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Inspection Specialists |
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Inline Product Inspection Ltd., have a wealth of experience
in the food industry, we are able to advise on choice of
inspection systems relating to product quality and food
safety. |
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Food Safety:
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
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What is HACCP?
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a
programme for the prevention of non-conformances in the Food
Processing Industry.
HACCP and Metal
Detectors
With respect to metal detection, the HACCP food safety programme requires
the following:
Critical Control Point
The metal detector is a food safety critical physical control point of the
danger of metal pollution. If no control is carried out it is
likely to result in a health risk.
GMP - Good Manufacturing
Practice
Here, detectability defines the critical limiting value for the
calibration to the smallest recognisable metal ball. A product
has to be kept free from metal pollution as made possible by
"Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) and according to the latest
state-of-the-art. With reference to metal detectors, this means
that all metal pieces which a modern metal detector reliably
detects on optimum installation have to be removed from the
product.
Critical limiting value
Setting of the critical limiting value, however, must in any
case enable the metal detector to operate in a stable and
reliable manner without triggering random or false alarms.
Systematically and continuously
You must ensure that all products are systematically and
continuously tested by the metal detector.
Documentation
Complete documentation must be made on the operation and results
of the metal detection.
Correction Procedure
If a piece of metal is detected in the production process, it is
absolutely necessary to search for its source. The source of
metal contamination has to be rigorously eliminated in order to
exclude further pollution from the same source.
Maintenance
Modern metal detectors are equipped with an automatic
self-control system and are, therefore, maintenance-free.
Preventive maintenance by the manufacturer of metal detectors
include consulting the customer and verifying the system on site
if it is still correctly installed after a longer operation
period. It is checked if no external interference affects the
system's performance and if the detecting sensitivity for the
current product and site is still optimally set. This includes,
in addition, the training and introduction of new staff and the
integration into quality management.
DIN ISO 9000 and Metal
Detectors
It is recommended to write detailed job instructions for the
metal detector where e. g. the measures to be taken after metal
alarm and testing procedures are laid down. On request, a sample
for job instructions can be obtained from Inline. Furthermore,
reference is made to all the items specified under HACCP.
Sample: Job
instruction according ISO 9000
Job instruction: General Function
Target people: Quality management staff, HACCP-Manager
At job start:
Switch the metal detector on and wait until you read STATUS OK display. Move to the appropriate product number (refer
to job instruction "Recall product number").
Check Metal Detector
Function:
Move some metal free product samples through the metal detector.
A metal alarm should NOT occur!
Move another product sample along with a metal test object
through the sensor head. A metal alarm must occur now!
The test intervals must be short enough. All products having
passed the metal detector since the last test procedure must be
able to re-tested again. In addition, tests should be carried
out at the beginning of working shift and when changing
products.
Production
It should be ensured that all products are systematically and
continuously tested by the metal detector.
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