The organisation said that foreign bodies in food and drink products are continuing to cause product recalls across the industry and it is looking for food manufacturers to help with the research that aims to improve the range of foreign bodies that can be detected in food.
As part of the research practical trials have been designed to evaluate the potential of new technologies for detecting a range of foreign bodies in various foods and to encouraging the development of their practical application in the food industry.
Technology development
Food manufacturers that join the foreign body club project will be consulted on the choice of foods and foreign materials. They will have the competitive advantage of exclusive access to trial results and advance awareness of their potential. Technology developers will participate in the club, enabling them to be aware of user needs and enabling food manufacturers to influence technology development.
Campden BRI’s Future Technology and Insights Lead Danny Bayliss, who is jointly leading the project, said that there are limitations in current detection technologies across the industry, including metal detectors, X-ray detection and optical sorting,
“These technologies are not capable of detecting all foreign body materials that manufacturers are challenged with: metal detectors only detect metal and have low sensitivity to some types; X-ray is only sensitive to dense materials such as metal, glass and calcified bones and these can be obscured by structures within the product; and optical technologies are only suitable for surface objects or materials that can be spread in a thin layer,” he said.
Innovative technology
“The food industry lacks technologies that can reliably detect materials like soft plastics, wood, uncalcified bones, fruit stones, nutshells and insects. Campden BRI is aware of innovative technologies and methods, at various stages of development, that could improve the detection of foreign bodies in food, including materials that are currently difficult to detect.”
Club project lead and Strategic Knowledge Development Scientist at Campden BRI, Greg Jones said that while manufacturers have robust HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plans in place to minimise the risk of foreign bodies in their products detection systems are often acting as the ‘last line of defence.’
“With the limitations of current detection systems, this club provides the opportunity for members to see the potential of new detection technologies that could improve food safety and quality, reduce complaints, improve due diligence and increase customer confidence for their products,” he added.
The research is set to commence in early 2023. Any companies wanting to take part in the project should contact: greg.jones@campdenbri.co.uk