Every year, consumers are affected by food products that didn’t get thoroughly inspected. Whether it’s metal, bacteria, or another type of contaminant, food packaging facilities are responsible for ensuring food products are safe for consumption. While food inspection standards are made to ensure this is done, there are still some misconceptions regarding food inspection. Because of this, this article is going to take a look at the truth behind a few common misconceptions about food inspection processes.
Misconception: Standard Inspection Systems Can be Used for All Products
While some standard inspection systems can be used in certain cases, most products require a customized inspection system. It’s important each product undergoes contamination detection and checkweighing, but it’s also important to remember that each product and production line is unique. Because of this, what works for one product may not work for another. So food packaging distributors should ensure that each food inspection machine is tailored to meet the needs of the individual production line.
Misconception: Manual Inspection is as Good as Automated Inspection
Unfortunately, humans make mistakes. And while this is understandable, a mistake in food inspection systems can have dire consequences. Because of this, automated rejection systems are more reliable than manual rejection systems. Many regulations and standards incorporate the use of automated systems because of their reliability. However, automated and manual inspection systems should be used together. Food packaging distributors should ensure that proper equipment, like x-ray machines and devices for metal detection in food processing, to meet safety standards.
Misconception: Food Safety Isn’t Getting Any Better
Like most processes, food inspection can always be improved. And fortunately for consumers, updated regulations and standards are continuously making food products safer. Food safety has drastically improved over the years, thanks to government and organization monitoring programs. The CDC reevaluates the foodborne pathogens it monitors and increases their monitoring regulations. Unfortunately, about 48 million Americans get sick every year, with 128,000 being hospitalized and 3,000 dying, from foodborne diseases. But because of this, food packaging distributors are increasing the safety standard levels to ensure all food products are safe to consume.
Hopefully, this article cleared up some confusion about food inspection systems. Food inspection is crucial to ensure consumers are getting safe and healthy products. By utilizing the proper food inspection systems, food packaging distributors can reduce the risk of causing harm to consumers.
