Detectamet Tags Protect Critical Data from Shock Destruction

YORK, U.K. - Dec. 1, 2015 - PRLog -- What makes food producers go hot and cold with worry? Was this production batch cooked for long enough? Was that batch frozen quickly enough?  Precise data linked to specific batches of food is an essential safeguard and batch identity systems have to be reliable.

How do you identify and trace food batches passing through your process?  Many companies use simple but effective batch tags. Take one off the roll, create and record the batch identity and attach it to the tray, trolley or basket.

As the batch is processed the tag shows an identity to be linked to the data and to the critical events unique to its processing journey. If that identity is lost or destroyed the batch cannot be linked to the data. The batch is as good as destroyed. If the quality or safety is compromised then the whole days output may be implicated.  At the very least a batch that has no ID tag because it lost or damaged begs the question “Is it safe to pack and send out? “

Detectamet’s new tough batch traceability tags are metal detectable and heat shock resistant so they can cope with extreme temperatures from -25°C to 250°C (-13 to 482°F). Food batches passing through dry heat ovens or steam processes can now be pre-tagged and will still be identifiable when the cooking process is completed. Furthermore if the hot tag moves immediately with the batch into a blast freeze process the tag will still survive and still enable traceability.

“Customers around the world have asked for detectable tags that will survive in a hot/cold processing environment.” Detectamet’s MD James Chrismas told us. “These new traceable batch tags will survive an extreme thermal shock through a range of 275°Celsius or 495°Fahrenheit.”

“Four layers of material are laminated for strength and metal detectability “James said “and it can be identified and rejected by standard end of line metal detection systems.”

The new tags have the traditional shape that loops through a keyhole cut-out, and are resistant to tearing in the hurley-burley of a food processing environment.

The pre-printed area is to record product ID, date/time, batch code, and use by dates. Two extra lines can be used for job specific data, and the reverse offers over 100mm (4”) of usable space for further records. Detectamet Permanent Fine Marker Pens are ideal for writing on the tags being food safe and detectable.

These tags can be supplied in yellow or blue as standard, with other colours available when ordered in sufficient quantities.  Tailor made graphics can also be ordered, and size variations are available to suit customers’ specific needs subject to minimum order quantities.

The new keyhole tags measure 48mm x 279mm (approximately 2” x 11”) and fit easily into Detectamet's unique stainless steel tag dispensers improving efficiency, food safety and product quality management.  For more information contact s.smith at detectamet.com.