Safety Below Zero: Metal Detection for Frozen Seafood
Company Background
The customer is a frozen seafood processor producing breaded fillets, salmon portions, and coating mixes. They needed a reliable solution to detect metal contaminants under freezing conditions and fast conveyor speeds. By adopting advanced conveyor metal detection, they exceeded safety requirements, ensured compliance, and protected both consumers and brand reputation.
The Challenge: Metal Contamination in Frozen Seafood
Frozen seafood products, from breaded fillets to salmon portions, are particularly susceptible to metal contamination during processing. Contaminants such as hooks or blades can enter the product through machinery, equipment wear, or handling, posing serious food safety and regulatory risks. Unlike fresh products, frozen seafood presents unique detection challenges:
Low temperatures can affect metal detector sensitivity
Ice and coatings can create masking effects, making contaminants harder to detect
Rapid conveyor lines require fast, reliable detection without slowing production
Ensuring product integrity in frozen seafood requires a robust conveyor metal detection system.
The Solution: Conveyor Metal Detection
A conveyor metal detector was implemented to inspect a range of frozen seafood products. By using advanced signal processing and adjustable sensitivity settings, the detector could reliably identify small metal fragments even under freezing conditions.
Customer Requirements:
Metal Type
Minimum Size Required (mm)
Ferrous (Fe)
1.75
Non-Ferrous (NoFe)
2.5
Stainless Steel (SUS)
3.5
Tested Minimum Detectable Sizes (our validation):
Product
Fe (mm)
NoFe (mm)
SUS (mm)
Breaded SP
1.5
1.5
2.0
Salmon Fin
1.2
1.5
2.0
Coating Mix
1.0
1.0
1.5
The test results demonstrated that the conveyor metal detector exceeded customer requirements, offering a reliable safety margin for all product types.
Implementation in Production
During integration into the seafood processing line:
Sensitivity settings were tailored for each product type
Detection was calibrated for frozen and breaded products to minimize masking effects
Routine verification with standard test pieces ensured continuous compliance with customer requirements
The system operates seamlessly at production speed, ensuring all seafood products are inspected without slowing down the line.
Key Takeaways
1. Frozen Products Require Specialized Detection
Ice, coatings, and low temperatures can affect standard detection, conveyor metal detectors must be carefully configured. 2. Exceeding Minimum Detection Thresholds Ensures Safety
Testing confirmed that all products could reliably detect smaller contaminants than required, increasing food safety confidence. 3. Continuous Verification is Essential
Regular testing with calibrated samples ensures the system remains accurate and compliant, protecting both consumers and brand reputation.
Conclusion: Cold, Safe, and Compliant
Metal contamination is a hidden risk in frozen seafood. Conveyor metal detectors, properly calibrated and verified, provide the confidence that products reaching consumers are safe, high-quality, and compliant with regulatory standards.
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