The importance of food safety can never be discounted. A person may become ill from food that has not been packed properly. However, the effects reach far beyond this individual consumer. Unsafe food products have an impact on public health. Consumer confidence declines when people become ill after eating packaged food and the manufacturers of these products are at risk of significant financial losses from lost customers, legal cases, and more.
One contaminated product could lead to a widespread foodborne illness breakout. The manufacturer must recall the product as soon as the problem is detected, which is costly. To prevent this from happening, factories today are implementing robust food safety measures. They don’t overlook any part of the packing process when doing so. The packing line is one area they focus on.
Many companies today choose to invest in custom packing lines as a way to improve food security. They recognize these systems offer numerous advantages over conventional one-size-fits-all systems. The company has the opportunity to work with the design team to ensure the line takes into account the specific product lines and packaging requirements of the operation. When the team has this information, it can integrate features to increase food safety. These features may include hygienic designs, sanitization features, and food-safe materials. All help to reduce the risk of contamination.
Liquid Goods
Manufacturers working with liquid goods, such as a packing line for dairy products, would need surfaces that are smooth and free of crevices. These custom factory food packing lines should be made using stainless steel or another non-porous material that can easily be cleaned. The right surface will resist the growth of bacteria.
In addition, the manufacturer might choose to invest in an automated cleaning-in-place (CIP) system. These modern systems clean and disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with the foods. The system operates between production runs and cleans the system using either a sanitizing solution or water at a high temperature. Cross-contamination from food particles or bacterial buildup becomes less of a concern when the facility has this type of system in place.
Dry Goods
Facilities packaging dry goods, such as sugar or cereal, have different needs. They must ensure airborne particles do not make their way into the food during the packing process. To prevent this from happening, the facility might invest in air filtration and dust collection systems. These systems ensure airborne contaminants don’t settle on the foods.
Other features might also be needed in a production facility handling dry goods. X-ray inspection equipment and metal detectors are often employed to uncover physical contaminants in the products. No company can afford to distribute goods with stones or metal shards in them. Investing in this equipment reduces the risk of that happening.
Technology and Automation
While product-specific customizations are helpful, manufacturers also need to look into advanced technology and automation features for their production lines. These features increase food safety while boosting the efficiency of operations. The entire facility becomes more productive when they are in place. Many organizations today rely on robotic pick-and-place systems for handling and packing products. Little human intervention is needed, so the risk of contamination drops drastically. Concerns related to improper handling and poor hygiene practices decline.
These facilities also benefit from integrated data collection and monitoring systems. The systems track variables such as temperature, humidity, and line speed. As they do so in real-time, packing line operators can uncover problems early and address them promptly. Doing so ensures all machines remain within safe operating parameters, which helps reduce the risk of contamination.
Control and Segregation Features
One reason more companies today are investing in custom food packing lines is they want to benefit from stringent access control and segregation measures. Once these measures are in place, the risk of cross-traffic decreases significantly. When vehicles and personnel come across each other on the manufacturing floor, accidents are waiting to happen. The control and segregation features minimize these interactions.
With the help of these features, plants find it easy to maintain strict hygienic zoning. They may use physical barriers or dedicated entrances to do so. Airlocks are also of great benefit. The features separate the packing area from other areas of the plant, which helps minimize the risk of contaminants being introduced to the foods being packed.
Improved Traffic Flow
Efficient traffic flows increase productivity in a facility. When designing a customized packing line, engineers need to consider traffic flow. They must find ways to reduce the risk of congestion and bottlenecks. Any congestion or bottlenecks could compromise food safety protocols, so this efficient traffic flow must be a priority. They must find a way to separate raw material handling areas from processing areas. The finished products must be segregated in this own space, as well. A facility will have ample room for these distinct areas when the right customized food packing line is developed.
Why is a Customized Packing Line Essential Today?
Companies might question whether they should invest in a customized packing line as it does come with a higher price tag than a standardized system. Nevertheless, the benefits of investing in this system are enormous. Food safety and quality assurance improve while operational efficiency bottlenecks are eliminated. The company quickly sees a return on its investment.
More importantly, the customized packing line reduces the risk of a contamination incident and accompanying product recall. Any recall could significantly harm the company’s reputation while also leading to legal issues and substantial financial losses. With this line in place, the company will see improved consumer confidence in its brand. Customer loyalty will increase and new market opportunities might open up. The company will become known for its safety and high quality.
Every business owner understands how competitive today’s marketplace is. They are no longer competing solely with geographical neighbors, as consumers may purchase products from across the globe. Food safety is a strategic imperative, one that can help the business succeed. Companies that invest in customized factory packing lines gain an edge over competitors while positioning themselves as industry leaders in quality and safety. Who can let that opportunity pass by?
