Looking for validation data for an inline 4 mm metal screen in our orange juice processing site

Hi all, I am struggling to find some validation data on validating a inline 4m metal screen in our orange juice processing site. An recommendation.


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Hi all, I am struggling to find some validation data on validating a inline 4m metal screen in our orange juice processing site. An recommendation.


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Hi rangeleski,

I assume you mean validation of the screen being a haccp  control measure (for hazard- foreign materials) associated with a CCP. This typically implies validation of the critical limit.

I assume 4mm represents an acceptable cut-off basis for the evaluated hazardous foreign material. (unless local Regulatory, this is subjective, eg best practice for the specific food product)

The critical limit is then typically defined as the screen being in visibly satisfactory physical condition (ie undamaged). Validated by occasional direct observation..

Hi Charle C,
I was referring to any reference material that I could use to support using the 4mm screen. We cannot go down in size as the screen will remove the inclusions within the juice.


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Hi Charle C,
I was referring to any reference material that I could use to support using the 4mm screen. We cannot go down in size as the screen will remove the inclusions within the juice.


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Sorry, I don't comprehend.

are you wanting information / literature stating that a 4mm mesh screen is effective at removing FM health hazards? what are you trying to control with the 4mm screen?
seeds, peel, glass, metal,stem, etc

Charles approach is probably best - "The critical limit is then typically defined as the screen being in visibly satisfactory physical condition (ie undamaged). Validated by occasional direct observation.."

there are lots of threads / arguments on the subject on here.
https://www.ifsqn.co...g-can-be-a-ccp/

You won't find scientific validation for specific screen size.  As Charles and others have said you validate it specifically for your application and ability to remove the target, or foreign material risk.  If you have foreign material that is smaller than 4 MM then you need another control measure...x-ray, metal detector, etc.

Sorry, I don't comprehend.

Just as a follow-up to previous Posts, if you were looking for safety-related  references regarding the size of (certain) foreign materials in relation to possible significant  hazard status, a considerable number of  opinions exist which are discussed in various publications in Literature /threads this forum. . Generally opinions on maximum  acceptable size are within the 0 - 7mm range depending on factors like  "intuition", health statistics, product industry, consumer type, country. ( For Australia I do not recall seeing any specific references). In Post 2 i gave an overview. Other Regulatory aspects may also occur depending perhaps on location, eg Adulteration.

Such information logically relates to the choice of  maximum screen hole size employed

Can give you a forum link relating to above (not Australia-specific) but am still unsure what info you were actually seeking ? And whether any particular audit Standard involved ?

PS - is there a specific foreign material which is considered possible in yr process and for which you are screening, eg metal, stones, etc ?

I presume the OP is making an orange juice with "juicy bits", and IMEX <4mm sieving will indeed strip these out and clog up fairly quickly.

It's a tough one to balance without further FB controls of some sort.

I did note part 2(4)(d) of FSANZ standard 3.1.1 states that food is not suitable if it "contains a biological or chemical agent, or other matter or substance, that is foreign to the nature of the food". It therefore seems plausible that inherent physical defects associated with the orange cells, such as broken/embryonic seeds, would potentially be acceptable in some cases.
Beyond that I'd suggest the process for the cells themselves probably needs consideration, as for example I've seen fairly significant levels of metal filings/fragment contamination in them.

Whilst it's not within the scope of HACCP as such, there are also potential quality considerations in terms of physical "contaminants" even if they're intrinsic to the raw material, as whilst some acceptance of seed fragments is reasonable, excessive levels of these, or peel fragments that can darken and look unpleasant, are worth thinking about.

The best systems I've seen for cell processing use optical sorting before recombining with the juice, but this is (a) not cheap, and (b) potentially only viable if you're assembling the final product from a smooth orange juice component and a separate cells component.