Metal Detector need a rejector?
Does a metal detector need to have an automatic reject door to meet HACCP requirements? We are thinking of just setting it up to stop when detecting metal and whatever is on the belt is NG. There would be a light beacon and alarm that will sound also.
Mike
Does a metal detector need to have an automatic reject door to meet HACCP requirements? We are thinking of just setting it up to stop when detecting metal and whatever is on the belt is NG. There would be a light beacon and alarm that will sound also.
Mike
Hi Mike,
It depends, eg BRC7 -
The metal detector or X-ray equipment shall incorporate one of the following:
• an automatic rejection device, for continuous in-line systems, which shall either divert contaminated
product out of the product flow or to a secure unit accessible only to authorised personnel
• a belt stop system with an alarm where the product cannot be automatically rejected (e.g. for very
large packs)
• in-line detectors which identify the location of the contaminant to allow effective segregation of the
affected product
I don't understand what you mean by "door".
Thanks Charles, From the drawings I see its a diverting door that will move contaminated product into a reject bin. It would be for loose candy mints, so not very big. Just dont want to move forward if it wont meet the HACCP requirements. We were hoping to get without the reject door because that option will raise the detector almost a foot, which would raise our loading hopper even more.
Does a metal detector need to have an automatic reject door to meet HACCP requirements? We are thinking of just setting it up to stop when detecting metal and whatever is on the belt is NG. There would be a light beacon and alarm that will sound also.
Mike
Hi Mike,
This sort of system is generally used for large packs where it is not practical to reject. Although I prefer automatic rejection into a locked container, your system will be accepted providing there are sufficient controls in place to prevent implicated product being inadvertently placed back into the product flow.
From BRC:
The use of belt stop and alarm systems is considered by some to present a greater risk of ‘rejected’ product being reintroduced into the process low than automatic rejection systems where the product is positively rejected into a locked container.
For belt-stop-style metal detector rejection systems this will typically include the use of a container into which rejected product is placed, which is secured such that only authorised staff can remove the product (similar to the locked-box system used for automatic rejection systems).
Regards,
Tony
Hi Mike,
You can use a belt stop and meet the requirements. Just remember from a production standpoint that you are going to essentially shut the line down when you do have a metal reject instead of removing the object if you had some kind of reject mechanism.
I've used both types and prefer the belt stop, provided it is integrated with the production belt.
The problems with the reject is that they can get a little excited sometimes if the density of the product varies, and should be programmed to a "3 strikes and you're out" system where 3 consecutive rejects stop the belt anyway. This is to stop production if an internal component is breaking up.You also need to check the reject bin regularly as it will stop the belt when full.
The challenge with the belt stop is that if you're packing at the end of the line, your packers may clear the line for you, thus removing the contaminated container. Threats are usually sufficient to stop this behaviour though!
All depends on products etc. as always.