Two separate incidents recently made the news where a supermarket retailer and food manufacturer in the UK recalled their products over fears of contamination, after metal and plastic respectively was found to have entered their manufacturing processes, posing a potential risk to consumers.
Metal contamination is just one of the hazards a food processing company will encounter. Unwanted metal, whether 
very fine iron or stainless steel (sometimes worn away fragments from the food processing machinery itself), not only contaminates food but can get caught up in processing equipment causing downtime, loss of productivity and sometimes costly damage.
Eriez Magnetics Europe are specialist manufacturers of magnetic separation and metal detectors designed to eliminate metal contamination in process industries. Their extensive product range includes magnetic separators incorporating ferrite and Rare Earth magnets, as well as metal detectors for in-line and end-of-line quality control and inspection.
Typically, magnetic separators are installed prior to the metal detection stage with multiple variations available, specifically suited for different applications. The Eriez Prograde® range includes magnetic tubes, grates, liquid line traps and grate-in-housings and offers the ultimate in ferrous contamination removal. These all-stainless-steel units feature a fully welded, sanitary construction and are available in the Xtreme™ Rare Earth magnetic strength with greater holding force, higher Gauss rating and improved separation efficiency. All ProGrade® products are available for immediate despatch.
Metal detectors and separators safeguard against both ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel metal contaminants. 
Detectors are positioned at different locations throughout the process line from raw or bulk material through final package inspection, typically at critical control points identified by the customer.
Recent innovations from Eriez include the introduction of the Xtreme™ Metal Detector. This feature-rich, multi-frequency unit is designed to achieve the highest levels of sensitivity to detect metal in packaged, loose and free-fall applications. Designed to strike a perfect balance between absolute detection of all metal and elimination of false signals that slow down production, the Xtreme® Metal Detector has the ability to detect 0.4mm spheres for a superior protection against contaminants while maintaining plant productivity.
For the elimination of plastic contaminants, Eriez Polymag™ is used as a protective solution in the food industry. The inclusion of Polymag™ additive during the manufacturing process of the plastic moulding ensures that if fragment of plastics contaminate food product, they can be identified by metal detection equipment.
For more information on Eriez products and the key role they play in quality control and machinery protection, contact Eriez on Tel: +44 (0)29 2086 8501 or e-mail at info@eriezeurope.co.uk.
Email: ling.tan@eriezeurope.co.uk
Tel.: +44 (0)29 2086 8501
Eriez Magnetics Europe Limited
www.eriezeurope.co.uk
About Eriez Europe:
Eriez Magnetics is recognized as world authority in separation technologies. The company’s magnetic lift and separation, metal detection, materials feeding, screening, conveying and controlling equipment have application in the process, metalworking, packaging, plastics, rubber, recycling, mining, aggregate and textile industries. Eriez manufactures and markets these products through 12 international facilities located on six continents. Eriez Europe Ltd. has its head office in Caerphilly, South Wales, UK. For more information visit www.en-gb.eriez.com