At Integra, we’re all about empowering you to create the perfect balance—which is why we offer our Integra Boost® packs in an array of sizes and at two distinct relative-humidity levels. Below, we break down all you need to know about the different options available in the Integra Boost® line so you can choose the one that’s best for your needs. Read on for our top tips.
What are Integra Boost® packs? Integra Boost® packs are two-way humidity control packs that regulate humidity (RH) levels in an enclosed environment. Each pack expertly adapts to the air around it—either releasing or absorbing moisture as needed to create the perfect environment for herbal medicine, cigars, and pantry items.
What are Integra Boost® packs used for? Our two-way humidity control technology are used to both Boost® humidity levels in air that’s too arid and absorb humidity in places where excess moisture is a problem. Whether you’re in a desert and hoping to keep your herbal medicine from drying out prematurely, or want to keep mold, mildew, and rot at bay—Integra Boost®offers a smart, simple, salt-free solution for creating balance and preserving product integrity.
What’s in an Integra Boost® pack? At the core of Integra is our commitment to clean. Integra Boost® packs are a mix of glycerin and water in white kraft paper printed with food-grade inks. Our packs are FDA-approved and completely safe to touch your herbal medicine, cigars, and pantry items. They are free of corrosive salts. Most importantly, they will never alter the taste, smell, or aroma of your product.
How do I use an Integra Boost® pack? Integra Boost® packs are simple to use. Simply place a Boost® pack (and the included Replacement Indicator Card) with the contents to be preserved in an enclosed container. The pack will take it from there—releasing or absorbing moisture as needed until the humidity in the enclosed container reaches either 55% or 62% RH (depending on which pack you opted for—more on this below!).
The pack will continue to work day in and day out—adjusting humidity levels as needed (i.e. if the container is opened and closed) to keep the environment at that Goldilocks level of either 55% or 62% RH. The dot on the included Replacement Indicator Card will turn blue when it’s time to replace your pack with a fresh one. It’s that simple.
How do I know which size Integra Boost® pack to buy? Integra Boost® packs come in an array of sizes—below we breakdown our different sizing options and the amount of product each can preserve.
How do I know which relative humidity (RH) level to buy? The difference between the 55% RH and 62%RH are the humidity levels. 55% adds less moisture and 62% allows for more moisture. Some consumers have favored a slightly drier environment, with an RH as low as 55%. It all depends on your personal preferences and how long you intend to hold onto a given plant. They are both safe levels because they are both within the “ideal range”.
3rd party lab comparison of Integra Boost(tm) 62% RH and BOVEDA 62% RH 2 way control humectant
For product information please visit www.desiccarecanada.com
Report from January 26, 2017
Bonner Analytical Testing Company was retained by Desiccare Inc. to evaluate off gassing characteristics of their product Integra Boost 62% RH and a competitors product BOVEDA 62% RH 2 Way Control Humectant. The experiments were conducted January 25, 2017.
Experimental: One Boveda 62% RH sachet and one Integra Boost 62% RH sachet was removed from its clear packaging and placed in separate five liter foil faced gas sampling bag equipped with a septum sampling port. The bags were then sealed. A third Control bag was treated in a similar manner
Two hundred milliliters of outside air was introduced to each bag.
The bags were allowed to sit at room temperature for 6 hours prior to analysis.
The analytical procedure involved removing an aliquant of air (5.0cc) from each of the bags, and injecting the samples into a gas chromatograph equipped with an Ocean Instruments Eclipse purge and trap introductory system connected to an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph with an Agilent 5973 mass selective detector.
The method quantitation limit (MQL) was estimated to be 1.0 ug/l.
Bonner Analytical Testing Co. 2703 Oak Grove Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 Phone No.: 601-264-9965 Fax No.: 601-268-7084 www.batco.com
Conclusion: Boveda 62% RH 2-Way Humidity Control Humectant produces a significant amount of Acetone as a byproduct compared to Integra Boost 62% RH; which was Non-Detect (<1.0ug/l). Additionally, the Boveda product continued to off gas giving a concentration of 13.11 ug/l at 18 hours.
ASTM D-5032-11 Standard Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
(Article Supporting Integra Boost(tm) technology for Relative Humidity 2-way control)
1. Scope
This practice describes a method for obtaining constant relative humidity ranging from 30 to 98 % at temperatures ranging from O to 70°C in relatively small containers by means of an aqueous glycerin solution.
l.2 This practice is applicable for closed systems such as environmental conditioning containers.
1.3 This practice is not recommended for the generation of continuous (flowing) streams of constant humidity unless precautionary criteria are followed to ensure source stability.
1.4 This standard does not pwport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro priate safety and health practices and determine the applica bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
ASTMStandards:2
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing D4023 Terminology Relating to Humidity Measuremcnts3
D6054 Practice for Conditioning Electrical Insulating Ma- terials for Testing
EI04 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
hy Means of Aqueous Solutions
2.2 Other Documents:
DIN50008 Constant Climates over Aqueous Solutions4 Part I: Saturated Salt and Glycerol Solutions
Pait 2: Sulfuric Acid Solutions (1981)
‘ This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee 009 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
1)09.12 on Electrical Tests.
Current edition approved Aug. I, 2011. Published Seplember 2011. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5032 -97(2003). DOI: IO.l520/D5032-II.
2 For referenced ASTM standards. visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org. For A111111al Book of ASTM S1a11dards volume information. refer lo the standard Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3 Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on W\.Vw.asun.org.
4 Available f m De111sc/1es h1s1i1111 f11rNorm1111g,4-10 811rggre11ze11strassePostfac/1 1107, D-1000 Berlin, Germany. Also available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY I0036..
3. Summary of Practice
J Controlled relative humidity environment<, are gener ated using mixtures of glycerin and water.
3.2 Practice El04 contains methods for maintaining con stant relative humidity environments using aqueous saturated salt solutions or various strength sulfuric acid-water systems.
4. Significance and Use
Controlled relative humidity environments are impor tant for conditioning materials for shelf-life studies or for investigating the change in physical or dielect1ic properties after exposure.
The use of aqueous-glycerin solutions reduces the pos sibility of contamination of the materials or corrosion of electrode systems which would be more likely to result from saturated salt or acid water solutions.
Applicable material specifications should state the ex posure conditions, including time, temperature and relative humidity that a mate1ial should be subjected to before subse quent testing. Typical conditions are given in Practice D6l8 or D6054.
5. Apparatus
Container, airtight, of a material not acted upon by copper sulfate (or with the glyce1in solution contained in a tray made of a material not acted upon by copper sulfate).
Refract meter, covering the range of 1.33 to 1.47 (sodium) with an accuracy of 0.0003.
6. Glycerin Solution
Use a good industrial grade of glycerin (“high gravity” and “dynamite” grades have been found to be satisfactory) in distilled water. Calculate tlie concentration in terms of the refractive index, (R), at 25°C for the desired relative humidity at any temperature between 0 and 70°C as follows:
I
R =(Y(l00+ A)2+A2-(H+A)2-A)715.3+ 1.3333
(I)
where:
T temperature of the solution, °C,
A = 25.60-0.1950T+0.0008T2, and
H = relative humidity, percent.
This will give the desired relative humidity with an accuracy of ±0.2 % ata constant temperature of 25°C. At other constant temperatures, the error, if any, may increase with the deviation of the temperature from 25°C. The relative humidity values at 0, 25, 50 and 70°C for a number of refractive index values are given in Table I. Obtain the refractive index for intermediate values of relative humidity and temperature by plotting curves from the values in the table or by calculating from the above formula.
To prevent fungus growth in the solution, add about
0.1 % by weight of copper sulfate to the glycerin solution. The most convenient way of measuring the copper sulfate is to prepare a saturated solution in water and add four drops of the saturated solution per 100 mL of the glycerin solution. Use a container. or tray holding the glycerin solution, made of a material that will not react with the copper in the copper sulfate. If the copper is removed, fungus growth can occur, which will cause lowering of the humidity value of the glycerin solution.
Loss of water through evaporation when the container is opened can reduce the humidity value of the solution. The rate of loss with the container open is quite low and is negligible for the normal time the container would be opened for loading and unloading (Note 1).
NOTE 1-A solution adjusted to produce a 96 % relative humidity atmosphere at 25°C in an open container. in a still atmosphere of 50 % relative humidity at 25°C, will lose water at the rate of approximately 0.01 mL/h/in.2 of solution surface area. This rate will reduce the relative humidity valueof a 96 % solution having a depth of I in. by 0.5 % relative humidity in 26 h.
Loss of water by absorption by the material being conditioned, can reduce the humidity value of the solution. Proper precaution must be taken to prevent the reduction of humidity by a material being conditioned that will absorb a large amount of water. If it is estimated that the reduction in humidity will be greater than desired, one or both of the following options must be done: Reduce the loading below that suggested in 7.5 or increase the depth of the solution.
NOTE 2-For example, a loss of 0.26 mL water/in.3 of a glyceria-water solution adjusted to produce a 96 % relative humidity at 25°C will reduce the humidity by 0.5 % relative humidity.
7.I. 1 Make the container small so that the temperature throughout the container will be the same as that of the solution. Keep the volume of the air space per unit area of surface of solution low. Ten cubic inches or less per in.2 of solution surface is advisable unless a larger volume is neces sary because of the device to be conditioned.
7. l.2 Although an airtight container is recommended, it is desirable to have a vent under certain conditions of test or with some kinds of containers. (Changes in pressure may produce undesirable cracks in some types of containers.) Make the vent as small as practical as there will be a continual loss of vapor through the vent. Check the concentration of the solution periodically and adjust if necessary in this case.
7.1.3 Make the swface creepage distance between the solution and the material being conditioned long enough to prevent the solution from creeping on to the material being conditioned.
7.2 Temperature Fluctuations:
Avoid temperature fluctuations. Best results are ob tained in a controlled temperature room where the average temperature is constant and the fluctuations are of relatively short duration. Cover the container to shield from drafts. Drafts may cause temperature differences inside the container. Chang ing ambient temperature causes a temperature difference be tween that of the solution and the air above it. As a rule. changes in the solution temperature lag behind that of the air in the container. This results in a low humidity with rising temperature and a high humidity with falling temperature.
If a controlled temperature room is not available. place the container in a location having the mi:1imum change in temperature and thermally insulating the container with a minimum of I in. of glass wool, or the equivalent. Reducing the volume of air space in the container per unit area of solution surface will also reduce the effect of changing tem perature.
A glass desiccator covered with a corrugated paper box will stand shor1 time (30 min or less) fluctuations of temperature of ± I°C without changing the relative humidity over :!::0.1 %. Where larger fluctuations or long time fluctua tions are encountered, thermally insulate the container. It is estimated that a thermally insulated container will withstand fluctuations of temperature of ±3°C without changing the relative humidity over ±0.1 %.
A thick aluminum cover or base plate, or both, on the container will also effectively dampen temperature fluctua tions.
Temperature Above Room Temperature-Operating at temperatures above room temperatw·e is not as satisfactory as operating at room temperature, because of the greater possi bility of the air in the container not being equivalent to the solution temperature and not being the equivalent throughout the container. However, with proper care, humidities at tem peratures above room temperature are attainable by heating the container in an oven. Thermally insulate the container as described in 7.2 and adjust the oven air circulation so as to have as nearly uniform temperature throughout the container as possible. Load the container while at room temperature.
Norr 3-For example, with a solution for a relative humidity of 96 %, a spot having a temperature 0.3°C higher than that of the solution would have a relative humidity or 94 %. while that having a temperature 0.3°C lower would have a relative humidity of 98 %.
Temperatures Below Room Temperature–Operating at temperatures below room temperature is not as satisfactory as operating at room temperature, because of the greater possi bility of the air in the container not being equivalent to the solution temperature and not being the equivalent throughout the container. However, with proper care, humidities at tem peratures below room temperature are attainable by cooling the container in a chamber. Thermally insulate the container as described in 7.2 and adjust the chamber air circulation so as to have as nearly uniform temperature throughout the container as possible. Load the container by reducing the temperature of the container below the conditioning temperature before loading.
Loading-Do not overload the container as this will decrease the rate of rise of the humidity in the container to such an extent that an unreasonably long time is required for the humidity to reach a steady state. The limit of loading cannot very well be specified as this depends upon the amount of moisture the material will absorb and this will differ by material. As a general rule, make the overall area of the material less than the surface area of the solution.
Opening of the Chamber During Test-Avoid opening the chamber dming a test since the rate of establishing equilibrium after reclosing the chamber is not known. Equilib rium in the chamber depends on the ratio of chamber volume to solution surface area, type of material in the chamber, amount of matetial in the chamber and temperature difference between the solution and the chamber atmosphere.
Discover hidden profit in your rejected product flow
Did you know that every time your metal detector rejects a contaminant, good product is eliminated as well? How much product goes into the trash depends on your equipment. Certainly, some rejected product is an essential cost of protecting your brand and customers. But the right equipment can significantly minimize the amount of rejected product and thereby reduce the daily costs of keeping your food supply safe.
What do you need to know as you consider metal detection equipment?
THE MISCONCEPTIONS
A magnet will catch all types of metal. True or false?
With food quality becoming a higher priority among consumers and government regulators, the presence of food contaminants can destroy trust in a brand. News of contamination spreads faster today than ever before. You may think you are protecting your food by using a magnet, but magnets have limitations. A magnet can catch ferrous steel, but it will not find stainless steel or other metal items commonly detected in food, such as a piece of aluminum can, foil from a bottle wrapper, or brass or gold wedding rings. A metal detector can catch all metal. (The correct answer above is false.)
Let’s consider the example of a grain mill that uses a magnet, but not a metal detector. The magnet can catch a piece of metal that breaks off of the ferrous mill and falls into the product. What the magnet won’t catch is a stainless-steel sliver that falls into the product from a conveyor chain.
All metal detectors have the same capabilities. True or false?
The concept of how metal detectors work has not changed significantly in the past 25 years. But that is not the whole story. Significant changes with periphery electronics and technology now allow metal detection equipment to function more efficiently. The electronics improve deciphering of information and the analytics improve the equipment’s decision-making capability. Therefore, some brands and models of metal detectors run more efficiently than others, reducing your daily costs of keeping your brand and customers safe. (The correct answer above is false.)
One area where metal detection technology has advanced is “gate open time.” When metal is detected, a gate opens and the piece of metal is expelled — along with a certain amount of perfectly good product. The gate remains open for a defined period of time, normally seconds, but this is where the new technology can help. Reducing the gate open time will minimize the amount of rejected product.
What if you could reduce the gate open time from seconds to milliseconds?
CONTROLLING THE OPEN GATE TIME
A powerful pneumatic drive is a new technology being used to control the open time of the reject gate. In addition, positive speed control assures the gate activates at a precise time and only stays open for milliseconds instead of seconds.
In the chart below, you can see how having the shorter open time minimizes the amount of product lost. As an example, the highlighted boxes show the amount of product rejected (pounds) when the product flow rate is 50,000 pounds per hour. If the reject gate opens for 1 second, you lose over 19 pounds of product every time metal is detected. If the reject gate opens for 3 seconds, you lose over 57 pounds of good product. At a flow rate of 50,000 pounds per hour, you can save 38 pounds of good product from being rejected by reducing the gate open time from 3 seconds to 1 second. As the gate opens many times over the course of a day, you can imagine how the amount of saved product adds up.
AMOUNT OF REJECTED GOOD PRODUCT PER METAL DETECTION EVENT
FLOW RATE (pounds/hour)
GATE OPEN TIME (seconds)
.5
1.0
3.0
5.0
5,000
0.7
1.4
4.2
6.9
50,000
9.7
19.2
57.9
96.4
100,000
267.9
535.8
1,607.5
2,679.2
How can you determine the value of minimizing the open gate time for your product?
With a few key pieces of information, you can compare the value of “open gate” time differences for various equipment brands and models. You will want to know your product flow rate (pounds per hour), the number of seconds the gate remains open, profit per pound of the product, average number of metal detection occurrences per day, number of operating days per year, and expected lifetime of the equipment.
ADVANCED PRODUCT LEARNING REDUCES FALSE REJECTS
Advanced technology can also minimize waste of good product by reducing your false rejects. This occurs by way of improved product learning.
Why is it important for the detector to learn your product? Each product has its own product effect, meaning unique properties that can cause the detector to signal the presence of metal when in fact none is present. Moisture, temperature, and chemical makeup are a few examples of properties that can alter the metal detector’s recognition of your product. If the detector does not recognize normal variances in your product, too much good material can be rejected. This is also known as a “false trip.” With every false trip, good product is lost.
All detectors have some degree of product learning. But this is another area where technology has advanced, and product learning will vary among equipment. If you have a product that gives false
readings of metal — meat products such as poultry or beef or product with a high salt or moisture content — it can be wise to invest in equipment with advanced technology for learning.
THE BEST METAL DETECTION SOLUTION FOR YOU
The best metal detector solution for you will vary based on a number of factors. The decision will be different for each situation and will depend on factors such as: product composition, environmental factors, targeted contaminants, flow rate, the amount of space you have (tight space is a common issue) and more.
As you consider the cost of metal detection, the equipment itself is a one-time fixed cost. The amount of good rejected product is an ongoing variable cost you will want to minimize since it will impact your profitability for the lifetime of the equipment.
In the metal detection industry it is very common for customers to request a site visit from a metal detection supplier to assess the whole picture of your production environment. After that, the supplier can provide a demonstration of the right type of metal detector — whether that is a flow-through gravity style, pneumatic, or tunnel style mounted on a conveyor, to keep your brand and your customers safe, at the lowest cost to you. ●
Rod Henricks is the Director of U.S. Sales for Bunting Magnetics Co.
EFFICACY OF PHOTO CATALYTIC OXIDATION CELL AND OZONE AT REDUCING MICROBIAL POPULATIONS ON STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES
Executive Summary Kansas State University Testing Biological Reduction through Photocatalysis and Ozone
Summary: Testing has been performed at the Kansas State Food Science Institute in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University in Manhattan Kansas under the direction of Dr. James Marsden, Regent’s Distinguished Professor of Meat Science. Kansas State is of America’s foremost Universities for animal science and Dr. Marsden is known around the world as one of the top researchers and experts in food safety. Ten of the most deadly forms of mold, fungi, bacteria and virus were subjected to a new and innovative Photocatalytic Reactor. These nine organisms were placed on a piece of stainless steel inside a test chamber and the PCO cell was turned on for 24 hours. Test results showed a 24-hour reduction ranging from 96.4% to 99.9%. This testing validates the effectiveness and speed which this PCO cell is able to treat the indoor environment using a natural process at safe levels of oxidation.
Discussion: With most indoor airborne contaminants originating on surfaces, any efforts to control biological contamination in the indoor environment must address surfaces. Microorganisms such as Mold, Bacteria and Viruses thrive on surfaces in the presence of moisture, and for this reason the food industry has focused on controlling and eliminating pathogens in food contact areas. Dr. Marsden has dedicated his life to improving food safety through understanding and controlling the spread of biological contamination. Marsden’s research has recently focused on the use of advanced Photocatalysis, a technology which develops oxidizers which actively reduce airborne and surface pathogens. Nine microorganisms were chosen for analysis. Three samples of each microorganism were prepared and placed on a stainless steel surface, allowing analysis at 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours of exposure. The test organisms included:
These organisms were subjected to air which was circulating through a proprietary photo catalytic reactor. Multiple parameters were monitored including temperature and humidity. The UV Lamp in the photo catalytic cell was positioned in the supply duct to insure there was no effect from the UVGI produced by the lamp. Understanding that Ozone is one of the oxidizers produced in this Photocatalytic process and the health concerns from exposure to excessive levels of ozone, the ozone level was monitored and never exceeded 20 parts per billion, well below EPA maximum level for continuous exposure. In addition to the test chamber treated with PCO and the corona discharge ozone generator, a control chamber was set up to account for natural decay of the test organisms. Because some biological pathogens die-off on their own when exposed to air, any reputable study must account for such reductions. The test results shown in the report are the reductions in viable organisms with respect to the control sample. The test results were astounding. After 24 hours of exposure the nine organism’s viability was reduced between 96.4% and 99.9%. It should be noted that the double blind study accounted for natural decay. What was even more surprising to the researchers was how fast PCO reduced the pathogens. At the 2-hour sample the average reduction was well over 80%. At the 6-hour sample the average reduction was well over 90%. An additional test was performed using a corona discharge ozone generator (Breeze AT) against Candida albicans (yeast) and Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) at 50 parts per billion (the level deemed safe by the US EPA, OSHA and other international health & safety organizations). This test showed the ability of safe levels of ozone to reduce microbial contamination. It should be noted that although results showed the effectiveness of this safe level of ozone, it also showed that ozone alone is not as effective as the multiple oxidizers produced by the advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation device. One of the multiple oxidizers the PCO cell produces is ozone but at an ozone level two to five times lower than using ozone alone. This test report has been peer reviewed and was published in the Journal of Rapid Methods & Automation in Microbiology 15 (2007) 359–368.
Executive Summary
Kansas State University Testing
Biological Reduction through Photocatalysis and Ozone
Summary:
Testing has been performed at the Kansas State Food Science Institute in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry, Kansas State University in Manhattan
Kansas under the direction of Dr. James Marsden, Regent’s Distinguished Professor of Meat Science. Kansas State is of America’s foremost Universities for animal science and Dr. Marsden is known around the world as one of the top researchers and experts in food safety. Ten of the most deadly forms of mold, fungi, bacteria and virus were subjected to a new and innovative Photocatalytic Reactor. These nine organisms were placed on a piece of stainless steel inside a test chamber and the PCO cell was turned on for 24 hours. Test results showed a 24-hour reduction ranging from 96.4% to 99.9%. This testing validates the effectiveness and speed which this PCO cell is able to treat the indoor environment using a natural process at safe levels of oxidation.
Discussion:
With most indoor airborne contaminants originating on surfaces, any efforts to control biological contamination in the indoor environment must address surfaces.
Microorganisms such as Mold, Bacteria and Viruses thrive on surfaces in the presence of moisture, and for this reason the food industry has focused on controlling and eliminating pathogens in food contact areas. Dr. Marsden has dedicated his life to improving food safety through understanding and controlling the spread of biological contamination. Marsden’s research has recently focused on the use of advanced Photocatalysis, a technology which develops oxidizers which actively reduce airborne and surface pathogens. Nine microorganisms were chosen for analysis. Three samples of each microorganism were prepared and placed on a stainless steel surface, allowing analysis at 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours of exposure. The test organisms included:
These organisms were subjected to air which was circulating through a proprietary photo catalytic reactor. Multiple parameters were monitored including temperature and humidity. The UV Lamp in the photo catalytic cell was positioned in the supply duct to insure there was no effect from the UVGI produced by the lamp. Understanding that Ozone is one of the oxidizers produced in this Photocatalytic process and the health concerns from exposure to excessive levels of ozone, the ozone level was monitored and never exceeded 20 parts per billion, well below EPA maximum level for continuous exposure. In addition to the test chamber treated with PCO and the corona discharge ozone generator, a control chamber was set up to account for natural decay of the test organisms. Because some biological pathogens die-off on their own when exposed to air, any reputable study must account for such reductions. The test results shown in the report are the reductions in viable organisms with respect to the control sample. The test results were astounding. After 24 hours of exposure the nine organism’s viability was reduced between 96.4% and 99.9%. It should be noted that the double blind study accounted for natural decay. What was even more surprising to the researchers was how fast PCO reduced the pathogens. At the 2-hour sample the average reduction was well over 80%. At the 6-hour sample the average reduction was well over 90%. An additional test was performed using a corona discharge ozone generator (Breeze AT) against Candida albicans (yeast) and Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) at 50 parts per billion (the level deemed safe by the US EPA, OSHA and other international health & safety organizations). This test showed the ability of safe levels of ozone to reduce microbial contamination. It should be noted that although results showed the effectiveness of this safe level of ozone, it also showed that ozone alone is not as effective as the multiple oxidizers produced by the advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation device. One of the multiple oxidizers the PCO cell produces is ozone but at an ozone level two to five times lower than using ozone alone. This test report has been peer reviewed and was published in the Journal of Rapid Methods & Automation in Microbiology 15 (2007) 359–368.
For the full report please visit https://canadiancpg.com/commercial_products/ and click on KSU Study on PCO Technology
Bunting’s Meatline™ is meeting new challenges in metal detection
As humans, there are a few things all of us have in common. We all need to sleep, we all need to breathe, and we all need to eat and drink in order to survive. While we have come a long way from the days of our ancestors spearing wild animals and roasting them over the fire, we have a similar concern to those ancestors today. A caveman from thousands of years ago wouldn’t want metal contamination in his food, and while his may have come from a fragment of stone rather than metal as we know it today, the sentiment is the same. If a stray scrap of metal finds its way into our food, we are put at risk for bodily harm and we lose our trust in the company we purchased that food from. Fortunately, technology has come a long way since the Stone Age, and Bunting has designed some particularly innovative metal detection products to keep contaminants out of our food.
Like cavemen, humans today love meat. Meat, however, is one of the products most frequently at risk for metal contamination. Because animals must be slaughtered as part of the production process, they frequently arrive at manufacturing plants already bearing contamination. Other processes involved with handling meat, such as machinery used to grind, mash, and cut, can lead to contamination as well. For example, metal bolts come loose from machinery; metal-to-metal contact in devices such as can openers creates metal shards, and smaller metal parts simply break loose off of equipment such as wire mesh belts.
Don’t Let Yourself Fall Victim to Recalls: Protect Yourself with Advanced Metal Detection
In March 2019, Tyson Foods had to recall 69,000 pounds of frozen chicken strips (read story here) due to two separate customers reporting contamination in chicken they had purchased. Just a few days ago, on October 11, Ruck’s Meat Processing of Belle Plaine, Minnesota pulled a huge batch of cured smoked beef after a customer complained about finding a fragment of metal in a piece of the beef (read story here). This contamination put consumers at risk of laceration to their mouths or throats, damage to their dental work, or even intestinal perforation. When meat contamination frequently presents itself in some of the most popular foods for children, such as chicken nuggets and hot dogs, we fear not just for ourselves, but for our families.
Bunting’s MeatLINE Metal Detector
To combat the problem of metal contamination in meat products, Bunting has developed a product specifically for detecting and removing metal in meat. Bunting’s meatLINE™ metal detector allows for detection and removal of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from meat products, particularly ground meat. The unique reject mechanism of the meatLINE™ allows it to remove metal contaminant without sacrificing the integrity of the ground meat. As meat moves through a pressurized conveying line, contaminant particles are detected and removed while keeping the meat’s intended shape. Beyond meat, the meatLINE™ metal detection is excellent at examining any kind of liquid or paste type food product, such as jams, jellies, soups, and sauces.
Stainless steel is the most commonly used metal in meat processing, but it is known for being notoriously difficult to detect. The meatLINE™ can detect and separate any type of metal, whether it is encapsulated or free. It fits all commercial vacuum fillers, is pressure washer safe, and has a stable frame with lockable casters. Its reject mechanism can be taken apart in just a few simple steps without the need for tools. Reassembling is just as simple and quick as disassembly. Operation of the meatLINE is easy and fast thanks to a touch screen display that features a self-explanatory menu structure.
The meatLINE™ metal detector is a product you can depend on. All of its components are constructed from stainless steel or durable, food-safe plastic. It has a responsive, powerful, and permanently maintenance-free pneumatic drive that provides it with a long lifespan. In addition to these features, the meatLINE™ is also pressure washer safe.
