| Rapid
tests for EHEC in food
A common
key feature of highly pathogenic serovars of EHEC (Enterohaemorrhagic
E. coli), such as those involved in the recent European outbreak,
is the build up of toxins, which can be used to detect this group.
Verotoxins, also called Shiga-like toxins, are divided into verotoxin
1 and verotoxin 2. Merck Millipore’s Duopath® Verotoxin
is promoted as a simple quick lateral flow test which can be used to
detect VT1 and/or VT2. The serogroup O157 (including H7) and other serovars,
such as O26, O103, O111, O145 and O14, can thus be detected indirectly
by detecting verotoxins.
The product range also includes Singlepath® E.coli O157,
which detects the most well-known and common serogroup of pathogenic
E.coli, O157.
Both kits have one step design which reduces errors and, following
an overnight enrichment process, deliver a positive or negative result
20 minutes from inoculation of the test.
Merck Millipore
Tel: 1800 335 571
Web: www.merck-chemicals.com.au
World-class ‘clean room’
Industrial packaging specialists SCHÜTZ DSL has unveiled new
‘clean room’ processing facilities at its Laverton North
manufacturing base in Melbourne to specifically cater for intermediate
bulk containers (IBC) heading for the food market.
The latest temperature controlled and hygienically sealed ‘clean
room’ has been installed as part of the new ‘six layer’
IBC manufacturing capability at a cost of around $250 000.
According to Steve Johnston, Managing Director of
SCHÜTZ DSL Group Pty Ltd, the clean room provides “the perfect
accompaniment to the new multi-layer blow moulder machine, which has
attracted keen interest from the food market”, due to the application
of a six layer high density polyethylene inner bottle in the packaging
of liquid food products.
“The clean room facilities are a natural progression for us
in meeting the needs of Australian food companies. Our ability to maintain
the highest possible hygiene and food safety standards is imperative,
and our investment in these new quality systems ensures that the Australian
food market has access to world-class products within stringent food
handling regulations,” he said.
SCHÜTZ DSL’s ‘clean room’ is temperature controlled
at 22°C and the filtered atmosphere is constantly maintained at
an international level labelled EU8. The area is located alongside the
company’s fully automated blow moulding machine which co-extrudes
plastic in the manufacture of IBC.
“The clean rooms have been constructed to house all areas of
the production process when the IBC inner tanks valves or screw caps
are not fully closed. This ensures that these inner tanks, which will
essentially contain the food products, remain entirely clean during
these important quality controlled processes. The positive air pressure
within the sealed ‘clean room’ area pushes air into the
surrounding factory through a specially designed ventilation system,
thus eliminating any possibility of dust formation within the inner
bottle production process,” he explained.

The company has also introduced further hygiene measures with its
staff to ensure that all personnel who enter the area wear protective
clothing such as hair nets, covered foot wear and coats to further prevent
contamination.
The only facility of its kind in Australia and also South East Asia,
it has also opened up new export opportunities for the company.
The new SCHUTZ ECO BULK – MX – EX EVOH 6 LAYER –
IBC is currently the only multi-layer IBC manufactured in Australia.
The IBC contains extra protective layers within the HDPE which acts
as a barrier to oxygen permeation, odour release and simultaneously
extends the product shelf life of some food products.
SCHÜTZ DSL (Group) Pty Ltd
Tel: (08) 9336 2688
Web: www.shuetz.net
Diagnostic tools for foodborne pathogens
bioMérieux, Gold Sponsor for the Securing Global Food Safety
Conference (pp 388–391), has utilised recombinant bacteriophage
(phage) proteins to advance the rapid detection of Salmonella.
Bacteriophages are highly specific viruses programmed exclusively to
identify and infect host bacteria. They are able to survive in the most
extreme environments including soil, animal waste and intestinal tracts,
as well as the most complex food matrices.
VIDAS® UP Salmonella (SPT) is claimed to offer best-in-class
specificity and sensitivity for the targeted capture and detection of
the pathogen in food and environmental samples (www.biomerieux-industry.com/vidasup).
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes one of the most common
intestinal infections worldwide. In the United States alone it is implicated
in more than one million cases of foodborne illness annually, according
to a 2011 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of these cases, approximately 20 000 result in hospitalisation and 378
result in death.
The new VIDAS SPT assay is able to detect low levels of contamination
by Salmonella and provides a simple, one-step sample preparation
which reduces laboratory hands-on time, and delivers results in as little
as 19 hours as compared to reference methods which require up to three
days.
Listeria monocytogenes testing
bioMérieux has also focused on producing a new chromogenic medium
for the rapid enumeration, detection and presumptive identification
of Listeria monocytogenes in food products and production environment
samples. Both protocols are certified according to EN ISO 16140.
On ChromID™ Lmono, Listeria monocytogenes
gives turquoise blue colonies with no associated halo, which makes it
easy to read highly contaminated samples. Results are obtained in one
day after enrichment for both negative and confirmed positive samples
(compared to the four-day ISO method), reducing product release time
and bringing cost effectiveness and flexibility to low counts.
Only one plate is necessary for the pour plate enumeration when using
chromID Lmono medium in bottles. Surface enumeration is performed
with one plate less than all the existing methods used for enumeration
of low numbers (< 10 cfu/g).
Testing of non–0157 STEC
The
Pall GeneDisc Rapid Microbiology system now enables producers to test
simultaneously for the pathogenic E. coli O157 and four of
the top six non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (O26,
O103, O111, O145), providing the meat industry with a new tool to help
ensure the safety of its products.
The Pall GeneDisc system is based on real-time Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) technology. The system features a robust PCR platform
utilising ready-to-use consumables. The system and test procedure are
claimed to yield consistently repeatable results and virtually eliminate
operator error. It provides data on the presence or absence of multiple
pathogens in as little as three hours (as opposed to days for traditional
methods). It is positioned as an ideal solution for food manufacturers
who need fast and specific detection of potential health risks with
the least amount of false positives.
This system was validated by the AOAC Research Institute for detection
of non-O157 STEC in meat earlier this year. This product is the first
to receive AOAC’s multi-parametric validation of a detection method
for four serogroups of the most common non-O157 STEC in ground beef
and beef trim. This validation is expected to enable more effective
monitoring of pathogenic E. coli contamination.
At-line measurement of collagen in meat
An
extended range version of the InfraLab e-Series Multi-component
At-Line Meat Analyser from NDC Infrared Engineering (www.ndcinfrared.com)
has been developed to include the measurement of collagen, as well as
fat, moisture and protein. The extended range InfraLab provides
a good indication of collagen levels over a 1–8% concentration
range.
Measuring the amount of collagen or collagenous material present in
meat can
be important in meeting quality and legislative requirements. Collagen
has traditionally been measured in meat samples using slower laboratory
methods.
The InfraLab uses non-contacting multi-wavelength NIR technology
for measurements of fat, moisture and protein. The new collagen measurement
capability features a robust algorithm which quantifies the spectrum
shifts in the NIR spectrum associated with changes in collagen content.
Measurements can be made in just 10 seconds, and the analyser can be
located next to the production line for fast turn-around of results,
eliminating the delays associated with laboratory analysis. See also
Food Aust. 62(6): 242, June 2010).
The agent for NDC Infrared Engineering in Australia is NSW-based B-R
Control Pty Ltd (www.brcontrols.com.au).
Fully automated protein analysis
Rowe Scientific
Pty Ltd (www.rowe.com.au) has brought the NDA 701 Dumas Nitrogen
Analyser from VELP Scientifica (Italy) to Australia.
The Velp NDA 701 claims to have the highest detection limits
and readability on the market and an relative standard deviation lower
than 0.5% for EDTA. Samples can be loaded in the 116 position autosampler
using the same loading procedure whether solid, paste or liquid samples.
Once loaded the unit is fully automated.
The DUMASoft™ software displays the program parameters,
run conditions and results on a PC. Traffic light colour coding of all
parameters makes for quick visual analysis at a glance. Different calibration
curves can be created and managed. An on-board database containing methods
for numerous sample types and different nitrogen standards can be used
to optimise output to a
PC or LIMS for analysis.
The NDA 701 Dumas Nitrogen Analyser produces results in as
little as 3–4 minutes per sample (compared to hours for the Kjeldahl
method). Sample preparation and handling is quick and easy using the
NDA 701’s encapsulator device, and interfacing with an
electronic balance eliminates data transfer errors.
No daily calibration is necessary nor is correction factor checking.
The CO2 absorbent is automatically regenerated and automatic leak testing
by zone saves on correction time. The DriStep™ cooling
device removes 99% of water vapour, reducing replacement frequency of
the copper agent and running costs. Also provided are planned service
alerts, stand-by and wake-up functions; the latter reducing energy consumption.
The NDA 701 Dumas Nitrogen Analyser features the Velp
TEMS™ technology, offering significant reductions in time,
energy, money (no reference gas, automatic regeneration of CO2 absorbent,
extended usage of copper agent) and space.
Developed to carry out nitrogen analysis by the Dumas method which
detects all elemental nitrogen (unlike Kjeldahl), the Velp NDA 701
complies with all established methods in accordance to national and
international standards (AOAC, AACC, ASBC, OIV and ISO).
New generation colour measurement
ColorFlex
EZ from Hunterlab claims to take colour measurement to a new level,
with 45/0 optical design and versatility, flexibility, simplicity and
performance in on easy-to-use unit.
This instrument has been designed to measure colour and appearance
of any opaque or translucent material, whether it be a food colouring;
herb or spice; postharvest vegetable, fruit or nut; juice, paste; snack
food; meat, fish or seafood product; functional food; whether raw or
processed, natural or manufactured; and whether in solid, liquid, powder,
grain, flake or pellet etc form.
The ColorFlex EZ provides practical features and benefits
such as:
- More connectivity via USB flash drives, keyboards to enter custom
IDs, barcode scanners, printers and PCs.
- More simplicity via ergonomic push buttons, USB 2.0 communication
ports, a small foodprint occupying minimal benchtop space, a high
resolution colour display and a variety of sample handling devices.
- More performance via easy data transfer between instruments, sampling
versatility and expanded data storage, 250 setups and 2000 samples
through on-board software.
- More flexibility through the on-board software’s expanded
setup configurations that include product standard values, pass/fail
tolerances, colour scales, indices, illuminants and observers, sample
averaging and multiple colour displays of colour data, colour difference
data, colour plots and spectral data.
For even greater flexibility, the ColorFlex can be integrated
with optional EasyMatch QC software on any PC. EasyMatch
QC provides virtually unlimited storage of standards and sample data,
a flexible graphical user interface and more output options including
colour printing and export to Microsoft Office programs.
Novasys Group Pty Ltd
Tel: (03) 9752 3766
Fax: (03) 9752 3977
Email: sales@novasys.com.au
Web: www.novasys.com.au
New gelatin bloom strength test system
Brookfield
Engineering laboratories now has available a complete system for performing
the gelatin bloom strength test. This system includes Brookfield’s
enhanced CT3 Texture Analyzer for measuring bloom strength,
two baths and one refrigeration unit for gelatin preparation. This means
that the complete gelatin bloom strength test system and an industry
approved glass bloom bottle are available from a single supplier.
The enhanced CT3 Texture Analyzer (www.brookfieldengineering.com/products/texture-analysis/ct3.asp)
combines simplicity of operation for users at all levels of experience
and expanded test method capability in both compression and tension
modes of operation. A wide variety of standard probes (cones, cylinder,
blades, balls, punches) and fixtures (extrusion, cell, shear cell, grips,
etc) are available for a range of regular applications. Brookfield offers
customised equipment for specific applications. Texture Profile Analysis
using Excel-based software enables the laboratory technician to generate
analytical data comparable to other more costly systems.
Typical food applications include texture measurement of dairy products
(butter, cheese yoghurts, etc), sauces, doughs, cookies, crackers and
other baked goods, vegetables, meat products, candies, pie/cake fillings
and puddings.
New food texture analyser
Mecmesin
has released their new Texture Analyser FTA 2.5 Xt. The FTA
2.5 Xt, available in Australia through SI Instruments, is based
on the Mecmesin MultiTest 2.5 Xt, the 2.5 kN test centre for
tension and compression. The FTA 2.5 Xt is controlled by a
Windows 7 Tablet PC, directly connected to the testing centre to control
the machine and capture the data. The FTA 2.5 Xt can be pre-programmed
for routine testing and it is possible to select up to five of these
tests as ‘favourites’ which allows operators to load their
test with one press of the button; ready for testing.
In depth and advanced routines can be programmed and the analysing
part of the software enables in-depth analysis of food texture properties
such as chewiness, firmness, hardness and softness of food products.
Special probes and fixtures, such as the Kramer Shear cell, Dough and
Gluten test cell and a variety of accessories are available for all
food products.
Eric St Martins, SI Instruments
Tel: (08) 8352 5511
Email: eric@si-instruments.com
Web: si-instruments.com
Wrapper release test helps out in a sticky situation
Confectionery manufacturers can now evaluate and improve the functionality
of sweet wrappers, as a result of an innovative new test available from
Arrow Scientific.
The Wrapper Release test provides an accurate analysis of the difficulty
consumers have when removing confectionery wrapping. The results obtained
allow manufacturers to select or alter packaging materials to improve
the consumer experience.
A large proportion of boiled sweets and chewy candies are presented
in individually wrapped pieces, due to their adhesive nature. The wrapping
must be of a unique, non-stick quality to allow it to contain and protect
the product, without being problematic to remove. Materials that adhere
tightly to the product will split and tear on removal – leading
to consumer frustration.
The
innovatively designed Wrapper Release rig, used in conjunction with
the TA.XTplus texture analyser, incorporates a multi-slot plate
and a clamping fixture. A large, rectangular sample of the confectionery
product is placed on the underside of the multi-slot plate, while the
wrapping material is attached to the upper fixture. During the test,
the arm of the texture analyser brings the attached wrapping material
down into each hole so that the wrapper repeatedly contacts and withdraws
from the product.
The maximum force required to withdraw from the product is recorded,
providing a measure of the adhesiveness of the material to the confectionery.
For optimum performance, as low a force as possible would be the target.
Using the results obtained, manufacturers can identify any issues with
current or proposed wrapping materials and make changes accordingly.
Other instruments from Stable Micro Systems for the assessment of
adhesive products include the measurement of peel strength, extrudability,
hardness, elongation and ‘quick stick’ of products such
as labels, sealants, tapes and pastes.
Laboratory scale depositer
Arrow
Scientific also offers custom single-shot depositors suitable for heat
sensitive, viscous products.
With batches as small as 500 g, the Bottom Line Depositor can deliver
centre-filled products at a much lower cost than other currently available
pilot equipment.
This new system produces presentation-quality product concepts such
as filled chocolates, hard candies and caramels. It can also be used
for new concepts such as honey-filled throat drops, yoghurt-filled fruit
jellies, or sugar-free hard candy filled with energy gel. Candy pieces
from 1–25 g can be created, and custom dies are available for
innovative stripes, swirls and patterns.
The Bottom Line depositors have two (or more) individually heated
and temperature-controlled product hoppers and pump heads. Servo operation
for each pump is independent, so the operator can set separate parameters
such as up and down speed, start and stop timing and stroke length.
The Bottom Line Depositor has many automated features, including a
touch screen operator interface that can store up to 99 recipes. It
can also be operated manually.
The hoppers hold up to 3 kg of product. Options include heat control
on product hoppers and pump heads, custom die plates and special piece
sizes.
The servo driven depositor has both product hoppers controlled independently,
which allows for co-depositing two products with different properties.
The control panel has an operator touch screen.
The pneumatic depositor is designed to sit on a lab counter top. The
machine has a single hopper with a divider plate, which gives the capability
of producing two colour/flavour products with similar heat and flow
properties. This machine can also be built with multiple hoppers and
heads.
Arrow Scientific Pty Ltd
Tel: (02) 9427 7455
Fax: (02) 9427 7456
Email/Web:
info@arrowscientific.com.au
www.arrowscientific.com.au
Onsite and laboratory mycotoxin detection
Vicam
has launched Vertu™, a digital lateral flow technology
for quantitative mycotoxin screening. The Vertu reader aims
to provide accessible and cost-effective testing of aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol
(DON) to food and agricultural producers who rely on early detection
to protect both humans and animals from the effects of contamination.
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical by-products of mould species
which originate in soil. Severe rain and drought encourage mycotoxin
production. Once released mycotoxins are difficult to manage and virtually
impossible to destroy.
Regulatory levels set by international bodies require that mycotoxin
testing be performed at several stages during a product’s manufacturing
cycle. If a given product needs to be tested in the field, during receival
or in a manufacturing QA laboratory, the Vertu reader provides
manufacturers with a fast and easy way to achieve this. No special training
or expertise is required to operate the reader. Operators obtain results
in just a few minutes, providing critical data for the management and
control of mycotoxins in grains and peanuts.
Dr Stephen Powers, Director of Research and Development
for Vicam, said, “The new Vertu system for mycotoxin
testing provides even greater speed and simplicity while continuing
to provided the accuracy and reliability that are the hallmark of Vicam
products.”
The Vertu technology enhances Vicam’s portfolio of
single use food safety tests designed to meet the increasingly stringent
regulatory and economic challenges confronting today’s global
food chain.
Further information is available from
Mike Watson, 3-Tech
Tel: (03) 9752 0088
Email: mikeawatson@bigpond.com
Pumphead technology behind flavoured coffee success
Behind a successful flavoured coffee outlet is an efficient dispensing
system, and behind an efficient dispensing system are pumpheads. One
such successful outlet is Dunkin’ Donuts in America, who sells
2.7 million cups a day (or nearly one billion cups a year).
Watson-Marlow sells pumpheads to Taylor Company, of Rockton IL, USA,
who manufactures the Flavor-Shot dispenser for Dunkin’
Donuts. The pumps can accurately and quickly dose concentrated flavours
in volumes ranging from 1.6 mL to 32 mL. The machine can add flavour
to containers from 350 mL to 7.5 L. The pump offers a long life before
needing maintenance or cleaning, which, when required, is as easy as
replacing a tube.
Watson-Marlow worked with Taylor Company to help test and improve
the pumps for the Flavor-Shot dispenser. The Flavor-Shot
project began in early 2002, and production began in October 2004. Since
that time, Watson-Marlow have supplied 65 000 of the 313D pumpheads,
worth $2.6 million.
The Flavor-Shot uses nine Watson-Marlow 313D pumps to inject
flavours, and a tenth to add sugar solution. The product launch was
planned for summer when sales of iced coffee start to rise. By adding
the flavours, Dunkin’ Donuts were able to attract new customers.
Flavoured coffee has been around for many years. The flavour was added
to the beans in production. This required a separate production run
and distribution, and a separate brewing cycle in-store for each flavour.
This inefficiency allowed Dunkin’ Donuts to offer only two flavours
at a time. Now, the new machine offers nine flavours, and it is only
necessary to brew regular coffee.
The machine speeds up service, shortening the lines that develop each
morning in the store and at the drive-through. It also allows the company
to satisfy customers who are very particular about what they want. A
“blueberry iced coffee, half regular, half decaf, with melted
sugar, and light on the cream” is no longer time consuming to
prepare. Previously, this order would have required several steps, and
wasted a hot cup of coffee to melt the sugar in before transferring
to the cold cup.
The machine’s flexibility allows the creation of innovative
flavour combinations, as well as reproduction of flavours offered by
competitors.
Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps are hoping to have a Taylor dispenser at
this year’s foodpro (Stand V5).
Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps
Tel: (02) 8787 1400
Fax: (02) 9729 0792
Email: enquires@wmbpumps.com.au
Web: www.wmbpumps.com.au.
VSM Series Micro Sensors
The new VSM Series Micro Sensors from Banner Engineering Corp provide
a solution for a wide variety of applications in a number of different
industries, specifically those requiring smooth, hygienic designs such
as food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. Their size and ability to
function in heavy washdown environments that use a variety of liquids
and chemicals make them versatile sensors in processing environments.
In addition, they are an alternative to proximity sensors and optical
fibers in high-flex environments.
These miniature photoelectric sensors are housed in either a threaded
or smooth, self-contained 4 mm barrel with 300 series stainless steel,
or in flat-pack side-looking housing, making them easy to clean. The
sapphire lens resists a wide variety of chemicals and cutting fluids.
The sensors provide an advanced convergent optical design for a very
repeatable sensing range. Models are available with a 10, 20, 50 or
90 mm sensing range, and up to
250 mm as a through beam. A narrow, well focused sensing beam allows
the entire sensor to be recessed into the fixture (excluding the 50
mm range model).
Micromax Sensors & Automation
Tel: 1300 36 26 26
Fax: 1300 01 700
Email: info@micromaxsa.com.au
Web: www.bannerengineering.com.
New data logger for energy management
Energy management is an important issue for the food industry now
and in the future. A new data logger from Onset Computer Corporation,
enables energy management professionals to easily track building energy
consumption, equipment run times and water and gas flow rates. It can
simultaneously measure and record pulse signals, events, state changes,
and run times, and is capable of storing up to 4 million measurements,
enabling longer deployments with fewer site visits.
The HOBO UX120 Pulse Logger, a highly versatile, 4-channel
energy data logger combines the functionality of four separate data
loggers into a single compact unit.
“The HOBO UX120 offers unparalleled energy measurement
flexibility at a fraction of the cost of current multi-channel pulse
logging solutions. It will become a standard toolbox product for energy
monitoring applications where fast deployment and a range of energy
measurements are needed. For example, while the logger is monitoring
power use on one channel, it can independently track gas flow on another,
pump runtimes on another, etc,” said Scott Ellis,
Product Marketing Specialist for Onset.
The HOBO UX120 pulse logger claims to provide a number of
features that provides users with greater control over their deployments.
For example, users can start and stop the logger via software or pushbuttons,
and set the logger so it continues to log/overwrite data when the memory
is full. It also provides diagnostics via on-board LEDs to assure logger
operation which aids the installation process, and enables high-speed
data offloads via its USB 2.0 interface.
Onset’s new HOBO Power Logging System, which merges
the HOBO UX120 Pulse Logger with Onset’s E50B2
Energy and Power Meter, provides a comprehensive energy and power monitoring
solution. The flexible system can measure and record Power Factor (PF),
Reactive Power (VAR), Watt Hours (Wh) and a variety of other parameters.
Additionally, it accepts voltage ranges of 90–600VAC, current
ranges of 5–32 000 amps, and can be used for both single and three-phase
monitoring applications.
The HOBO UX120 Pulse Logger and HOBO Power Logging
System are compatible with Onset’s HOBOware® Pro
3.2 software, which combines powerful graphing and analysis capabilities
with a newly optimised interface for configuring logging options and
sensors.
The Australian supplier of the HOBO UX120-017 Pulse Logger,
available in standard and expanded memory versions, and the HOBO
Power Logging System is OneTemp Pty Ltd.
Jon Lockwood, Product Manager,
OneTemp Pty Ltd
Tel: 1300 768 887
Grill marker now available in Australia
G.S.
Italia, a leading manufacturer of machines and plant equipment for the
food industry based in Marnate (Varese) Italy, has a range of grill
marker machinery now available in Australia.
The grill markers are suitable for marking (not cooking) a range of
products such as breads, peppers, zucchinis, meat steaks, hamburger
patties and fish fillets. Grill markers are used to enhance the visual
appearance of the food items by marking a ‘grate-like’ mark
on the food product.
The markers are available in gas or electric models, with outputs
from 80 to 400 kg per hour depending on the product. The marking rolls
are made of AISI 304 stainless steel and can be customised: vertically
for products in slices or pieces or horizontally for small products.
The machines can also handle wet and salted products.
G.S. Italia has grill marker solutions for large industrial, and small-
to medium-sized production lines and it is represented in Oceania by
HBM Packaging Technologies
Tel: (02) 8814 3103, (03) 9646 3153,
Email: barton@hbm.com.au, geoff@hbm.com.au
Web: www.hbm.com.au
Metal detectable products improve safety
Within
the food and pharmaceutical industries, there is an ever present danger
of contamination from protective clothing and other articles accidentally
breaking and entering the production line. Undetected contaminants can
result in costly product recalls, damage to equipment, harm to a company’s
reputation or worse still, serious injury if the contamination is consumed.
CK Safety, sister company to Spray Nozzle Engineering (www.spraynozzle.com.au),
has recently introduced an extensive line of metal detectable products
to reduce the risk of product contamination during production.
CK Safety is the only supplier in Australasia of Detectamet products;
products that can be detected by conventional X-ray systems (dependent
on detection sensitivity), inline metal detectors and magnetic extraction
systems. Because of this, any CK Safety product will be detected by
these systems and be automatically rejected, providing immediate monitoring
feedback in a HACCP system.
Selected metal detectable products can also be ordered with Microban®
antibacterial protection to reduce, fungi and bacterial contamination
and their related food spoilage and food safety risks.
The range metal detectable products available from CK Safety includes
pens, cable ties, earplugs, beard snoods, spatulas, safety knives, wound
dressing and a range of stationery.
CK Safety
Tel: (03) 9583 2368,
Email: sales@cksafety.com.au
Web: www.cksafety.com.au.
In-house allergen testing available
Food
manufacturers are required to declare the presence of the major food
allergens in their products such as peanuts, gluten and soy. Also manufacturers
are increasingly creating new products that specifically do not contain
certain ingredients. For example, there have been an increasing number
of gluten-free products coming onto the market in recent years.
The presence of undeclared allergens in food products is not only
a potential danger to the consumer, but also a leading cause of food
recalls, which is costly in terms of both dollars and brand image.
Sources of allergens in finished product can be from raw materials,
cross contamination from other products made on the same equipment,
or transferred from elsewhere in the manufacturing plant. The ability
to test at all levels, both raw and finished goods, as well as the plant
environment is an important tool in prevention of contaminated product.
Previously testing for allergens has been either too complicated or
too expensive to do in-house. However, with the new range of allergen
testing kits from Romer Labs, manufacturers will able to perform their
own testing onsite. The tests are claimed to be rapid, cost-effective,
easy to use, require very little equipment or setup, and are suitable
for both very low and very large volume testing. The range currently
includes tests for the detection of peanut, gluten, milk, tree nuts,
egg and soy.
Andrew Odd,
Australasian Medical & Scientific Ltd
Tel: (02) 9882 3666
Email: aodd@amsl.com.au
Web: www.amsl.com.au.
Beverage processing and testing
Microbiological testing
Arrow
Scientific has launched the new 3M Petrifilm™ Aqua Plates
for beverage manufacturers. This microbiological test has been developed
to detect four of the most common contaminants in beverages: heterotrophic
count, coliform, yeast and mould and Enterobacteriaceae. This product
is an alternative to traditional agar petri dishes, which can produce
excessive waste and require large investment in employee time and refrigeration
space.
Petrifilm was introduced to food manufacturers more than 26 years
ago and is used worldwide by food microbiologists in all areas of food
safety and environmental testing.
The new Petrifilm Aqua Plates are promoted as providing a
reliable and simple way to test product safety, saving beverage bottling
companies time and money. In addition, they are easy to use and offer
quality assurance professionals the opportunity to streamline their
testing process.
The main users for the Petrifilm Aqua Plates are expected
to be the bottled water industry but it will also be of benefit to makers
of soft drinks, such as teas and carbonated drinks.
Extensive validation work has found that the plate performs well with
a membrane filter placed on it.
Thermal processing equipment
Arrow Scientific works with Bottom Line Process Technologies (BLT) to
design custom thermal processing machinery based on product, temperature
requirements, space availability, laboratory layout and budget. They
specialise in the design and fabrication of small-scale beverage equipment,
and other bench-top machinery, which can fill at rates up to 1 L/min
and with samples as small as 500 mL. Options include a beverage laboratory
hot fill (HTST) pasteuriser, UHT systems, a batch bottle pasteuriser
and a batch bottle chiller.
The standard HTST unit provides an efficient, simple to operate and
affordable way to produce beverage samples under controlled conditions.
There is a bottle filler box for safety, a hot water heater with digital
controller, variable speed product pump, all stainless construction,
digital product temperature display, water container with auto-refill
for start-up and flush.
The
batch bottle pasteuriser is a free-standing, movable unit which holds
all bottles to be pasteurised. It makes processing of a wide range of
products simple, safe, and scalable. It allows the heating and cooling
of filled bottles to the required specifications. It can be used for
a wide range of products including juices, teas, milk and milk products,
alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, energy drinks and flavoured waters.
The nominal capacity is 15 to 20 bottles (typically 350 mL) of juice
or beer bottles. The operator can set the desired pasteurising temperatures,
hold times, heating water temperatures, and cooled product temperatures
with the easy-to-use touch screen operator interface. When the Start
key is pressed, the unit automatically fills, pasteurises and cools
the bottles. An alarm sounds when the cycle is complete.
The
batch chiller is designed to cool bottles efficiently, create consistent
processing results, and boost testing productivity. It consists of a
stainless steel sink and a water chilling unit. The chiller is air-cooled,
and is self contained. Both the sink and the chiller are piped together.
Water circulates through the chiller to maintain temperature; the chiller
maintains a control range from 4–37°C. The BLT Batch Bottle
Chiller works well in the laboratory because it is a self-contained,
moveable unit.
Arrow Scientific Pty Ltd
Phone: (02) 9427 7455
Fax: (02) 9427 7456
Email: info@arrowscientific.com.au
Web: www.arrowscientific.com.au.
Merck Millipore has Charm
Merck
has acquired Millipore with the new company now Merck Millipore from
the beginning of 2011. The company has also announced that they are
the new distributor for the Charm Sciences Inc range of products, in
the areas of food safety, water quality and environmental diagnostic
tests. The portfolio includes test kits and systems for antibiotics,
veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, pesticides, alkaline phosphatase, pathogens,
end-product microbial assessment, allergen control, and ATP hygiene.
Charm Sciences is a well known technology leader in advancing both
dairy and food safety diagnostics worldwide.
Merck Millipore Pty Limited
Tel: 1800 335 571,
Fax: (03) 9728 7611
Email: merck@merck.com.au
Web: www.merck-chemicals.com.au
NIMPL frozen mussel processing system utilises innovative
technology
North
Island Mussel Processors Limited (NIMPL) in Tauranga, New Zealand, has
installed a processing system that can withstand the challenging frozen
mussel processing environment. The customised distribution solution
combines an open, gateless stainless steel design with caustic wash
down capabilities to minimise food safety risks.
The state-of-the-art NIMPL facility processes up to 1.6 million individually
quick frozen (IQF) half-shell mussels per day. The factory comprises
an innovative combination of distribution, accumulation and weighing
systems provided by packaging and processing specialist tna (www.tnasolutions.com).
A key feature of the system is the five electromagnetically-driven
horizontal motion conveyors (tna roflo®HMW 3). These have
been specially constructed to handle intense pressure cleaning with
caustic solutions without the need to remove any guarding or machine
parts. Importantly, the roflo®HMW 3 is gateless so the
risk of contamination is minimised. This hygienic design is particularly
important in shellfish applications where microbial pathogens, particularly
Listeria, are a serious threat.
The rapid, yet gentle linear motion of the conveyor transports the
IQF mussels with no vibration, reducing damage to the shells which can
be brittle depending on the season. This is important as the mussels
are served in the half-shell, so broken shells are not acceptable.
According to Steve Wells, General Manager at North
Island Mussel Processors, the gentle handling of the mussels by this
system has already resulted in a 20% reduction in shell breakages. It
also meets their stringent cleaning requirements while also maximising
productivity and operational efficiency as it significantly reduces
downtime for cleaning by up to 60% and cleaning time by 40% compared
to conventional conveyors. With full automated control and few moving
parts, they expect that the ongoing maintenance requirements will be
considerably less than mechanical handling systems.
Radio frequency technology increases warehouse efficiency
and safety
Materials
handling turnkey specialist Industrial Conveying has developed a new
technology for high rise warehouses to allow each crane to communicate
with every stationary object on its racks. The High Bay Stacker system
is essentially a sortation system managed by Radio Frequency (RF) technology.
The tight communications link between the materials handling technology
and the product provides a rapid movement by the crane to gather stock.
It allows fast and accurate use of very high spaces within a warehouse
and as efficiently as at floor level. Stacker units achieve their high
efficiency and rates of accuracy through automated control systems that
accurately and rapidly position them on their X and Y axes.
In high-rise warehouses, RF-guided ASRS (automated stacking retrieval
system) stacker crane systems are claimed to the most effective way
to store pallets because they can achieve far more efficient aisle movement,
lift- and lower-times, and placement and retrieval than the human-operated
forklift.
In addition, forklifts can be expensive to operate and tricky to maintain,
involve a lot of human input and in recent times have been identified
by WorkSafe bodies as a leading cause of personnel injury in Australia.
Energy prices, particularly electricity, forecast for continuous price
increases across Australia in the coming years, will also impact on
forklift use.
Also predicted to increase is the price per square metre of floor
space, forcing some warehouse operators to look for ways of reducing
floor spacing and optimising the area between the floor and ceiling.
Companies in this situation require accuracy of selection during the
materials handling process but find it hard to reduce damage to product
while maintaining multiple choice of picking (a ‘first-in first-out’
system or by selection).
The stacker crane technology can reach much higher than the tynes
of forklifts and will operate across a wide temperature and environment
band to facilitate all types of industries, conditions and atmospheric
variations, ie where heat and/or humidity are required in the warehousing
environment all the way down the other end of the temperature scale
where frozen products are being stored at -30°C.
“Stacker crane technology is configured to be extremely cost-effective
regardless of how high or how low an altitude it is handling –
the technology is scalable and cost efficient regardless.
“ASRS suits general transport logistics services, the food and
beverage processing industry, snack foods warehousing, general industrial
warehouses and retail warehousing operations,” explained Managing
Director of Industrial Conveying Don Erskine.
The solution fits into a logistics and distribution chain better than
a forklift system. It combines with automatic truck loading systems
for a pre-assembly of loads waiting for the next truck to arrive, which
makes a positive difference to operating costs. Loading also becomes
much quicker. With this system an operator can ‘cube’ the
load to get optimum usage in the truck space. It provides the ability
to be able to load B-Double trucks automatically.
The ASRS integrates easily with Industrial Conveying’s suite
of pallet dock loading and dispatch technologies which can be entirely
automated or made to work in synchronicity with dock loading forklifts.
Don Erskine, Industrial Conveying (Aust) Pty Ltd,
Tel: (03) 5440 5100
Web: www.icaust.com.au
New food transport trolley
The Swedish-designed
Temptainer is the new generation of food transport trolley
now available from Warequip.
The active heating unit can be connected to a standard power point
to heat it to the desired temperature. The stainless steel design and
deep draw guides assists easy loading. High pressure polyurethane foam
(74 mm) provides insulation and keeps the temperature inside constant
during food transport. All Temptainers have user friendly handle
bars, shock absorbing bumpers and a completely hoseable interior and
exterior, for ease of cleaning.
Temptainers are available in active heating, neutral and
active cooling, with single storage, twin and tower models for more
flexible food transport.
Warequip
Tel: 1800 337 711
Web: www.warequip.com.au
CHEP crate system shows proven sustainability
CHEP
Australia’s returnable plastic crate (RPC) system for produce
has proven its sustainability credentials, delivering significant environmental
performance as well as functionality and financial value in the supply
chain.
An independent lifecycle study by RMIT University Melbourne found
that the CHEP RPC system generated significant benefits for customers
compared with a single-use corrugated cardboard packaging system. Based
on the results of the study, the estimated benefits on a daily basis
are more than 175 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions saved, more than
1.2 million litres of water saved, and more than 20 tonnes of solid
waste avoided.
The study complies with the ISO 14044 methodology for environmental
systems and has been thoroughly peer reviewed by two independent industry
experts. The extensive assessment took into account the environmental
impact of the entire product and system lifecycle, including inputs
to manufacture and the full end of life processes for both packaging
systems.
The key results from the study highlight the sustainability efficiencies
of the CHEP RPC system when compared with a single-use corrugated cardboard
system. The efficiencies identified include:
- Greenhouse gas emissions – 70% less emissions
than a single-use corrugated cardboard system.
- Landfill – 95% less solid waste than the
single use corrugated cardboard system because of a reduction in manufacturing
process waste, even if all cardboard is recycled after use.
- Water usage – 85% less water is used to
wash RPCs than is required for the manufacture and recycling of a
single-use corrugated cardboard system.
CHEP Manager of Business Development Renee Holbrook
said, “This study confirms the RPC system performs with lower
environmental impacts across a wide range of possible situations. Looking
forward, sustainability will continue to be a critical element in CHEP’s
value offering and ongoing product development.”
“These measures of environmental efficiency highlight the importance
of CHEP’s network planning and efficient reverse logistics in
delivering the most sustainable service to our customers and their supply
chains. This service will continue to be an important element in the
management of existing platforms and the design and development of new
reusable packaging solutions,” she concluded.
Further information is available via www.chep.com.
New liquid analysis controller
Endress+Hauser’s Liquiline CM442 digital, multi-parameter
controller and range of digital sensors provide a comprehensive analyser
and sampler platform. The device currently measures six different parameters:
pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), conductivity, turbidity, nitrate
and dissolved oxygen. It is designed for applications such as water
and wastewater, power plants and the chemical industry.
In all of today’s industries, safe and accurate process measurements
are crucial. The sensors use Endress+Hauser’s Memosens
digital technology, which claims to have revolutionised the safety of
data transmission. This technology overcomes technical problems associated
with analogue analytical measurements and assures interference-free,
reliable data transmission. The uniform connection and software across
all parameters standardises operation for all devices, assuring safety
and minimising training costs.
Identical sensor connections, cables and hardware make it possible
to switch between parameters without any adaptions. This simplifies
inventory requirements and significantly reduces inventory costs. Just
one CM442 controller is required for two parameters so fewer
field transmitters/controllers are needed at a measuring point. Currently
any combination of two sensors can be connected, with eight sensor capability
available early in 2011.
The CM442 has a graphic backlit display for simple and clear
menu guidance. A jog shuttle navigator allows the user to scroll rapidly
through plain text menus, even when wearing gloves. In addition to the
configurable relay outputs, the display features a red-lit background
for alarm conditions to alert users to errors, further enhancing safety.
Fast commissioning, calibration and maintenance are possible due to
the plug-and-play capabilities of the Memosens technology,
which allows for pre-configuration and workshop calibration of sensors.
Process compensations and auto-cleaning functions are easily enabled
by freely editable tables and mathematical functions, whilst effective
asset management is enabled when integrated into Endress+Hauser’s
FieldCare and W@M asset management solutions.
Jimmy Britz, Product Manager Analysis, Endress+Hauser
Australia
Tel: (02) 8877 7000
Email: jimmy.britz@au.endress.com
Web: www.au.endress.com
Measurement of head load forces in capping machine
SI
Instruments has developed the mini TehloTest for measuring
head load force in capping machines. The wireless edition of the long
proven Head Load Tester is now available in a miniaturised
size. The mini TehloTest is ideal for small bottles, as it
is only 42 mm in diameter and 101 mm tall. It can be wirelessly operated
from a distance of up to 30 m – no wires to be pulled or damaged
while the unit travels through the capping machine. Designed for use
in the production line, the mini TehloTest consists of two
parts: the mini test unit containing the load cell – in a custom
made sleeve to imitate the exact size and shape of the bottles –
and the user interface, containing the control module.
The possibilities extend further with EasyPlot graphing software,
making it possible to obtain a full graph of the capping force on a
computer screen.
Accurate measurement with a fast response rate in a strong, durable,
robust housing, the mini TehloTest is easy to use, with clear
intuitive controls. It features a large, easy to read backlit LCD display
with interchangeable units of measurement (N, kg or lb).
Eric St Martins, SI Instruments
Tel: (08) 8352 5511
Email: enc@si-instruments.com
Web: SI-instruments.com
New Velp DKL series from Rowe Scientific Pty Ltd
The
new range of Velp DKL digesters are suitable for a variety applications
in food and feed, beverage (nitrogen, protein, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen),
environmental (COD, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen), chemical and pharmaceutical
(organic nitrogen) industries, in accordance with a variety of International
Standards (such as AOAC, ISO, EPA, DIN etc). The range features a DKL
8, 12 and 20 which hold 42 mm outer diameter test tubes. There is also
a DKL 42/26 which holds 42 x 100 mL 26 mm outer diameter test tubes.
In order to neutralise the fumes produced during
the digestion, DKL sytems can be combined with a proper Aspiration
Pump and Fume Neutralization System. The Velp SMS Scrubber is designed
to neutralise corrosive and toxic fumes that develop during oxidative
mineralisation (or other) processes. The system is supplied in the configuration
consisting of two stages: condensation and neutralisation. The SMS scrubber
can be supplied with a third (optional) stage, generally used with samples
that generate high amounts of fumes during digestion (eg soybean).
The SMS has a broad range of applications, from the
Kjeldahl method to neutralisation with acids and bases. Thanks to the
elevated surface of contact between gas and liquid, the SMS provides
effective cleaning of the fumes, preventing their hazardous emission
into the laboratory and environment. The SMS attains its maximum effectiveness
when combined with the VELP JP recirculating water pump for fumes aspiration.
Lack of adequate water mains pressure, or its high
consumption, frequently prevents common water pumps from being used.
The Velp JP consists of an ABS structure highly resistant to chemical
corrosion and a tank where water is recirculated continuously, offering
savings on water usage.
The quality of the materials used make the Velp JP
extremely quiet, durable, and guarantee a high flow rate (up to 35 L/min).
Special technical features, such as the level tank for checking the
water, the cock for emptying the tank and two convenient handles for
handling, help the laboratory technician during use.
To find out more go to www.rowe.com.au.
CombiCube B to debut in Australia
The
Australian company CoPack Beverages based in Victoria is the first company
in the world to start operation with the new CombiCube B which
is a compact brewhouse from Krones Steinecker plant in Germany (www.krones.com),
which was unveiled in July.
This is the first time that CoPack Beverages has produced beer in-house;
normally they are a contract bottler for both alcoholic and soft drinks.
After investigating the options available for the desired scale of operations,
they found that the CombiCube B offered the most convincing
technological concept in every aspect.
Up to this point, breweries with a brew size of 5000 to 10 000 L of
cast wort have not been able to benefit from Steinecker’s innovations
and capabilities. Their customised installations beyond this output
could not be readily adapted for the smaller output range, so they aimed
to modify the large-size kit for the lower output range. However, this
compact brewhouse can also be used by breweries with a higher output
who want to produce their seasonal and specialty beers in a separate
brewing process, independently of their principal brands.
Depending on the mashing process chosen, a maximum of four vessels
of the compact brewhouse are used as a mash tun, a mash-wort copper,
a lauter tun or a mash-lauter tun, complemented by a whirlpool. The
vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art technological features similar
to their large-size counterparts in Steinecker’s range.
The compact dimensions of the frame construction, with vessel sizes
specifically tailored to the needs of mid-tier breweries, save an significant
amount of space as well. Depending on the version involved, the entire
brewhouse has a footprint of only 97 to 117 m2. This also reduces the
costs required for transport and erection.
New manufacturing equipment increases production
efficacy
New manufacturing equipment suitable for the manufacture of pasta
and filled snack and dessert products is now available in Australia.
Volumetric fillers
Multi-Fill
Inc of Utah, USA, specialise in the manufacture of semi-automatic and
automatic volumetric fillers for the home meal replacement, convenience
foods and foodservice sectors. Recently Multi-Fill successfully installed
a MPFSH-075 Automatic Volumetric Filler for Victorian food
manufacturer Casa Della Pasta at their Thomastown facility.
Casa Della Pasta supplies fresh, frozen and precooked pasta, ready
meals, pasta and finishing sauces and pasta bakes. Until the Multi-Fill
was introduced into production, the company was constrained by the sticky
nature of their pasta products, particularly spaghetti and fettuccini,
and were manually filling with a line output of 16 meals per minute.
The company can now dose efficiently and effectively with one clean
dose. Most of their products were previously pre-weighed by hand as
it was difficult to get the weight or position right. This process is
now achieved with only one person, who ensures that the feed hopper
has product, saving on staff and increasing production volumes.
The Multi-Fill MPFSH-075 volumetric filler was chosen by
Casa Della Pasta as it is able to process difficult to handle products
such as cooked rice, cooked pasta, cut fruit and vegetables, cereals
and shredded meats and has an output speed of between 50–75 cpm,
depending on the product and the container type.
The machine installed at Casa has reportedly increased their production
by 300% to 50 meals per minute, improved quality and eliminated the
need for manual pre-dosing with a significant reduction in labour.
Lasagne lines
GS
Italia, based in Italy, claim to have revolutionised the production
of fresh lasagne with their automated lasagne lines. With more than
25 successful installations around the world, the lasagne lines are
becoming a popular alternative to the traditional hand-made options
for producing lasagne as the machinery is able to maintain the ‘hand-made’
look of the lasagne and has a production speed of 300 to 1200 pieces/h.
Available in both straight line or rotary configurations, semi-automatic
or fully automatic, the machines can be custom designed to provide the
smallest footprint possible, without compromising on the productivity.
There are two dosing/filling units that dose the béchamel and
ragout, an automated tray dispenser and the heated product storage tanks
hold 100 L.
The lasagne lines are designed to handle the complete production process;
from the production of the dressings (meat sauce and béchamel)
to the preparation and packing of the final products, ready for sale.
Product forming machine
GS
Italia is also offering The MaxiForm Baby, a versatile product
forming machine designed to produce snacks and sweets – plain
or filled – in different shapes. The machine is suitable for small
to medium production, and can produce up to 2500 x 30 g pieces per hour.
A new pushing system controlled by an inverter takes the place of the
old screw conveyors. The new system has significantly increased the
production speed and allows for more delicate product production, which
has improved the quality of the final product. The exit mouth of the
machine has been enlarged to 65 mm to cater for the production of croquettes
of up to 300 g.
Designed for flexibility, the MaxiForm Baby can produce products
from 6 to 300 g using flour, rice dough and meat, chicken, fish, vegetables
and cheese filling including Arancini pear shaped balls, stuffed or
filled gnocchi, cheese, meat, fish or rice balls, fruit bars with a
jelly filled pillow, sausage rolls and meat pies, small sweets and truffles.
All equipment is available in Australia and New Zealand from:
HBM Packaging Technologies
Tel: (02) 8814 3103 / (03) 9646 3153 / +64 9 271 6144
Email: barton@hbm.com.au / geoff@hbm.com.au,
wayne@hbm.co.nz
Web: www.hbm.com.au.
Universal Potato Chip System
Earlier
this year, Heat and Control announced a new product release, the Universal
Potato Chip System (UPC).
UPC is claimed to be the world’s most versatile fryer system
for potato, plantain and other snack chips. From hard-bite style to
traditional chips, UPC allows the manufacturer to create personalised
snacks for each customer.
UPC utilises independent fryer modules integrated into one continuous
frying system. The temperature, dwell time and oil flow in each module
can be adjusted to produce chips with specific texture, moisture and
colour qualities. UPC features new technology protected by patents applied
for and granted.
The UPC is claimed to be economical and efficient, costing less to
operate than separate batch or continuous fryers producing the same
capacity. UPC claims to use about half the energy of comparable batch
fryers. It can also produce traditional style potato chips using little
or no slice washing.
Easy-to-use PLC control stores multiple recipes so products can be
changed in minutes. Cooking oil is continuously filtered in each frying
module for superior product quality.
Heat and Control provides everything required to process and package
snacks, including potato unloading, storage, and preparation systems,
continuous and batch peelers, inspection conveyors, batch and continuous
fryers, seasoning applicators, conveyor and distribution systems, installation
services, classroom and on-site training, field service and spare parts,
equipment demonstrations, ongoing technical support.
Amber Crowley, Heat and Control Pty Ltd
Tel: (07) 3877 6387
Fax: (07) 3343 8371
Email: acrowley@heatandcontrol.com
Web: www.heatandcontrol.com
Aseptic form-fill-seal equipment for new mini milk-portions
Benco
Pack SpA of Italy have been chosen by Nestlé China to supply
an aseptic form-fill-seal machine for their new range of UHT milk cream
mini-portions. Benco Pack custom designed a solution for the unique
requirements of the customer which culminated in a fully aseptic packaging
line that is highly automated and offers increased efficiency and ease
of operation.
The Miniasepack/32/20 is claimed to be one of the most cost
competitive aseptic machines available globally and was chosen due to
the excellent return on investment and the high efficiency (> 95%).
The horizontal aseptic machine uses a three step packaging and filling
process. Containers are thermoformed starting from a roll of multi-layer
plastic film (PS/EVO/PE or similar), filled with the UHT product, closed
by a thermo-sealed, peel-able lid and then cut to the desired configuration.
Nestlé will produce UHT milk cream mini-portions of 10 mL that
are designed to be drunk with tea and coffee. The machine is capable
of outputs of up to 36 000 cups/hour.
Due to the aseptic packaging technology, the cups do not need to be
distributed via a cold chain. The machine is pre-sterilised and maintained
in sterile conditions by steam and hydrogen peroxide sprays. The packaging
materials are sterilised and the process occurs inside a tunnel with
an overpressure of sterile air.
Vezio Bernadri, Chairman of parent company Sacmi Filling,
said, “We have complied with increasing market demand for highly
automated machines which combine easy operation and increased efficiency,
production speed and noise reductions.”
Benco Pack offers form-fill-seal systems for mini-portions, single
and thermoformed cups, in Hygienic, Ultra Clean and Aseptic versions,
with over 350 machine installations worldwide.
Benco Pack is represented in Australia by HBM Packaging Technologies.
Barton Porter, Geoff Kelly,
HBM Packaging Technologies
Tel: (02) 8814 3100, (03) 9646 3153
Email: barton@hbm.com.au, geoff@hbm.com.au
Web: www.hbm.com.au
OneStep technology for processing UHT milk
In
May, Tetra Pak (www.tetrapak.com) launched OneStep technology,
a Tetra Lactenso™ Aseptic solution that incorporates UHT white
milk production within a single, high-throughput process.
OneStep technology eliminates the need for pasteurisation, pre-treatment
and intermediate storage. In one continuous process, raw milk is preheated,
clarified, separated, standardised and homogenised, before undergoing
UHT treatment and regenerative cooling, and then being transferred to
two aseptic buffer tanks. This shortens processing time from as much
as two days to just a few hours, cutting operating costs by up to 50%
compared with conventional solutions.
In essence, the innovation of OneStep technology is that it combines
heat treatment, separation and standardisation into a single step, significantly
simplifying and accelerating the production process.
In addition to shortening the time it takes to process raw milk, OneStep
technology also incorporates aseptic buffering, enabling completely
automated and continuous UHT operations, with fewer process steps and
smaller hold-up volumes in the line.
“The whole process is far more efficient than conventional solutions,
creating significant savings when it comes to operating costs and greatly
reducing the environmental impact. And because a lot less equipment
and floor space are needed, capital costs are also lower. It adds up
to greater efficiency at lower cost,” said Bengt Eliasson,
Manager, Tetra Pak Dairy Aseptic Solutions.
Tetra Pak OneStep technology claims to reduce energy and water consumption
by up to 35%, and cut waste and effluent load by as much as 60%, due
to better accuracy in chemical use during Cleaning in Place (CIP). These
savings are estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of the production
process by around 40%. Furthermore, the streamlined process cuts product
loss by up to 30% compared to conventional UHT solutions, due to fewer
process steps and smaller hold-up volumes in the line.
With the ability to change the fat content of milk products without
stopping production – and to run milk with different fat contents
at the same time – OneStep technology provides aseptic line flexibility,
enabling efficient production planning and high utilisation of filling
machines, with up to 100% availability.
Viscometers and rheometers for chocolate manufacture
Rheological
measurements are essential in optimising the production and properties
of confectionery. The HAAKE Viscotester 550 is used to determine
the flow behaviour and yield point of chocolate melts according to the
guidelines of the expert commission of the Office International du Cacao,
du Chocolat et de la Confiserie (OICCC), therefore influencing product
characteristics such as melt and setting behaviour.
The HAAKE Viscotester 550 assists in the measurement of data
and different parameters that influence the quality of the chocolate.
When used in conjunction with the use of the HAAKE RheoWin
software, it is possible to graphically visualise the measured data.
An
extensive range of accessories for the range of viscometers and rheometers
is available to cover the unique aspects of a wide variety of applications.
For example, a bending instrument is available for the rheometer line
which can be used to place bars of chocolate and perform bending, breakage
and penetration tests.
With the RheoScope module for the HAAKE MARS Rheometer platform,
structural examinations can be performed using optical microscopy at
the same time as the rheological measurements. In this way, the melting
behaviour of fat samples and crystal formation can be studied. A Universal
holder makes it possible to take measurements in original containers,
such as jars of chocolate sauce. This eliminates the time-consuming
process of pouring out samples and cleaning cups, and also preserves
the material structures.
Kaye Griffin, Rheology Solutions Pty Ltd
Tel: (03) 5367 7477
Fax: (03) 5367 6477
Email: info@rheologysolutions.com
Web: www.rheology solutions.com
Quality control measurement of liquids and packaging
In
order to achieve high quality merchandise with minimal production losses,
good process control and monitoring is critical. This is true for production
of both a food product itself, the packaging, and putting the former
inside the latter efficiently. Laboratory and on-line systems are capable
of delivering solutions for quality control (QC) monitoring, and in
cases where extra information about the flow properties (of liquid foods)
is unnecessary, an on-line option can be the most useful.
On-line systems often provide streamlined data, showing changes in
more limited criteria for the product during the process. In this way
corrective action can be quickly taken, minimising potential for waste
and reprocessing. Laboratory instruments, designed for quick data collection
(only a few seconds or minutes) and intuitive understanding of the data
can also be useful in this respect where no proven on-line alternative
exists.
On-line monitoring of shear viscosity is widely accepted for many
kinds of materials including for liquid foods, and molten polymer packaging.
In-pipe or in-tank probes can closely monitor the shear viscosity of
the material in situ, allowing operators and engineers to take appropriate
action to maintain the specifications of the food product. These probes
can also be mounted at the die end of an extruder to monitor the viscosity
of molten polymer before the moulding of packaging. Post-extrusion,
the quality of the packaging material can be monitored optically to
detect, catalogue and notify when user defined flaws exist in the packaging
material (eg fish eyes, pinholes, dark/light spots etc).
For filling a liquid food into a package (by pouring, squirting, spraying
etc), extensional viscosity often dominates the process. Unfortunately,
there is no proven on-line method for monitoring the extensional viscosity
of foods as they are dispensed from above into their packaging. However,
a novel, simple and quick laboratory technique has been developed for
this purpose – measuring the relative impact of the extensional
properties of a liquid. In this way the product and the packaging can
be monitored on-line right through the process, until the product has
safely been deposited in its packaging.
Rheology Solutions designed the Marimex ViscoScope Viscometer
for this purpose. The system data can be fed to the programmable logic
controller (PLC) within the production process and by monitoring viscosity
and temperature in-line, any out of specification product is identified
and the process can then be adjusted accordingly.
This system can be used within pumping, mixing and storage stages
for raw materials and finished products to consistently measure and
report on viscosity and temperature changes.
The ViscoScope system consists of a rugged sensor and associated
electronics, which has been designed for process environments. The sensor
has high resistance against foreign influences and can be applied in
many industries including chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and
food industries.
Dependent on the application requirements one or two Pt100 temperature
measurement devices will be used within the sensor. The first Pt100
is built into the sensor probe itself and measures the process temperature
at the same location at which the viscosity is being measured. A second
Pt100 is used in higher temperature applications to measure the coil
temperature. Besides internal monitoring and analysis of the health
of the sensor, the second Pt100 can be used for temperature control
of the coils, providing consistent performance of the sensor at changing
high process temperatures.
Customer calibration is not required. Start-up of the system is accomplished
in a few steps, including an automatic zero procedure, which can be
initiated from the front panel, a pocket PC or remotely. Maintenance
free operation of the ViscoScope system provides low cost of
ownership. The sensors are approved for hazardous areas.
Rheology Solutions also provide on-line optical systems that are capable
of delivering solutions for QC monitoring, particularly for raw materials
or final products used in pellet or free flowing powder form, or for
sheets and films of various opague, semi-transparent and transparent
materials. These on-line systems are based on optical closed circuit
cameras, and are used to observe the powder/pellets or film/sheet. Comprehensive
software can analyse the images, recognising and cataloguing user-defined
abnormalities, complete with images, sizes and user defined classifications,
including tears, scratches, holes, discolourations, as well as dimensional
irregularities for pellets and so on. The system can be trained to recognise
(or ignore) and catalogue any defect seen by the camera, and the camera
can be used in either transmission mode (for transparent films) or reflection
mode (for opaque films, or a combination of both).
The web inspection system FSP 600 detects, documents and
protocols optical defects on transparent and opaque/coloured film using
transmission and reflection lighting technology. The lighting technology
is a special lighting unit with a focussing lens. This lamp uses high
frequency standard fluorescence tubes, so that service and maintenance
costs are very low. The maintenance can be carried out easily by the
customer.
The high end system uses Fuzzy algorithms and is able to distinguish
between a fly and a gel (for example). The easy Teach-In classification
enables the operator to select and name the defect classes by evaluating
the defect images. Then a classifier automatically determines the parameters
for these defect classes.
Furthermore, the operator has the possibility to evaluate the defect
image with a 3-D Analyser. The Filmtest Evaluation Software enables
the customer to re-analyse the defect information according to other
specifications.
Rheology Solutions
Tel: (03) 5367 7477
Fax: (03) 5367 6477
Email: info@rheologysolutions.com
Web: www.rheologysolutions.com
Texture analysis in the quest for perfection
In
his recent prime-time TV series, In Search of Perfection, chef
Heston Blumenthal has turned to texture analysis with a TA.XTPlus
texture analyser to help him perfect classic dishes.
With the help of food physicist Malcolm Povey and
Stable Micro Systems’ TA.XTPlus texture analyser, the
popular BBC show recently showed chef Heston Blumenthal combining science
and cookery in order to create the perfect crispy fish batter.
After struggling to produce the ultimate batter – one that hardens
on the outside while steaming the fish gently from within – Chef
Blumenthal visited Malcolm Povey, Professor of Food Physics at Leeds
University. Well known for his extensive work in food science, Professor
Povey pioneered Stable Micro Systems’s acoustic envelope detector,
which measures the burst of sound generated when food is bitten or snapped.
Utilising this innovative instrument along with a TA.XTPlus
texture analyser and ball probe, Professor Povey and Mr Blumenthal tested
batter to identify what constitutes the ideal crispness.
According to the sound pulses measured, the results showed that the
more bubbles there are in batter, the crispier, and more appealing,
it will be.
Described as a man who has made cooking a science, Chef Blumenthal’s
work reflects his innovative cooking philosophy. A self-taught chef,
his cuisine has earned him three Michelin stars and includes such dishes
as snail porridge and bacon and egg ice-cream.
Chef Blumenthal’s work with Professor Povey demonstrates the
wide scope of texture analysis. Providing essential data on the texture
of foods, it is proving to be an invaluable tool in many sectors, enabling
scientists and food manufacturers alike to create perfect foods time
after time.
Other novel attachments for TA.XTPlus texture analyser used
in testing cereal and baking products include the Noodle/Pasta Loop
Tensile Rig which aids manufacturers in testing the resilience and consumer
appeal of cooked sheet pasta and noodles and Peel rigs for testing packages.
The TA.XTPlus texture analyser is available in Australia
from Arrow Scientific.
Arrow Scientific Pty Ltd
Tel: (02) 9427 7455
Fax: (02) 9427 7456
Email: info@arrowscientific.com.au
Web: www.arrowscientific.com.au
State-of-the-art XRD analysis
X-ray
analytical instrument manufacturer PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands
(www.panalytical.com), has made advances in multi-purpose X-ray
diffraction (XRD) with the launch of its Empyrean high-performance
diffractometer. Every major element of Empyrean is new: the
X-ray source, the state-of-the-art goniometer, the sample stages and
the radiation enclosure. Importantly, the instrument also introduces
the world’s first 3D detection system, PIXcel3D.
As a result, Empyrean is able to measure all sample types
– from powders to thin films, from nanomaterials to 3D objects
– on a single instrument. Users can switch between application
set-ups in a fast and cost-effective way using PANalytical’s proven
PreFIX modules. Dedicated hardware, software and regulatory
expertise incorporated in pre-defined programs, and a customisable desktop
and batch sample capabilities help make advanced functions accessible
to all.
Dr Martijn Fransen, Product Marketing Manager XRD,
said, “Empyrean is PANalytical’s answer to the
challenges of modern materials research. … The lifetime of a PANalytical
diffractometer stretches further than the typical horizon of a single
research program and, for many scientists, an ability to accommodate
change is a ‘must-have’ feature in their decision to invest
in an XRD system.”
For many users, powder samples are their primary interest. However,
with respect to thin films, Empyrean provides for high-resolution
epitaxy analysis and handles all common applications. Investigations
into nanomaterials can also be performed with the system: size and shape
of crystalline domains within the material, and structural analysis
of near amorphous materials are all possible. PDF (pair distribution
function), SAXS (small angle X-ray scattering), and even the ability
to monitor the evolution of crystalline phases in situ with the unique
slurry flow cell stage are all possible on the advanced Empyrean
platform. Finally, the internal structure of solid objects can be studied
without having to be cut: the unique PIXcel3D detector can
be used as a CT scanner allowing non-destructive analysis of various
products including food.
PANalytics promote the use of their X-ray analysis systems for heavy
metal determination as well as rapid product and raw material fingerprinting,
adulteration and product tampering.
PANalytical Spectris Australia Pty Ltd
Condell Park, NSW
Tel: (02) 8700 2700
Fax: (02) 8700 2710
Viscosity measurement training
Brookfield offers two courses that provide users of Brookfield instrumentation
with the hands-on knowledge to get the most out of their viscosity test
methods. The training sessions are presented in easy-to-understand terms
that provide the working knowledge to verify and improve upon the data
required for meaningful R&D and successful quality control testing.
The courses are offered at Brookfield’s facility in Middleboro,
Massachusetts, USA, and at major metropolitan areas across the USA.
Remaining sessions in 2010 for the first course, Practice Course
on Viscosity Measurements, will be run on 12 and 19 August and
9 and 15 September and the second course, Applied Course on Viscosity
Test Methods, will be held 16 September. Practice Course on
Viscosity is designed for operators at all levels of experience
while Applied Course on Viscosity Test Methods is designed
for intermediate to advanced operators.
Further information is available at
www.brookfieldengineering.com/services/educational-programs.
The Australian dealer for Brookfield is Thermofisher Scientific (www.thermofishersci.com.au/aushome.asp).
Multi-tasking inline photometry
Endress+Hauser’s
Memograph M CVM40 optical measurement recorder not only provides
continuous measurement of UV absorption, colour, NIR absorption, turbidity
and cell growth, it claims to also record other relevant process values
such as flow, pressure, temperature.
All process measurements are stored internally and on an SD card or
USB stick for easy data exchange and further correlation analysis. This
makes the Memograph M CVM40 suitable for optimising process
control and product yield, as the interactions of various process variables
are made clearly visible. The calculation and table functionality of
the CVM40 further enhances its ability to provide the process
engineer with a range of interpretive information.
Laboratory grab sample requirements are significantly reduced, and
are limited to only those instances when verification or calibrations
are carried out. The patented Easycal system enables easy and traceable
in-line verification and calibration without liquid standards.
The recorder’s high level of functionality is matched with a
high level of data security and features all the technical controls
for compliance with the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 Rule on electronic
records and signatures. The 17.8 cm (7”) TFT large colour display
provides optimum readability which together with the intuitive menu
guidance system ensures easy and safe operation in the most difficult
conditions.
The combination of functionality, traceability, and data analysis
makes the CVM40 suitable for use in a range of applications
in the life science, chemical, food, oil and gas and environmental industries.
Jimmy Britz, Endress+Hauser Australia
Tel: (02) 8877 7000
Email: jimmy.britz@au.endress.com
Web: www.au.endress.com
Titration analysis in one simple step
Graintec
Scientific recently announced the launch of the new AquaMax KF
moisture meter for titration analysis. The AquaMax is claimed
to raise the bar in terms of titration analysis in its most simplest
and convenient form.
“Labs who undertake titration analysis will be pleasantly surprised
at just how much the AquaMax can offer. The instrument is compact
and can be easily positioned on a laboratory bench. It also features
an in-built battery for those who require in-field measurement,”
said Lucas Anstiss, Managing Director of Graintec Scientific.
With the instrument pre-programmed, the analysis is executed with
only “one” button push – everything else is automatic.
The moisture meters have been specifically designed for the determination
of water content. Combining coulometry with the Karl Fischer method,
the AquaMax titrators determine the water content of samples
by measuring the electrolysis current necessary to produce the required
iodine – this is an absolute technique which does not require
the calibration of reagents.
The unit is delivered ready for operation and the glassware pack,
including electrodes, titration vessel, leads, syringe, printer paper,
etc is supplied as standard.
Industry applications include testing and analytical laboratories,
universities, R&D departments, and petrochemical, power (electricity),
automotive, aviation, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
The AquaMax is manufactured in the UK by GR Scientific. GR
Scientific are a family-orientated company with expertise in coulometric
Karl Fischer titration technology. They have been designing and manufacturing
coulometric titrators for 30 years.
Graintec Scientific
Tel: (07) 4638 7677
Email: info@graintec.com.au
Web: www.graintec.com.au.
Gerhardt products in Australia
Perten Instruments (incorporating Newport Scientific), with its range
of testing equipment for the food, feed, grain and flour industries,
has signed an agreement with C. Gerhardt GmbH & Co, Germany. Perten
will now provide applications, sales and service support exclusively
for Gerhardt products in Australia and New Zealand. Perten Instruments
manufactures testing equipment in Australia and Sweden for quality control,
process monitoring and R&D for the grain, flour, food and feed industries.
The Gerhardt range includes extraction software, and distillation, digestion,
heating, shaking and combustion systems as well as fibre analysis.
Gerhardt reference testing equipment is suitable for use in developing
and validating calibrations for the Perten range of laboratory and process
control NIR analysers.
The DUMATHERM from C. Gerhardt provides fast, precise and
cost-efficient combustion analysis of nitrogen according to the Dumas
method. New furnace chamber design, combined with direct analysis of
all resulting gases, provides results in 2–3 minutes.
Operation and control of the DUMATHERM is achieved using
an external PC. Oxygen gas usage is minimised via software control of
the combustion process. Combustion products are rapidly separated to
reduce maintenance requirements and reduce the cost per analysis. The
autosampler sample chambers are also rinsed with helium to ensure atmospheric
gas cannot enter the combustion chamber.
The total amount of nitrogen in the sample is analysed during each
measurement to a detection limit of 0.01 mg N absolute. The DUMATHERM
meets the AOAC standard for protein determination in grain, meat and
meat products, feed and malt, along with nitrogen analysis in soil and
fertilisers.
Perten Instruments On-Line diode array NIR and camera analyser
provide real-time, in process analysis for the grain, flour, food and
feed processing industries. The analyser enables automatic process control,
immediate manual intervention, faster start-up and grade changes and
full traceability of the entire production.
The On-Line analyser is based on the Perten Instruments DA7200
on-bench analyser. Both instruments use the same calibrations and easy-to-use
software, and share many aspects of operation and management. The On-Line
analyser features a rugged vibration resistant design with explosion
proof classifications according to ATEX and IECEx, and is equipped with
an OPC server.
The combination of NIR and colour camera technology enables measurement
of chemical parameters such as protein and starch damage, measurement
of L, a and b values and detection of dark spots in flour, semolina
and other powder products.
Raul Ovelar, Perten Instruments Australia
Tel: (02) 9979 6992
Fax: (02) 9979 6993
Web: www.perten.com
Automation in ion chromatography
Pressure
to increase output while reducing costs requires laboratory automation
wherever possible. Metrohm’s new 815 Robotic Soliprep
claims to meet this demand as it allows complete automate preparation
and analysis of liquid and solid samples in ion chromatography. It provides
maximum flexibility as it can be customised on demand to meet individual
customer’s specific requirements.
The 815 Robotic Soliprep is a state-of-the-art sample processor,
which reliably transfers both liquid and solid samples to an ion chromatograph.
A broad range of working steps such as pulverising, homogenising, extracting,
filtering or diluting can be done by the 815 Robotic Soliprep
and included in the analysis method. Due to the incorporation of in-line
sample preparation into the analysis system, manual intervention is
no longer required during the determination. The sample rack of the
815Robotic Soliprep is equipped with various inserts, sample
beakers, syringe filters and needles and can be customised on demand
to meet individual customer’s specifications. Combined with Metrohm’s
advanced ion chromatographs, the 815 Robotic Soliprep opens
up numerous new applications and application fields. Applications include,
among others, the analysis of ingredients and contaminants in tablets,
animal feed, sediments or food.
Further information is available at www.metrohm.com.
MEP Instruments Pty Ltd
Tel: (02) 9878 6900
Fax: (02) 9878 6999
Packaging testing systems
Since
the beginning of 2010, IDM Instruments have released a number of instruments
to test various parameters of packaging materials.
The Falling Dart Impact Tester covers the determination of the energy
that causes polyethylene film to fail under specified conditions, with
the impact of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in terms
of weight (mass) of the dart falling from a specified height, which
would result in 50% failure of specimens tested.
The instrument is manufactured with reference to international standards
used for flexible films – ASTM D 1709, AS/NZS 4347.6, ISO 7765-1,
JIS K7124 and GB 9639.
As specified in the standard, two test methods are achievable with
the Falling Dart Impact Tester:
- Test Method A: uses a dart with a 38.0 ±
1 mm diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 660 ±
1 mm. This method is generally used for films whose impact resistances
require masses of about 50 g to 2 kg to fracture them.
- Test Method B: uses a dart with a 50.0 ±
1 mm diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 1500 ±
3 mm. This method is generally used for films whose impact resistances
require masses of about 0.3 kg to 2 kg to fracture them.
IDM Instruments, in conjunction with AMCOR Research and Technology,
have also designed and manufactured the F0022 FLEXSEAL®,
an advanced leak detection system designed for monitoring the seal performance
of flexible and semi-rigid packages.
FLEXSEAL® was developed in response to an industry-wide
need for improved quality assurance of packaged food and medical products.
FLEXSEAL® is a useful tool for the manufacturer needing
an airtight package, where protection of the internal product from environmental
elements is necessary to ensure the end user of quality.
The unit provides the user with a valuable visual method of determining
the integrity of the package and seal. The simple process is quick and
easy to monitor the heat-sealing process in production. It allows rapid
detection of failures, enabling early corrective action to be taken.
It has adjustable air pressure and can be programmed for specific products.
The Crease Bend Tester for cardboard and corrugated cardboard produced
by IDM Instruments can be used mainly to monitor scoring equipment to
ensure box performance, by measuring the bending resistance of creased
board at the time of folding at the crease. The maximum force required
to bend the sample board is displayed on the digital display.
The Crease Bend Tester is claimed to be the only one of its kind that
uses a pneumatic sample clamp to hold a 300 mm wide sample in place
while a motorised load bar applies pressure to the sample on the other
side of the crease.
Corrugated converters use the Crease Bend Tester to aid in making
adjustments to improve the quality; thus ensuring the end user will
have boxes that run effectively on their production line.
IDM Instruments
Tel: (03) 9708 6885
Fax: (03) 9708 6770
Web: www.idminstruments.com.au
Vacuum chamber for packaging testing
The
VCC 1010 Vacuum Chamber from BCI Testequip in Belgium provides
an affordable, non-destructive leak detection system for various packaging,
both rigid and flexible. A fully sealed package, with or without modified
atmosphere, preserves the durable quality of products and guarantees
security.
Available in Australia and New Zealand through SI Instruments, the
VCC consists of a transparent chamber with a pressure measuring
system from 200 up to 1000 mBar. The vacuum chamber gives 360º
visibility, and allows visual pinpointing of any leak, as well as being
a convenient size – internal dimensions are 400 x 300 x 220 mm.
The operator friendly digital controller allows test routines to be
pre-programmed and can store data from up to 10 000 tests. Test turn
around time of multiple samples can be as low as 30 seconds.
Steve Doolan, SI Instruments
Tel: (08) 8352 5511
Email: steve@si-instruments.com
Web: http://si-instruments.com
At-line NIR Meat Analyser
NDC
Infrared Engineering (www.ndcinfrared.com) demonstrated its
simple-to-use InfraLab at-line NIR Meat Analyzer at IFFA 2010
in Frankfurt in May. IFFA is a leading trade show for the meat processing
sector. At-line measurement using NDC’s proven NIR (Near Infrared)
technology provides a rapid (less than 10 s) and accurate measurement
of moisture, fat or protein in meat, without the need to send samples
off for time-consuming laboratory analysis.
The unit can be calibrated to standard laboratory methods such as Gravimetric
Oven or Karl Fischer for moisture, Soxhlet (for crude fat), Werner-Schmidt
or Weibull Stoldt (for total fat), NMR (for fat) and Kjeldahl for protein.
This ensures laboratory accuracy without the costs or the need to use
the often hazardous chemicals associated with laboratory methods. In
addition, the grab samples used by the InfraLab are much larger
than those used by many laboratory techniques, making them more representative
of the actual manufacturing process.
Easy to use, and with automated sample detection, the InfraLab
requires no special user skills. As the unit uses NIR reflection,
the InfraLab does not require contact with the product sample.
The sample dish is placed on a turntable; the instrument automatically
recognises that there is a sample and begins the analysis.
Measurement data can be stored in sthe instrument and/or downloaded
to a PC at any time for in-depth analysis by tracking measurement values
product by product over long time periods.
The agent for NDC Infrared Engineering in Australia is NSW-based B-R
Control Pty Ltd (www.brcontrols.com.au).
New waterproof X-ray system
With
IP-69K waterproof construction, the new X-ray inspection system IX-GA-DK
series from Ishida can be used for meat, poultry, seafood and other
food processors requiring wash down construction. With its unique construction,
the new model is able to completely keep water from entering the X-ray
machine and withstanding high-pressure water while it keeps high-inspection
sensitivity. The X-GA-DK model contributes to hygiene management and
food safety at manufacturing sites.
IP-69K rating requires that product in question must be able to withstand
five bursts from a steam jet (80 to 100 bar at 80ºC ± 5ºC
with flow rate of 14 to 16 L/min) held at angles of 0º, 30º,
60º and 90º from a distance of between 100 to 150 mm.
Ishida X-ray systems are available exclusively in Australia and New
Zealand from Heat and Control.
Amber Crowley, Heat and Control
Tel: (07) 3877 6387
Email: info@heatandcontrol.com
Web: heatandcontrol.com
New mozzarella cooker stretcher
GPiCS
is GoldPeg’s (www.goldpeg.com) new innovative and flexible
‘dry’ cooker stretcher for mozzarella. The cooker produces
sensitive natural mozzarella and pasta filata varieties continuously
with no cook water.
The GPiCS is a direct steam injection system that was specifically
developed by GoldPeg, who specialise in direct steam injection cooking
and processing technology, with the support of an Australian Government
grant and extensive testing at CSIRO Australia. The unit is a low pressure,
low shear, direct steam injection continuous cooking system which responds
to the needs of sensitive natural mozzarella and pasta filata specifications.
Its flexibility allows it to produce of a full range of natural mozzarella,
string cheese and pasta filata varieties. The system is also sensitive
to the environmental/effluent pressures on food manufacturers.
GoldPeg claims that their innovative ‘dry’ cooker
stretcher produces high quality natural mozzarella and pasta filata
with identical composition, sensory and functionality to a traditional
wet cooker product.
The GPiCS cooker stretcher will be launched at ITCE, International
Cheese Technology Expo, on 20–22 April 2010 in Wisconsin, USA
(www.cheeseexpo.org).
Detecting antibiotic residues in milk
Arrow
Scientific (www.arrowscientific.com.au) has introduced the
ROSA® (Rapid One Step Assay) platform for dairy testing.
The ROSA platform is based on dedicated ‘litmus like’
strip tests that can be read with a small ROSA reader. Milk
testing for antibiotic residues can be performed in a matter of minutes.
This antibiotic test involves adding the milk to the MRL-3 test strip,
incubating for three minutes and reading the result on the ROSA
reader. The reader stores results electronically for record keeping
and reporting.
For the Australian dairy industry, the ROSA MRL tests provide
the closest match Australian/Codex Maximum Residue Limits.
ROSA tests are promoted as being convenient for farmers,
field personnel, veterinarians, haulers, milk receivers and lab personnel.
Value is added to testing programs with data acquisition software,
bar-coded test strips and RFID/key FOB integration to strengthen data
security and traceability.
In addition to B-lactam, other ROSA test kits that can be
run on the same equipment include tetracyclines, sulphonamides, chloramphenicol,
enrofloxacin, streptomycin and aflatoxin M1 (quantitative).
ROSA has been adopted by global dairy companies such as Fonterra
NZ. In the in-transit testing programs implemented by Fonterra NZ, the
tanker driver draws a composite sample from the tanker after the last
farm pick-up, starts the ROSA MRL test, and drives to the plant.
The in-transit incubator is equipped with an automatic shut-off feature
so the results are stabilised at the end of the incubation time. The
completed test strip is read in seconds at the plant, thereby reducing
turnaround time at milk intake and expediting production of a safe,
wholesome and quality product.
Raw milk screening
FOSS has extended the availability of software functionality that
helps to detect adulterated raw milk.
The software allows MilkoScan™ analysers based on Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology to be programmed to give a warning
of possible abnormalities in raw milk samples. MilkoScan instruments
are already used around the world to check raw milk for payment and
quality assurance purposes.
Raw milk containing abnormalities is a growing international problem.
The abnormalities can be caused by deliberate adulteration, eg with
lard or melamine or by accident, eg if milk from cows and buffalo are
mixed.
Previously, the softw MilkoScanFT 120are functionality was
only available for the FOSS analyser. It is now provided as part of
the Foss Integrator software supporting FOSS dairy analytical solutions.
The ability to program analysers used in routine testing operations
allows users to adopt a screening approach to incoming raw milk samples.
The programmed analyser does not identify specific contaminants, but
helps to identify a suspect raw milk sample quickly and as a normal
part of everyday testing. The suspect sample can then be further analysed
to determine the contaminant.
The system works by monitoring the results of analysis performed using
infrared spectroscopy. Looking at raw milk from a spectroscopic point
of view, natural raw milk has a particular spectrum – a unique
fingerprint. It is possible to program an infrared spectroscopy analyser
to recognise the spectra (or fingerprint) representing normal milk.
A warning is then given when samples do not match the fingerprint.
“The screening approach is a powerful tool in tackling milk
adulteration, whether this occurs by accident or on purpose. With this
screening option, quality assurance people can quickly check for many
different types of adulteration and with no extra time or cost per routine
test,” said FOSS dairy market manager Dorthe Bisgaard.
Measuring product volume
The
Volscan Profiler from Arrow Scientific (www.arrowscientific.com.au)
is a benchtop, laser-based instrument which allows manufacturers to
measure the volume of a product. This provides information relating
to the inherent qualities of the product, which in turn affects consumer
perception of the finished product.
For example, insufficient loaf volume at the test stage indicates
either very weak or very strong flour, or an imbalance of enzyme activity.
Higher volume tends to be associated with more aerated crumb and superior
texture and consumers believe they are getting more for their money.
This information is then used to modify the dough mix, so that the
final product can be properly handled by automatic slicing machines,
and packed into standard-sized bags. The Volscan Profiler claims
to speed up this process, so that the optimum dough mix can be achieved
rapidly and efficiently.
Previous methods to calculate dough volume include seed displacement,
in which the amount of rape seed or pearl barley packed around the loaf
in a standard container is measured. This method is time consuming and
unreliable due to seed clumping, moisture absorption and potential crushing
of the product.
The Volscan Prolifer, however, provides a non-contact method,
the results of which can be obtained rapidly and accurately.
The test sample is easily located at each end onto the mounting device.
The item is then weighed and an eye-safe laser device scans vertically
to measure its contours at selectable intervals whilst it rotates. This
assessment can take from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending upon
the chosen interval and the preferred precision.
Upon completion, the following measurements can be quickly determined:
bread volume, length, maximum width, maximum height, height of the maximum
width and width of the maximum height.
These numbers are then further manipulated to automatically calculate
and display the volume yield of the bread based on the weight of the
flour used (volume/100 g flour). All measurement data is saved in spreadsheet
files for easy access and analysis. The scanned data can be viewed in
both 2D and 3D representations to allow comparisons with previous archived
measurements.
Flowmeter for in-line viscosity measurement
In
many process industries, the accurate measurement of viscosity is crucial
to the quality of the product. Measuring viscosity directly in the process
provides the real-time process conditions. This method eliminates the
costly process delays typically associated with transferring samples
to the lab. Endress+Hauser’s second generation of the Promass
I Coriolis flowmeter, delivers in-line viscosity measurement as
well as improved specifications of mass flow, density and temperature
measurements.
Dual-mode and modified Torsion Mode Balance (TMB) are both significant
enhancements to the application of the Coriolis principle which are
key to the higher functionality and accuracy of the Promass I.
The flowmeter’s patented TMB counterbalance system improves the
specifications for both mass flow and zero point stability. Its robust
design and fully balanced system ensure that it is not influenced by
plant vibration and temperature shocks; maintaining an accuracy of 0.1%
even during CIP/SIP cleaning periods.
The dual-mode makes the new Promass I the first commercial
Coriolis mass flowmeter to use two simultaneous resonant frequencies
of 600–700 Hz for mass flow and 900 Hz for viscosity measurement.
This specifically eliminates the adverse effects of air entrainment
on the viscosity measurement, providing higher accuracy and increasing
the range of reliable applications.
The meter’s design complies with industry specific requirements.
For example, IEC Ex approvals for explosion hazard areas, or compliance
with the hygienic standards of 3A, EHEDG and FDA, which make it suitable
for healthcare, food and beverage applications. The integrated software
package provides users with derived measurements such as Brix, fat content,
suspended solids, Baume, degrees Plato and percentage of alcohol.
By providing precise and reliable real-time viscosity measurements
the new Promass I enables process quality improvements and
cost efficiencies, whilst the improved specifications of mass flow,
density and temperature measurements set new performance benchmarks
for the Coriolis principle.
Endress+Hauser Australia
Tel: (02) 8877 7000
Fax: (02) 8877 7099
Web: www.au.endress.com
TurbiCheck white light turbidity meter
New from Lovibond is the TurbiCheck WL White Light
Turbidity Meter!
The TurbiCheck WL allows easy turbidity measurement in either
the field or laboratory. Using a white light source and 90° detection,
the TurbiCheck WL meets the specifications for EPA turbidity
measurement (US EPA Standard 180.1).
A power efficient micro-circuit design allows the instrument to yield
5000 tests on 4-AA alkaline batteries with an estimated 7–10 year
bulb life. The instrument features Auto-Ranging, automatically selecting
the correct turbidity range for your sample.
Calibration is simple with the included calibration standards. The
instrument comes with all required items for testing including the TurbiCheck
WL turbidity meter, sample cuvettes, batteries, calibration standards,
manual and carrying case.
TurbiCheck
WL highlights
Features of the TurbiCheck WL are:
- Ideal for regulatory monitoring, process control or field use
- Simple operation
- Easy calibration
- Auto-Ranging
- Meets USEPA
TurbiCheck WL specifications
The specifications are:
- Range: 0.01–1100 NTU
- Accuracy: ± 2% Full Scale or 0.01 NTU (0–500 NTU)
± 3% Full Scale (500–1100 NTU)
- Resolution: 0.01 NTU to 100.0 NTU
0.1 NTU from 100.0 to 999.9 NTU
1.0 NTU from 1000 to 1100 NTU
The Australian distributor is:
Labtek Pty Ltd
PO Box 5316 Brendale, QLD 4500
Tel: 1300 881 318
Fax: 1300 881 513
Email: sales@labtek.com.au
Web: www.labtek.com.au
New freezer proof RFID tags
Peacock
Bros. (www.peacocks.com.au) now supply UPM Raflatac freezer
proof RFID tags designed to operate reliably within freezer environments
down to –40°C.
The Dogbone RFID tag design offers up to 240-bit of EPC memory and
an additional 64-bit locked tag identifier code and 32-bit serial number.
It has a printable white synthetic face that can be printed over with
an RFID thermal transfer label printer for encrypting and printing of
user readable information.
The tags can be read through a covering of frost, humid air and wet
surfaces such as packaging and ice and complies with all of the GS1
EPC Global standards. This latest RFID tag from UPM Raflatac has already
been trialled overseas within frozen goods distribution centres.
The RFID tags can be placed on pallets, cartons and even product packaging
and does not require “line-of-sight” to be read. If RFID
readers are installed onto the forklifts, then the entire process of
receiving, dispatching and storing of frozen goods can be automated.
This system eliminates data errors from manual input, provides a platform
for instant real-time locating of products and product movement information
and reduces labour costs.
Thermal mass flow meter for carbon dioxide applications
The
ST75 Flow Meter from Fluid Components International (FCI) claims
to deliver precise direct mass flow measurement of gases in an easy
to install insertion style instrument that requires almost no maintenance
over a long life.
It is suitable for the measurement of CO2 in a variety of industrial
applications including the bottling of beverages such as soda drinks,
beer and sparkling wine.
The ST75 Flow Meter is designed for demanding process industry
plant environments. The meter is designed for line sizes from 6 to 51mm
and provides three unique outputs: the mass flow rate, totalised flow
and media temperature.
With accuracy to ±1% of reading and ±0.5% repeatability,
the ST75 meter’s design includes media temperature compensation
to ensure performance under variable process and plant temperature conditions.
Its precision flow element has a no-moving parts design that employs
platinum RTD sensors embedded in equal mass thermowells with microprocessor
electronics that can be calibrated to laboratory standards for CO2 as
well as many other gases.
The ST75 Flow Meter operates over a wide flow range, from
0.01 to 950 NCMH depending on line size, which makes it equally well
suited for low flow and high flow applications. For variable process
conditions, the ST75 is factory preset to a wide turndown range at 10:1
to 100:1.
Developed with FCI’s thermal dispersion technology, the ST75
provides direct-flow measurement for more accurate performance at a
lower cost by eliminating the need for temperature sensors, flow computers,
or other devices that are required with orifice plates, Venturis, Vortex
shedding and other meters. Its no-moving parts feature is designed to
ensure superior service life. There are no orifices or inlets to clog
or foul, which significantly reduces scheduled maintenance and unplanned
shut-downs.
The ST75 Flow Meter’s standard outputs are fully scaleable
4–20mA and 0–10V. They are user assignable to flow rate
and/or temperature and a 0–1kHz pulse output of total flow. The
instrument can be ordered for input power with either 18 to 36 Vdc or
85 to 265 Vac, with or without a built-in LCD digital display.
The ST75 is enclosed in a rugged, all-metal, dust and water
resistant NEMA Type 4X (IP66) rated package designed for hazardous area
installations.
AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd
Tel: (03) 9017 8225
Email: sales@ams-ic.com.au
Web: www.ams-ic.com.au
|