The Danger of Metal Contaminated Food – Magnetic Separators and Metal Detectors

It seems as though every month, we hear about a new scandal in which metal contamination is discovered in a popular food product. It can be chicken tenders, frozen vegetables, or even baby food. The reality is, no product is safe from potential metal contamination. When a company is implicated in a major product recall, customers lose trust and confidence in that company’s brand. In addition to lost revenue, costs such as potential penalties and the need for investigations can also result in undesirable expenses. It is difficult to prevent the introduction of metal into a food processing line, but fortunately, there are many ways to remove metal contamination. By using a combination of metal detection and magnetic separators, food processors can remove metal contamination from their products and ensure customers are only receiving products that are pure and safe.

Metal Detection
When a metal particle passes through a magnetic field, it causes the electromagnetic field to react. Then, an alarm is triggered. It can be difficult to use metal detection to handle certain products, such as meat, but Bunting has responded to industry challenges by designing specialized products such as our meatLINE metal detector.

Magnetic Separation
Typically, magnetic separators are installed before metal detection in a process line to remove magnetically susceptible materials. There are many different types of magnetic separators available, and many of these have been designed to suit specific locations and applications. For example, in-line magnets excel at handling bulk solids materials, and magnetic liquid traps are the best choice for handling slurries and other liquids.

Selecting Magnetic Separators and Metal Detectors

The best way to ensure a food processor’s end product metal free is by installing magnetic separators and metal detectors at critical points in the processing line. Bunting’s engineers work with our customers at every stage of the process to consider the best options and propose the best solutions.

It’s only a matter of time before the next food contamination scandal makes headlines—don’t let it be your company’s name in the news. To protect your company and your customers against the harm caused by metal contamination, contact Bunting today.