Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 188

INDUSTRY PRODUCTS
Sesotec GmbH High-Tech Metal Detector Ensures
Strictest Quality Specifications for Wheaty Products
TOPAS GmbH is a pioneer in the field of vegan
nutrition. The family business produces vegan meat and
cheese alternatives in Kernen, Germany, including the
well-known Wheaty brand.
Produced exclusively in Germany using regional raw
materials, the products meet the most stringent ecological
quality requirements and are certified according to the
IFS. Since the foundation until now with the second
family generation in the company management, constant
development in the areas of product and technology plays
an important role.
All Wheaty products are based on organic wheat
protein, so-called seitan. During its production, the wheat
grains are first processed into flour, which is washed
and kneaded several times with water until the starch is
washed out and only wheat protein remains. Cooked with
various ingredients and spices, the result is seitan, a wet
mass that has a meat-like consistency.
When using metal detectors in the food industry, it is
important to keep in mind that many foodstuffs exhibit
a so-called product effect. This product effect is caused
e.g., by a high water or salt content, which leads to the
so-called intrinsic conductivity. This impairs the metal
detection in that the detector may report a metal signal
even though no metal is present in the product. The
result: false triggering occurs, and a perfect product is
rejected. Vibrations in the vicinity of metal detectors can
also cause false resolutions.
In the case of products with a high product effect
(intrinsic conductivity), the sensitivity of the metal
detector is reduced. However, this increases the risk of
metal contamination in the end product.
The Sesotec complete metal detection system
UNICON+ for dry or wet area consists of a conveyor
belt, the INTUITY metal detector (coil and control unit),
and as optional with reject system. The metal detection
system can be integrated into different production stages.
The INTUITY coil technology with extremely short
metal-free zone enables shortest conveyor belt lengths,
which is very important due to the limited space available
at TOPAS GmbH.
The INTUITY metal detector uses THiNK technology,
which is based on AI (Artificial Intelligence) methods.
Products with high and/or fluctuating product effects can
be examined better and more stable with THiNK. Sesotec
THiNK can detect " false " interference signals caused by
the product effect. The advantages: Metal particles are
reliably detected and there are fewer false alarms.
The metal detection system, which is installed after
packaging, inspects the finished products at the last
CCP (Critical Control Point) for metallic foreign
bodies (stainless steel, ferrous and non-ferrous), thus
guaranteeing pure products for consumers.
As a food manufacturer, TOPAS has to comply
with strict guidelines and standards regarding Food
Safety. With THiNK, the product effect can be almost
eliminated, which enables a high sensitivity setting with
which TOPAS can detect the smallest metal particles.
The advantage for Wheaty products: greater safety, fewer
complaints and less product loss.
" All in all, it was a great project with Sesotec. From
our side, there were several different requirements for
the metal detectors, which were well solved by Sesotec.
Stability, sensitivities, integration - these were all factors
that presented us with challenges that are now no longer
an issue. We can fully concentrate on our products, which
is the most important thing for us, " says Mr. Behne, plant
manager at TOPAS GmbH.
Sesotec GmbH
Schönberg, Germany
+49 0.8554.308 2100
www.sesotec.com
188 Food Protection Trends March/April
http://www.sesotec.com
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023

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