Plan Automation Technology Blog

Consumers are driving changes in packaging, whether based on their interest in more sustainable options, demand for different sizes and formats to fit their needs or other reasons. Looking ahead, one can expect additional disruptions in traditional product development and packaging, which will impact all facets of production, including the inspection of items for safety and quality purposes. Advanced x-ray systems are keeping up with, and in some cases ahead of such changes, with features reflecting current market trends and future directions. 

Topics: Packaging Automation, Product Safety, X-Ray Inspection, Product Quality, X Ray Inspection for Food, Food Safety and Quality Inspection, Product Inspection

Food quality management is a customer-driven system that encompasses food quality assurance and food quality control, among other elements. Manufacturers use quality management systems in the food industry to provide products that are as free as possible from flaws, to meet rigorous standards required by regulations, their own objectives, and that are made efficiently and consistently. Advanced x-ray inspection technologies are tools that can be utilized for both quality control and quality assurance purposes, to different ends but for the shared food quality management goals of producing goods to satisfy end user demands and protect a company’s brand. 

Topics: Product Safety, X-Ray Inspection, Product Quality, X Ray Inspection for Food, Food Safety and Quality Inspection, Product Inspection

Food manufacturers across the globe have been relying on x-ray technology since the early 1990s to protect consumers, reduce the risk of product recalls and safeguard their brands. But what exactly is x-ray inspection and how does it work?

Topics: X-Ray Inspection, X Ray Inspection for Food, Product Inspection, Eagle Pi, emergency x ray systems, X-Ray Solutions

Staying up to speed on the latest food safety and quality standards is important, even if sometimes complex and time-consuming. As they work to stay compliant with global and domestic standards, manufacturers can take advantage of the many benefits of inspection technologies to enhance and optimize their production process while preventing potential hazards and assuring quality and consistency. These technologies may prove as the difference between compliance and incompliance, or simply the difference between producing a safe product or a dangerous hazard for public consumption.

Topics: X-Ray Inspection, Product Quality, X Ray Inspection for Food, Product Inspection, Compliance, X-Ray Solutions

In January of 2015, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) updated its Global Standard for Food Safety. This new standard, also known as issue 7, effectively replaced the old Issue 6 standard in July of 2015.

Topics: X-Ray Inspection, Product Inspection, Food Product Inspection, Food Inspection, HACCP

Traceability is a major concern for food producers. Being able to track a contaminated package back to its point of origin is vital for minimizing future contamination risks and for narrowing down product recalls.

Topics: X-Ray Inspection, Product Inspection, Food Product Inspection, Food Inspection

Every food manufacturer worries about contaminants in their products. Food safety incidents can create public relations nightmares that result in costly settlements, recalls, and loss of consumer confidence.

Topics: Product Safety, Product Inspection, Food Inspection, MDX

Bacteriological contamination is an enormous concern for companies that process raw meat. Infections such as listeria and e. coli are an enormous threat to the safety of food products and the customers who consume them.

Examples of foodborne bacteriological outbreaks continue to make the news each year, such as the e. coli outbreak in late 2015 that affected consumers in California, Washington, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Virginia, and Missouri.

Topics: Product Inspection

In recent years, the popularity of “organic” foods have grown immensely. Many consumers go out of their way to purchase organic foods at the market now. In fact, according to one time.com article, “Sales of the additive-free offerings surged 11.5% in 2013, to #35.1 billion.”

With demand for organic fruits, vegetables, and meat products on the rise, many food companies are looking for the ability to add the “organic” label to their products.

Because having the organic label can be a big boost for a product’s success, one question that Plan Automation’s customers often ask is “will x-ray inspection affect my product’s organic status?”

Topics: Food Safety and Quality Inspection, Product Inspection

Making sure that food products are safe and free of contamination is a huge concern for all food producers large or small.

Topics: Metal Detection, Product Safety, X-Ray Inspection, Product Quality, X Ray Inspection for Food, Product Inspection