Food-safe metal-detectable technology receives trademark

6th March 2015

By: Mia Breytenbach

Creamer Media Deputy Editor: Features

  

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UK-based lubrication manufacturer Rocol in September 2014 received the trademark for its X-ray and metal-detectable Detex technology, applied to its food grade products to offer an additional layer of protection against foreign-object contamination.

“This is a significant step forward for the food industry, food manufacturing and related process-intensive operations, where the avoidance of foreign object contamination is paramount,” says Rocol South Africa (SA) GM Matthew Daley, noting that the Detex technology is a value-added product that complements the company’s current range of food-related products.

Rocol is the first UK lubrication manufacturer to add X-ray and metal-detectable components to its products.

The company’s Detex X-ray and metal-detectable plastic actuators and caps are used on all aerosols and grease cartridges for the company’s Foodlube and food-grade lubricants. Compared with traditional aerosol packaging, the Foodlube product caps and actuators can be identified using standard X-ray or metal-detection equipment, should they fall loose or be lost in the finished product.

Rocol's value addition also assists food and drink manufactures in avoiding costly downtime, product recalls and potential reputational damage, Daley points out, adding that manufacturers can now ensure that they are adhering to a higher degree of safety when manufacturing their products.

Meanwhile, Rocol's new technology was the winner in the Hygiene Solutions category at the UK Food Processing Awards in October 2014.

The company’s Food Grade Range is one of the largest ranges of lubrication products available for the food processing industry. These products are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, and the Foodlube products carry an H1 accreditation that refers to the category listing awarded to food products that meet the safety requirements for incidental food contact.

Rocol is also ISO 21469-certified, which is a globally recognised hygiene certification that assists food and drink processors in retailer, European Food Safety Inspection Service (EFSIS) and British Retail Consortium (BRC) audit compliance. “ISO 21469 ensures that the products are formulated, manufactured and supplied hygienically and safely,” Daley stresses.

He points out that Southern Africa bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International, which has been a Rocol products distributor for more than 20 years, also supplies these ranges to industry.

Stringent Standards
Daley highlights that industry has reacted favourably to the Detex technology, with the Foodlube range of products remaining popular in South Africa, noting increased demand for food-safe packaged products. “These products are becoming a standard requirement, with manufacturers having to adhere to stringent international standards,” he points out.

Daley acknowledges that, while the food and beverage industry is becoming increasingly concerned about using food-safe lubricants, it is still comparatively unaware of technological value additions to food-grade lubricants.

Nevertheless, he recognises an increase in food-safety consciousness among customers, citing key examples of other metal-detectable objects, such as metal-detectable plasters and cable ties, which can be more easily detected when lost during food-processing operations.

While Daley acknowledges that foreign-object food contamination does occur, he believes that many South African food and beverage manufacturers are not as strict as they should be when meeting certain specifications in terms of lubricant safety.

Moreover, while there are food industry auditors monitoring safety and sanitary standards, Daley believes there are insufficient auditors available to the industry, with a seeming lack of labour to specialise in lubrication safety.

Purol Range
Since the food and beverage processing industry is evolving into a more significant market and becoming a larger part of Rocol SA's business, the company further aims to increase its focus on the food grade lubricants range.

This range includes the Purol multipurpose lubricant, which is NSF 3H-certified, for direct food contact, and ISO 21469-accredited. It is a high-performance alternative to vegetable and grapeseed oil, which is commonly used on blades, bearings and seals, mixers, slicers and other food-processing-related machinery.

The lubricant, which features increased lubrication life, reduces downtime, avoids wear and tear, and resists extreme temperatures from -10 °C to +110 °C.

“Purol is a clear, nontoxic, odourless and tasteless lubricant, designed for industrial manufacturing, whereas vegetable oil is not designed for these types of applications,” Daley highlights.

However, he notes that, while demand for Purol has remained steady in recent months, industry is not fully aware of these types of products – particularly those that are NSF 3H-certified.

In light of this, Rocol aims to raise more awareness of this product’s features and applications in the short-term future, concludes Daley.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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