Magnets play an important role in the security of finished products and should be included in every food safety programme to assist with removing the physical hazard of magnetic metal fragments from product streams.
It is important to ensure that magnets are at the specified strength for their expected duty, in the right location, and positioned correctly in the process to ensure maximum product stream coverage, extraction, and retention efficiency.
As with metal detectors or X-ray devices, magnets control the food safety quality of ingredients and / or finished product. Magnets typically extract smaller metal particles than most metal detector or X-ray devices. If your plant does not have any magnets, it is a critical consideration as using magnets greatly assists in reducing contamination risks in your products and improving overall food safety.
Magnets can also minimise costs and downtime by preventing damage to processing equipment.
In addition to ensuring specification, magnets should be tested yearly in accordance with a HACCP International programme and the current 0909MAGSEP 1-2010 Food Safety Standard to ensure they are within specification. If identified, any causes of demagnetisation or damage to the magnet should then be flagged and corrected.
The magnet validation and verification checks should be carried out by HACCP International approved, trained, and authorised technicians using currently calibrated gauss meter equipment, rather than dated and often inaccurate pull test calibrated methods. Modern day contaminants are weakly magnetic (for example stainless steel fragments from equipment and magnetic stone) and products must primarily contact the magnet surface; pull test measuring force at a distance is now almost irrelevant. Calibrated gauss meter testing is being rapidly adopted by major food companies and auditors worldwide as the gauss test gives more definitive and specific results. It is important to note that pull test is excluded as an approved method of validating magnets in the current above mentioned standard.
Active Magnetics Research Pty Ltd (AMR) specialise in providing third party endorsed magnet validation reports and metal fragment control risk assessments especially tailored to your plant. All authorised technicians representing AMR are trained and carry out the service using a currently calibrated gauss meter traceable to a NATA accredited laboratory.
This specified service proves its value beyond providing basic magnet strength readings by delivering a quality HACCP-endorsed report containing realistic and practical magnetic separation solutions. This helps keep you aware of the latest technology and assists you in maintaining product security and brand protection.
With more than 45 years’ combined experience in metal fragment control system design, testing, and analysis, MAGNATTACK™ Global appreciates the importance of understanding its clients’ needs and requirements. The company values working together to reduce the risk of metal fragment contamination, improving the food safety and integrity of your products.
Contact MAGNATTACK™ Global or AMR to find out more about the importance of magnet validations, to contact trained testing technicians, or to book an appointment.
