Frequently Asked Questions

When cleaning inspection equipment in food factories, there is no one set cleaning regime to follow. A high-care versus low-care area of a factory will have very different needs as high-care is often wet or dusty, with greater bacterial risk, whereas a low-care area is likely to require less work to keep it clean as a lower bacterial risk.

To establish and complete the most suitable cleaning regime for your inspection equipment, particularly for high-care production areas, specialist cleaning companies are available to provide professional guidance. Such experts are critical in advising how best to manage bacterial risks, and with bugs often becoming resilient to cleaning chemicals, they will often recommend rotating different chemicals to help in preventing contamination.

 

Basic cleaning advice

In addition to getting expert advice, there are some basic “must-follow” steps when cleaning your inspection equipment:

Read Instructions
Always follow the cleaning chemical manufacturer’s instructions.

Concentration Levels
Do not exceed the cleaning chemical manufacturer’s stipulated cleaning chemical concentration levels, as an incorrect ratio might damage the equipment.

Contact Time
Never exceed the time you leave cleaning product in contact with the inspection equipment, as it might be detrimental to the cleaning results, plus harmful to the equipment.

Rinsing
The equipment requires a through rinsing with cold water to remove all cleaning products. There are 5-stages of rinsing: pre-rinse, a detergent rise, rinse, disinfectant rinse, final rinse.

Drying
Where possible, dry the equipment prior to recommencing production as prevents the long-term pooling of water that could present a corrosion risk.

Swab
Before recommencing production, it is recommended doing a swab test to ensure the required level of hygiene is maintained and is confirmed as bacteria free.

Contamination can happen at any point in the production process including at source.  Critical Control Points (CCP) are put in place to prevent any potential issues from leaving the factory to help protect the consumer. Hygiene also provides a vital role in eliminating bacterial contamination.

Examples of physical contamination include; production line failure such as broken processing machinery, stones picked up at source in farming of the products or raw materials, bones within a product such as chicken or fish etc.

A contaminant is either physical or bacterial and can happen at any stage of the production process. Examples of physical contamination include;

• All Metals from other machine failure in the line
• Stones
• Bones
• Glass
• Incects
• Wood
• Plastics 

Short answer

HACCP is a systematic approach to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards based on the following seven principles:

Principle 1: Conduct a hazard analysis.
Principle 2: Determine the critical control points (CCPs).
Principle 3: Establish critical limits.
Principle 4: Establish monitoring procedures.
Principle 5: Establish corrective actions.
Principle 6: Establish verification procedures.
Principle 7: Establish record-keeping and documentation procedures.

Slightly longer answer

HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product. For successful implementation of a HACCP plan, management must be strongly committed to the HACCP concept. A firm commitment to HACCP by top management provides company employees with a sense of the importance of producing safe food.

HACCP is designed for use in all segments of the food industry from growing, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, distributing, and merchandising to preparing food for consumption. Prerequisite programs such as current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) are an essential foundation for the development and implementation of successful HACCP plans. Food safety systems based on the HACCP principles have been successfully applied in food processing plants, retail food stores, and food service operations. The seven principles of HACCP have been universally accepted by government agencies, trade associations and the food industry around the world.

Taken from the UK Food Standards Agency and the US department of Health and Human services website.

An X-ray system will offer the similar levels as a metal detector when it comes to ferrous and non-ferrous contaminants, but it will far excel with stainless steel, foil packaging and metallised film Detection. X-ray systems also offer the ability to detect bone, glass, ceramic or stone and dense plastics whilst also checking for product integrity, making it the complete solution in contaminant detection.

There are many agencies world wide that are responsible for Food safety standards

European Union

The parliament of the European Union (EU) makes regulations in the form of directives, many of which are mandatory and are incorporated into member countries' national legislation. The EU parliament is advised on food safety by the European Food Safety Authority.

United Kingdom

The Food Standards Agency is the government department responsible for food safety In the UK and hygiene across the UK.

United States

The US food system is regulated by federal, state and local officials. The Food and Drug Administration publishes the Food Code, a set of guidelines that help food control authorities regulate the retail and food service industries.As well as the US Food and Drug Administration, several states have their own state programs to test for pesticide residues

LOMA SYSTEMS is a world leading brand in the food, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, offering Metal Detectors, Checkweighers and X-ray inspection systems.

Our reputation is based on consistent quality and advanced technology, the result of a continuous and far-reaching research and development program. Short lead times, modular design and excellent availability of spare parts, coupled with our passion for customer service, allow our customers to:

• Comply with, and exceed, product safety standards, weight legislation and retailer codes of practice
• Maximize production up-time
• Be self-sufficient
• Minimize lifetime costs

Our headquarters are based in the UK with direct sales and service operations in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, China, Canada and the US. We work closely with our distributors and OEM’s in over 100 countries worldwide to ensure that all our customers are fully supported.

Ever since LOMA SYSTEMS was founded in 1969, the company has worked very closely with both food manufacturers and retailers to deliver advances in technology. As a result, LOMA has an unrivalled level of experience and expertise, in the practice of effective metal detection within food industry production lines.

Our latest introduction of the IQ4 series of Metal Detectors is the result bringing together the combined experience of LOMA, LOCK Inspection, CINTEX and BRAPENTA, and nearly 50 years of customer-back innovation. LOMA’s engineering teams have employed our Designed to Survive philosophy to deliver great metal detection sensitivity in a package that is easy to install; easy to use; easy to clean and maintain; can withstand the arduous food production environments; and ultimately brings a brilliant cost of ownership.

Metal detection and X-ray inspection offer different capabilities – to assess which you should choose, you should carry out a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points audit. If the audit determines that metal is likely to be the only contaminant found, then a metal detector is likely to be the most cost-effective solution, however, if other issues such as packaging and product effect are raised by the audit then it is recommended you perform a full product test to establish the most suitable technology.

If, the audit determines that metal and other contaminants such as glass, mineral stone, calcified bone or high-density plastics and rubber are likely to be encountered, then X-ray is the only suitable solution. In many cases, there’s only one suitable solution. However, there may be occasions when it could be helpful to install both metal detection and X-ray inspection systems on the same production line.

LOMA are unable to state that metal detectors are safe for someone fitted with a heart pace-maker or any other kind of electronic implant, as we have no knowledge of heart pace-makers or other types of implant nor the particular limits that the individual person is fitted with.

However, we can confirm that our equipment meets all relevant safety standards, and the magnetic field strengths emitted into the environment by our equipment are at no higher a level than other electrical machinery that would be encountered in a factory environment. - i.e. if the person is permitted to work near electrical machinery then our equipment will not pose a risk.

We would clearly not recommend passing any person’s body through a metal detector.

Oui bien évidement. Les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X sont parfaitement sûrs (si vous suivez correctement les préconisations prévus). La série des systèmes d'inspection par rayons X Loma X5 est fabriquée en conformité selon les normes de radioprotection afin de garantir que les émissions sont maintenues en dessous de 1 μSv / heure pendant leur fonctionnement. Du fait de leur nature, les systèmes à rayons X utilisés pour l'inspection agroalimentaire sont sûrs et les émissions sont nettement inférieures à celles de nombreuses sources de rayonnement X telles que les rayons X médicaux, le gaz Radon, la désintégration gamma dans les roches, les rayons cosmiques et même le soleil. Le taux de rayonnement « de fond » moyen dans le monde est d’environ 2,7 mSv / an. Travailler une semaine de 40 heures pendant 48 semaines par an à côté d'un système à inspection par rayons X Loma équivaut à 0,78 mSv / an de moins. Un vol transatlantique pendant 8 heures fournit une dose de rayonnement beaucoup plus élevée qu'un système d'inspection par rayons X.
Vous pouvez consulter plus d'informations sur l'utilisation « sans danger » des rayons X dans l'industrie agroalimentaire ici.

Comme pour tout système d'inspection, cela dépend de l'application, de l'endroit où vous voulez inspecter vos produits dans votre processus de production, de la taille de ces derniers et des contaminants étrangers que vous cherchez à détecter. Les systèmes à rayons X X5 de Loma sont proposés pour une large gamme d’applications : produits en vrac, emballés, en tuyauterie. À titre d’exemple : si vous recherchez une solution d'inspection pour des saucisses en sortie de poussoir pour la détection d'os (en complément des particules métalliques), il faudra envisager un Pipeline X5 avec système de rejet par vanne.

Lors de l'installation d'un système d'inspection par rayons X sur un site de production agroalimentaire, les réglementations selon les pays peuvent êtres différentes. En ce qui concerne la France :

• Le site où sera implanté le système ou son Groupe (multi-sites) devra avoir un PCR (Personne Compétente en Radioprotection). Stage de 3 à 5 jours auprès de l'Apave.
• Le système d'inspection par rayons X doit avoir un certificat selon la norme NFC74100. Certificat délivré par Loma. L'ensemble de nos rayons X sont certifiés.
• Le client devra faire une déclaration d'utilisation auprès de l'ASN (Autorité de Sureté Nucléaire). L'ensemble de nos rayons X sont enregistrés auprès de cet organisme. Le SAV Loma France (ayant son propre PCR) accompagne ses clients dans cette procédure.
• Le client à l'obligation de faire vérifier son rayons X (à ses frais) auprès d'un organisme agréé comme l'Apave.

Tout comme la détection de métaux, il existe deux types d'étalonnage associés aux systèmes d'inspection par rayons X.  Premièrement, afin d’être en conformité selon les cahiers des charges de vos auditeurs et selon les normes en vigueurs, les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X doivent être vérifiés une fois par an pour en normaliser la détection et s'assurer que le système fonctionne correctement. Un certificat de conformité est délivré lors de cette visite par notre SAV Loma. Deuxièmement, un système d'inspection par rayons X devra être étalonné pour chaque nouveau produit afin que celui-ci puisse « apprendre le produit » et définir des seuils pour atteindre les meilleures tailles de détection de contaminants possibles. Une fois qu'un produit a été appris une fois, il peut être rappelé en un clic sans avoir besoin de réapprendre à moins qu'il y ait un changement dans sa composition (densité).

Bien que l'inspection par rayons X et la détection de métaux soient utilisées pour vérifier la présence de contaminants dans les produits alimentaires et pharmaceutiques, les technologies présentent des capacités et des avantages différents. Chaque technologie sera importante pour différentes raisons en fonction de l'application et de la situation. Les détecteurs de métaux sont principalement utilisés lorsque seule la détection des contaminants métalliques est nécessaire, c'est pourquoi ils ont tendance à être l'option la moins onéreuse. A mesure que la technologie a évolué au fil des années, les tailles de contaminants métalliques détectés sont de plus en plus petites. Les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X offrent également la possibilité de détecter non seulement tous les métaux, mais également d'autres contaminants tels que les os, la céramique, le verre et les plastiques de haute densités. L'inspection par rayons X permet également de vérifier l'intégrité du produit (en s'assurant que le produit est complet et exempt de défauts). Il convient également de noter que les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X peuvent détecter de manière fiable de plus petits contaminants dans les produits plus difficiles à contrôler avec les détecteurs de métaux.

Oui, les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X de Loma Systems ont été conçus pour une utilisation simple et permettre leurs utilisations à l'ensemble du personnel d'une ligne de fabrication ayant reçu une formation simple sur son fonctionnement lors de la formation de base reçue lors de la première mise en service du système. Il est recommandé aux femmes enceintes de NE PAS travailler dans une zone où un système de radiographie est en service. Tout comme la détection de métaux, afin d'avoir une compréhension plus approfondie du système et de ses capacités complètes, des cours de formation préconçus sont disponibles à tous les niveaux, y compris l'ingénieur et les experts en la matière (SME). Il convient de noter qu'un PCR (Personne Compétente en Radioprotection) doit faire partie de vos employés. Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter la question ci-dessous.

Les systèmes d'inspection par rayons X sont très performants pour détecter différents contaminants, mais avec le plastique, cela dépend de ses caractéristiques et du type de produit dans lequel vous souhaitez le trouver. L'orientation, la masse, la densité, le volume du plastique dans un produit a un impact sur la facilité de détection. Par exemple si le contaminant plastique est dans une orientation horizontale, il absorbera moins de rayons X en raison de sa densité (épaisseur) et ne sera pas détecté. En règle générale, une règle simple est à appliquer : Si le contaminant à détecter flotte à la surface d'un verre d'eau, il sera impossible à détecter (ceci quel que soit la technologie d'inspection par rayons X et le fabriquant).

Oui, les systèmes d’inspection par rayons X de Loma sont livrés avec un logiciel intégré, appelé « X-weigh ». Il convertit la densité du produit en poids selon les niveaux de gris récupérés. Ceci est idéal pour certaines applications telles que les yaourts et les plats cuisinés. Par exemple, si vous pesez un produit qui a deux compartiments, une trieuse pondérale vérifiera le poids total. Cependant, la fonction « X-Weight » vérifiera chaque compartiment séparément en fournissant à la fois un poids individuel et total. Cela vous permettra de savoir s'il y a trop d'un composant.
Attention : La pesée par densité / niveaux de gris ne sera en aucun cas acceptée selon la législation en vigueur concernant la réglementation des poids et mesures / vignette verte. Pour répondre à cette législation, seule une trieuse pondérale sera appropriée.

Stainless steel has a specific gravity of 7.7

Ferrous materials have a specific gravity of around 8.0

Non Ferrous (Brass or copper) materials have a specific gravity of around 8.8

From a Metal Detector point of view Ferrous, Non Ferrous and Stainless Steel have become standard test materials because of the different response they develop in a Metal Detector. Conversely, detectability of materials in X-ray systems are proportional to the specific gravity increase relative to the product; as can be seen all three materials are very close in density. Since Stainless Steel is both the lowest density of the above three materials and the most abundant in factories, it is generally accepted that this is the one test piece worthwhile testing. However, it is always a responsibility for any producer using a CCP to ensure that likely contaminants have been identified via HACCP risk assessment, so this should be additionally considered when selecting the contaminants used to challenge the CCP. Additionally, any specific customer requirements or supermarket specifications should be considered.

Note: Specific Gravity is defined as density normalised to water @ 1.0

LOMA's image processing software is designed to adapt to differences in product density, while maximizing sensitivity. This overcomes the problems associated with conventional systems.

X-ray inspection systems can detect more contaminants than Metal Detection systems, however there are a few limitations including:

• Low-density plastics
• Thin glass, such as fluorescent tubes
• Low-density stones
• Insects
• Wood
• Hair
• Cardboard
• Paper

All LOMA machines comply with national emission and safety regulations. When the machine is first installed a documented examination takes place. However, for peace of mind, a periodic examination is advised. As this is a relatively simple process it can be done each day without the need to stop the production line.

No, All of our systems meet the safety ratings of less than 1 µSv/h.

LOMA X-ray inspection systems are designed to operate continuously at speeds in excess of 600ppm or 90m/min (300ft/min).

Early X-Ray systems had reliability problems and were expensive. However, the involvement of mainstream inspection specialists like LOMA ensures that new-generation x-ray systems are as robust and reliable as conventional metal detectors with and excellent ROI.

In terms of contaminant detection, X-ray systems will detect lower levels of contaminants. They can also detect a wide range of non-metallic contaminants including ceramic, bone, glass, stone and dens plastics. X-Ray Inspection systems can also check for product intermarry to see missing or damaged products.

No, LOMA X-ray Inspection systems are designed to be as easy to use as a Metal Detector.  Training is provided upon commissioning and additional onsite training can be arranged if required. (Please click here for more details)

No, the dosage a food product can be subjected to is governed by controls. LOMA X-ray inspection systems operate at around one millionth of the current limit.

Loma’s range of X-ray inspection systems are easy to use with intuitive full colour touchscreens and icon-driven menus as well as offering fast inspection and product set up, automatically optimising the systems for each product type allowing you to learn and switch within minutes.

X-ray systems also offer the ability to detect bone, glass, ceramic or stone and dense plastics whilst also checking for product integrity, making it the complete solution in contaminant detection.

Metal detection and X-ray inspection offer different capabilities – to assess which you should choose, you should carry out a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points audit. If the audit determines that metal is likely to be the only contaminant found, then a metal detector is likely to be the most cost-effective solution, however, if other issues such as packaging and product effect are raised by the audit then it is recommended you perform a full product test to establish the most suitable technology.

If, the audit determines that metal and other contaminants such as glass, mineral stone, calcified bone or high-density plastics and rubber are likely to be encountered, then X-ray is the only suitable solution. In many cases, there’s only one suitable solution. However, there may be occasions when it could be helpful to install both metal detection and X-ray inspection systems on the same production line.

An accurate Checkweigher will ensure less waste and enable more products to be produced from the same amount of inventory. Raw materials can be very expensive, and a checkweigher will ensure that you make the most of existing resources.

Example

Reducing the overfill of a 450-gram pack by one gram, on a line producing 200 packs per minute running 16 hours a day for 230 days a year, would result in you saving enough raw materials to make an additional 98133 products.