5 replies to this topic

[Emme08]

Good morning, we have recently purchased a ball refiner for spreadable cream and ice cream paste that has a built-in magnet. According to our risk analysis it is not a CCP but a oPRP. We also contacted the company who advised us to clean this magnet once a day. I was wondering .. do I need to validate the magnet? do I have to create a form for the operator to fill in after cleaning? I've been working here recently and I am not sure how to move. Thank you. Kind regards

[Evans X.]

Greetings Emme08,

 

Not sure exactly what you mean by "validating the magnet". A questions is: Does the magnet come in some contact with the icecream or is it a refiner that has small balls that are powered by the magnet, so no contact ??

In both cases the cleaning chemicals used should be food grade and yes it would be ok to check it out in your cleaning schedule. If it is in contact with the icecream then your should also do regular checks for deterioration signs that could result in having filings in your product. If not in direct contact then apart from cleaning you should also make sure that you use food grade oils or anything when you do the maintenance (if it needs that kind of maintenance).

 

Hope it helps.

[liberator]

As Evans X noted, does the magnet come into contact with the product or used to drive the balls for mixing or is it used to filter out metal particulates? 

 

I did a quick web search and one search noted the magnet is identified as a filter, so filtering out metal particulates?

 

You not the magnet is built in, but can it be removed for example, for maintenance? If it's used as a filter for capturing metal particulates then I'd suggest it would need to have magnetic strength testing done on a defined frequency to ensure it is maintaining its magnetic strength (Gauss)

[Sharon (Dewsbury)]

Hi,

I worked in a bakery and we had magnets in the throat of the mixing vessels. These had to be cleaned regularly to ensure the surfaces were free to pick up metal bits. We also had the strength measures periodically as it can deteriorate. 

[Emme08]

Greetings Emme08,

 

Not sure exactly what you mean by "validating the magnet". A questions is: Does the magnet come in some contact with the icecream or is it a refiner that has small balls that are powered by the magnet, so no contact ??

In both cases the cleaning chemicals used should be food grade and yes it would be ok to check it out in your cleaning schedule. If it is in contact with the icecream then your should also do regular checks for deterioration signs that could result in having filings in your product. If not in direct contact then apart from cleaning you should also make sure that you use food grade oils or anything when you do the maintenance (if it needs that kind of maintenance).

 

Hope it helps.

 

 

As Evans X noted, does the magnet come into contact with the product or used to drive the balls for mixing or is it used to filter out metal particulates? 

 

I did a quick web search and one search noted the magnet is identified as a filter, so filtering out metal particulates?

 

You not the magnet is built in, but can it be removed for example, for maintenance? If it's used as a filter for capturing metal particulates then I'd suggest it would need to have magnetic strength testing done on a defined frequency to ensure it is maintaining its magnetic strength (Gauss)

 

 

Hi,

I worked in a bakery and we had magnets in the throat of the mixing vessels. These had to be cleaned regularly to ensure the surfaces were free to pick up metal bits. We also had the strength measures periodically as it can deteriorate. 

 

Thank you for the reply :) 

 

The cream is mixed together with micro spheres (not 100% stainless steel) to reduce the particle size and passes through the magnet to ensure that the production of metal powder, due to the rubbing of the spheres, is retained. The magnet is easily to remove and the operator cleans it at the end of the work shift.

 

The doubt that I can't solve is that I don't know if this type of magnet is to be considered as a CCP (how can I determine the critical limit?) or an oPRP.

(We are also moving to buy a metal detector to be placed at the end of the line).

Edited by Emme08, 11 March 2021 - 10:21 AM.

[Sharon (Dewsbury)]

I don't know the answer to that but perhaps if you speak to the magnets/machine supplier they can guide you.

They will have a strength associated to them (Gauss) This strength needs to be determined as suitable for the job and periodically measured to ensure they strength has not deteriorated.

Our magnets were a control but not the last control as we had Metal Detectors or x ray machines. We had MD and X ray but did not remove the magnets. We kept them in line to still remove any potential metal. Like a filter rather than a detector. I suppose when you clean the magnets you need to see how much metal they have collected and that will show the effectiveness. Sorry I can help but I expect the suppliers will have experience in this and be able to assist.