Industrial metal detectors for the food industry are used at various stages of the production process to detect metal contamination in food. 

When determining where on the food production line the metal detection system will be used, the first step is often to carry out an HACCP analysis and identification of the Critical Control Points for detection of physical contaminants.

Many manufacturers use metal detection systems at the start of the line to monitor the quality of raw materials from suppliers, and to protect expensive equipment downstream. Others choose to use them in the production line prior to final packaging, reducing the expense of product waste and rework of contaminated product. Some choose to use metal detectors in food packaging and packaging lines, or after the final packaging or cartoning of the product for peace of mind in knowing that there is minimal risk of additional contamination.

For maximum protection to customer and brand, many manufacturers decide to maximize their use of industrial metal detection to prevent product recalls by using detectors in two or more areas on the production line to further reduce the risk of a disastrous food recall.

Meeting food industry safety and compliance requirements often starts with product inspection equipment including industrial metal detectors.

There are many types of metal detection used in food processing. The right metal detection equipment to use for product inspection in the food industry depends on the type of food you are inspecting, as well as the environment that the inspection will take place.

For packaged and unpackaged food that runs on a conveyor, the best option is a conveyorized tunnel metal detector designed for inline product inspection on the manufacturing line. Our fully automated line of industrial metal detector systems for conveyor belts will safely detect and reject product contaminated with ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as hard-to-detect grades of stainless steel. For conveyorized food products that are wet, hot, chilled, cooling, or wrapped in metal film, our Profile Advantage metal detector is designed to deliver up to 50 percent improved sensitivity in these challenging food applications, leading to fewer false rejects.

For pumped food applications such as sausage, raw chicken, juices, or sauces, your best bet is to go with a pipeline-based metal detection system. Our line of pipeline metal detectors are built with advanced detection technology to satisfy the most stringent detection requirements in liquid, paste, or slurry applications.

For inspection of bulk gravity-fed powders, grains or granules, you need a metal detection system that has the ability to inspect product in free-fall. Our high performance, gravity fall metal detection systems seamlessly detect and reject metal contaminants, delivering maximum sensitivity and performance. They also support ATEX, IECEx, and HazLoc compliance for explosive atmospheres.

Bulk free-falling food items such as nuts, snacks or confectioneries which require integration with Vertical Form, Fill & Seal (VFFS) packaging equipment are best suited to a vertical throat metal detector. These systems use high levels of sensitivity to detect unwanted metal in the product flow before it enters the bag, overcoming interference from metalized film packaging. Our throat metal detectors offer the sensitivity you need with Zero Metal Free Zone technology, enabling the space between the weigher and VFFS to be kept to a minimum.

Related Content:

• Choosing the Right Metal Detection Solution
• How to Detect Metal Contaminants in Food
• Food Industry Metal Detection Standards

An in-line tunnel metal detector integrated with a material handling system is the best solution for inspecting packaged, raw, or processed foods products on a conveyor – at the front end, in-process, or end-of-line. METTLER TOLEDO Safeline offers a wide variety of industrial tunnel metal detectors for use in these applications to meet different performance and budget needs.

Selection of the metal detector head depends on the specific characteristics of the product being inspected. For challenging applications that are subject to product effect where food is hot, wet, chilled, frozen, or packed in metalized film, industrial metal detectors using multi-simultaneous frequency such as Profile Advantage can greatly reduce false rejection rate. If budget is the top concern, you can go for metal detectors with dual-simultaneous frequency such as the M34R GC. For dry product inspection, choose metal detectors with high tuned frequency such as the Profile or M33R GC.

We also offer a number of other tunnel metal detection solutions for packaged bulk as well as unpackaged bulk foods. We offer combination product inspection systems where a metal detector is integrated with a dynamic checkweigher to provide multiple product inspection capabilities in a single unit, with a compact footprint.

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• Find Your Perfect Metal Detector for Food Manufacturing

Gravity Fall metal detection systems inspect bulk free-falling powdered and granular products to detect and reject metal contamination in food applications. These systems deliver high sensitivity metal detection for detecting metal inclusions in industrial processes under free-fall conditions, and come with a choice of high-speed reject devices to remove the metal contaminated products from the production line.

Y-Valve Gravity Fall metal detection systems are suitable for the inspection of powders and granular products. Sealtite Gravity Fall metal detection systems are ideal for inspection of high-value, dusty products in explosive environments and applications where insertion space is limited. Open Diverter Gravity Fall metal detection systems are best for non-dusty granular products where insertion space is limited.

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• Industrial metal detectors for the flour and grain industry
• Industrial metal detector for the sugar industry

Throat and Super Throat vertical metal detectors are designed to provide metal detection in food packaging lines that require integration with Vertical Form, Fill and Seal (VFFS) equipment to inspect free-falling food products. These vertical metal detectors are particularly suitable for snack food and confectionery processing where metalized film packaging is used.

Pipeline metal detection systems inspect a range of liquids at varying temperatures, including frozen ice cream and hot molten chocolate, as well as pastes, slurries, and sausage meat.

Choosing the correct Pipeline system is critical to ensure you maximize the performance of your metal detection system.

L-Series Pipeline systems offer versatility for inspecting a wide range of homogenous products such as liquids, viscous fluids such as molten chocolate, pastes, meat slurries, soups, and sauces. Profile Advantage Pipeline metal detection systems deliver high sensitivity in challenging metal detection applications subject to product effect due to bubbles or voids in the product flow. HDS Pipeline systems are designed specifically for vacuum-filler applications such as sausage meat and other vacuum-pumped foods.

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• How to Choose the Right Pipeline Metal Detection System