Case Study: Safeway Fresh Foods

METTLER-TOLEDO Product Inspection Group

Safeway uses Signature Touch metal detectors to find ferrous and non-ferrous tramp metal and the most difficult to detect, non-magnetic stainless steel fragments and non-spherical fine wire contaminants. Featuring high frequency advanced detection coil technology and dynamic filtering techniques, these metal detectors maximize detection sensitivity while inspecting Safeway’s many products that go to convenience stores, supermarkets, club stores, quick serve restaurants and others.

"It’s critical that the metal detectors maintain their high sensitivity despite big changes in the size of the package and the nature of the product. This sensitivity is the difference between finding something and not finding something that could break a tooth or lacerate a mouth," said Tedesco. "Customer safety is our highest priority and the driving force for choosing METTLER TOLEDO’s inspection equipment."

To monitor fill levels, Safeway has Beltweigh checkweighers on three of their production lines where detecting underfills and/or overfills has significant value. On two grab-and-go lines that pack fresh fruits and vegetables into 3 to 14 oz. bags, bowls and trays, the Hi-Speed checkweighers reject under-weight packages from the line and record over-weight packages to give Safeway valuable information they use to adjust the fillers and reduce product give-away. On a line where five people each add one fruit to produce mixed-fruit trays and bowls in 2 lb. trays or 3lb. bowls, the checkweigher is programmed to detect only underweight packages so fruit can be added, if needed, before the package is sealed.

Product Inspection Solutions