure that the final product is free from harmful contaminants, such as metals. In addition, the risk of contamination during production must be minimised to assure customers that due diligence is being taken.

Leslie Hunt, MD at Constant Instruments, distributor of metal detectors by Italian company CEIA, knows first hand exactly how important it is to have the right metal detection solution in place, and explains why it is imperative for manufacturers to make the right capital investment to ensure the superior quality of their production line.

“Metal contaminants are in the top 10 most common contaminants found in food processing. This fact, coupled with the amount of metal and stainless steel processing equipment that could potentially cause foreign body contamination, make metal detection the most suitable for many processing environments.

“At Constant Instruments, our engineers are highly qualified and trained to understand the importance of electromagnetic fields and their applications. Our technology is designed specifically with our customers in mind, helping them cope with the practicalities of installing an efficient, reliable and robust metal detection system; one they can rely on for years, and will meet varied and wide-reaching inspection requirements.

“Our philosophy has always been not to expand into markets where we do not have the appropriate after sales support. Thus, the initial development of our new THS/MS21 was confined to the UK and Italy. But the success of the THS metal detector soon attracted the attention of the industry in other countries, and now the product is sold and supported successfully throughout Europe, Japan, Australasia and the USA.

“We have recently launched a new multi spectrum metal detector that is set to raise the standards of metal detecting and blow the parameters of applied due diligence apart. Manufacturers are being required to adopt the most modern techniques and technology available on the market, and with THS/MS21 we have developed a new generation of metal detector, which guarantees food products can be checked for metal contaminants with unprecedented sensitivity.

“Improvements in technology now mean that systems can operate at different frequencies, offering better sensitivity across a wider range of products and packaging. Previous instruments in our range already had unequalled sensitivity, but latest multispectrum models provide inspection standards until now only seen in the pharmaceutical industry.

“Though most metal detection providers are now able to provide multi-frequency technology, we have taken it to the next level. The THS/MS21 will ascertain the exact frequency required to effectively inspect a product, not simply high, low or medium, but exactly. By perfecting this technology we have developed the most accurate, efficient and reliable inspection equipment on the market. With sensitivity up to 30% higher than that of earlier models, the instrument can detect contaminant particles at high speed even in difficult, highly conductive products such as those containing high levels of salt or fat. Non-magnetic and magnetic metals can be detected, including high grade stainless steel. When a contaminant is identified the unit triggers immediate ejection of the product.

“The advances we have made in levels of precision inspection, in turn, have given peace of mind to consumers. Manufacturers realise that the capital investment in a high quality metal detection solution is an essential part of brand protection. Metal detection will always be a trusted method of inspection that manufacturers can’t afford to ignore. At Constant Instruments, we are continuing to develop our technology to help manufacturers communicate their commitment and due diligence to outstanding quality control.”