New Tools in the Fight for Food Safety

ABI, Inc

The DataMan QL from Cognex Inc. features 1DMax, the new standard for 1D bar code reading, with outstanding performance on difficult-to-read codes.

Lewis explained that DataMan ID readers read bar codes to help food processors and packagers meet these requirements and implement traceability for product safety and quality control.

“This not only helps first isolate the source and extent of safety or quality control problems, but also minimizes production and distribution of unsafe or poor-quality products, reducing the potential for bad publicity, liability, and recalls,” he said. “The better and more precise the tracing system, the faster a producer can identify and resolve product safety or quality problems.”

Using DataMan ID readers, a manufacturer may uniquely code each lot or batch to identify time and location of production and make recalls more efficient and less costly. This can benefit manufacturers that operate in an intensely competitive retail structure with narrow profit margins, such as the food industry, where reducing these costs can be the difference between profit and loss.

The DataMan QL features 1DMax, the new standard for 1D bar code reading, with outstanding performance on difficult-to-read codes. The system supports linear and stacked bar codes and includes an easy-to-use setup tool. Upgradeable software is available to enable 2D code reading.

DataMan 100 readers feature a super high-density lens option. DataMan 200 readers have an optional variable focus and liquid lens technology. Autofocus is achieved with a single software command; there is no need to manually adjust the focus on the line.

Another product from Cognex, In-Sight vision systems, helps to reduce scrap and re-work, which ultimately saves time and money by inspecting products throughout the manufacturing process. The systems are widely used with material-handling equipment and robots for alignment and pick-and-place guidance during assembly and inspection. The In-Sight can identify parts using bar codes, with alphanumeric characters, or by shape and color.

The systems are available with standard resolution, high resolution, ID readers, or ExtractColor software. Standard with the 5000 Series are industrial-grade features and performance, and the system can be used for single-point inspection tasks or for building an entire factory-wide network of vision systems.

ABI, Inc

MOCON’s GreenLight 910 yields precise, quantifiable results, quickly detecting oxygen depletion caused by aerobic bacteria.

Lewis explained the significance of these products to food safety: “Packaged foods are required to list common food allergens, such as milk, eggs, and peanuts, that are in the product or may have come in contact with the product. Foods such as produce, meats, and fish also must be labeled with the country of origin.

“Just like DataMan ID readers, Cognex In-Sight vision systems can read bar codes,” Lewis said.

“However, they can also be quickly trained to identify label graphics, recognize letters and numbers, and perform other inspections to eliminate mislabeling, which is a predominant cause of FDA recalls today. Before a label is applied or a package filled, suppliers of labels and direct-print food-contact materials such as cartonboard and plastic films can set up inspections to eliminate label and package printing errors at the source. Then packagers can inspect after labeling or filling to detect packaging mix-ups that may result in missing allergen declarations and inaccurate ingredient listings.

“In addition to aiding with package integrity and supply chain security, vision systems can also be implemented on the processing side to reduce scrap [and] improve productivity and quality control, as well as enhance brand image. For example, vision systems can sort food by color or shape, detect defects, verify proper placement of food in multi-compartment packaging, detect fill levels, count, and provide guidance for robotic pick and place or palletizing operations to achieve improved manufacturing and packaging flexibility,” commented Lewis.