Protection against foreign bodies in food: Focus on hygiene and product quality

The food industry in North America faces stringent regulations that demand top-notch hygiene and product quality. Food manufacturers must use reliable and highly accurate technologies to meet these standards whilst also finding efficient solutions to cut costs and maintain margins amidst rising raw material, energy, and labor expenses.

As a leading global provider of weighing and software technologies, Minebea Intec offers customized solutions that are precisely tailored to meet the challenges of food production.

Tackling contamination risks with proven solutions

According to reports by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) e-coli outbreaks cause an estimated 48 million people to get sick, 128,000 to be hospitalized, and 3,000 to die each year in the US. Microbiological contamination and errors in allergen labelling lead to more frequent recalls. For food producers, a recall means not only high costs but also potential damage to their reputation. Minebea Intec's solutions are designed to effectively mitigate these risks.

NSF certification: The highest hygiene standards with the MiNexx 3000® weighing platform

The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certification is an internationally recognized seal which ensures that production systems, such as weighing technologies, meet the highest hygiene and safety standards. This certification plays a particularly crucial role in the food industry, where strict regulations apply to avoid contamination and ensure compliance with hygiene requirements. NSF certification confirms that production facilities are suitable for sensitive environments and for direct contact with food.

The Weighing Platform MiNexx 3000® of Minebea Intec is NSF certified, which makes it particularly ideal for the food industry. Thanks to its hygienic design, it is easy to clean and thus minimizes the risk of cross-contamination. These properties are essential in food production, where contamination from inadequately cleaned equipment can lead to significant problems such as production downtime or even product recalls. ‘Another advantage of the Weighing Platform MiNexx 3000® is its precision,’ says Nils Hubrich, Product Manager at Minebea Intec. ‘It enables highly accurate weight determination, which is crucial to ensure that products meet the prescribed filling quantities and thus no deviations or quality defects arise.’ Its robust construction and corrosion-resistant materials also make it ideal for use in demanding production environments where regular and thorough cleaning is essential.

Other Minebea Intec products offering the same hygienic design include the weighing module Novego^® which can be used for tank or silo weighing as well as the Flat-bed scale IF developed for use close to the floor in tough industrial environments.

Software solutions for traceability and recipe management

Minebea Intec offers high-quality software solutions including SPC@Enterprise, which supports traceability by collecting and centrally storing quality and production data from dynamic and static scales, metal detectors and X-ray inspection systems. This data can be retrieved in the event of quality problems and enables the affected products to be identified quickly. The system detects deviations at an early stage, minimizing the risk of recalls and increasing product quality. Thanks to seamless integration into ERP and quality systems, SPC@Enterprise optimizes access to traceability data along the entire production chain.

The software ProRecipe XT® is available especially for manual and semi-automated recipe processes. ProRecipe XT® ensures precise dosing and monitors all steps – from small batches to complex multi-component recipes. The software is particularly useful in regulated industries where the highest levels of accuracy and traceability are required. A typical application example from the food industry is the production of baked goods, where numerous ingredients have to be processed in different quantities. ProRecipe XT® ensures that each ingredient is batched precisely and that weighing errors are avoided. Thanks to seamless integration into existing ERP systems, all data is recorded and monitored in real time, which not only saves time but also ensures compliance with strict quality standards. ‘Our recipe software ProRecipe XT® supports traceability in production by precisely recording and storing all recipe and production data,’ says Lars-Henrik Bierwirth. ’The system documents the ingredients, batches and process parameters used, thus enabling seamless traceability of every batch produced.’

All-round service: Minebea Intec is a strong partner from consultancy assistance to commissioning and beyond

Not only does Minebea Intec offer a comprehensive product portfolio of weighing and software technologies, but it also sees itself as a trustworthy partner to its customers. From the initial consultancy and product selection to design-in, installation and commissioning, the company supports its customers through every phase of the project. Even after implementation, the experts at Minebea Intec are on hand to provide comprehensive service and support to ensure smooth and efficient production. This holistic approach not only optimizes long-term production processes, but also ensures compliance with international food standards, so that food producers can focus on increasing sales – rather than crisis management.