In the snack and confectionery industry, high speeds are crucial, especially for horizontal packaging lines - but it should never come at the expense of quality. From managing delicate goods to combating sugar dust accumulation, the complexities of modern snack and confectionery production demand advanced inspection solutions. At METTLER TOLEDO, we’ve engineered our systems to tackle these challenges with precision and durability.
Handling the production of delicate snack and confectionery products demands robust inspection solutions that can detect foreign bodies. Both metal detection and x-ray inspection achieve this. For example, during the production process, high-performance vertical metal detection solutions such as the Profile Throat metal detector will seamlessly detect and reject contaminants in free-falling, snack and confectionery products in-flight, prior to bagging.
Our next generation metal detection solutions, such as the M31R metal detector, are designed to inspect fast moving products, delivering high sensitivity to detect and reject metal contaminated products. Also designed to inspect products at fast production line speeds is the X34C x-ray system. This x-ray inspection solution inspects individually wrapped snack and confectionery products for a wide range of foreign body contaminants. Both metal detection and x-ray inspection solutions help make sure that only perfect goods reach consumers, plus any rejected packs can be re-worked, saving product and packaging waste and associated costs.
Precision is crucial when it comes to the correct weight of the snack and confectionery product. Our C35 AdvancedLine checkweigher, equipped with FlashCell™ technology, maintains accuracy with lightning-fast precision. Predictive maintenance also means your line remains operational, minimizing unexpected downtime.
The accumulation of sugar dust is a significant challenge when producing gums and jelly sweets, leading to equipment corrosion and contamination. Our systems, with IP65 and IP69 ratings, are built to endure rigorous cleaning, maintaining functionality and hygiene even in harsh conditions. The hygienic design of our equipment, with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices, minimizes contamination risk and extends equipment lifespan by simplifying cleaning. Regular testing with Automatic Test System (ATS) confirms our vertical metal detection systems remain accurate, automating the process to maintain high performance without added labor costs.
In snack food applications and Vertical Form Fill and Seal (VFFS) processes, where products tend to move very quickly, space constraints and the free-flowing nature of products like potato chips add complexity. Our Throat metal detectors are designed for tight spaces, detecting metal contaminants with high sensitivity even in challenging conditions.
Labeling and allergen management are critical with increasing regulatory demands. Advanced vision inspection systems verify labels for accuracy, facilitating compliance with regulations, such as Natasha’s Law, which requires clear allergen labeling. These systems can reduce label-related recalls by up to 80%, protecting both consumer health and brand reputation.
ProdX™ software provides the next level in product safety and savings for snack food manufacturers by extending the data management functionality of the product inspection devices installed. The ProdX software saves time and money by automating the monitoring, reporting, and collating of all product inspection activities in real-time. The safely stored data can help manufacturers grow their business by facilitating food safety regulatory compliance. It enables taking due diligence to the next, higher level as a safeguard and more effective brand protection measure. By analyzing the data, production line improvements can be identified thereby helping to boost productivity and combat rising costs.
The snack and confectionery market is constantly evolving. Our flexible and scalable inspection technologies enable quick adaptation to new products and packaging formats, meaning we stay competitive. For example, as demand for plant-based snacks grows, our adaptable solutions meet new production and inspection requirements without sacrificing speed or quality. With smaller portion sizes becoming more common in response to changing consumption habits driven by pharmaceutical innovations such as GLP-1, it is important to have equipment which can handle changes in product formats and packaging.
Sustainability is also a key focus. Our inspection technologies support sustainability initiatives by reducing waste and optimizing resources through early contamination detection in the production line, helping us achieve environmental goals while maintaining high-speed production.
At METTLER TOLEDO, we’re not just about keeping up with the pace - we’re here to help you thrive at the highest speeds while maintaining the highest standards.
Our metal detection and x-ray inspection solutions are designed to excel in high-speed snack and confectionery production if required. Metal detection detects contaminants in conveyorized applications, as well as free-falling, powdered and granular snack and confectionery products, and VFFS applications such as potato chips prior to bagging. Both technologies can inspect individually wrapped products for foreign body contaminants with remarkable accuracy. The result? Rejected product can be reworked, minimizing waste and saving costs, and more importantly only top-quality products reach your customers.
The C35 AdvancedLine checkweigher, featuring FlashCell™ technology, is built for high-speed applications where precision is crucial. This checkweigher offers unparalleled accuracy even at speeds of up to 800 products per minute. Its advanced design minimizes weighing errors and facilitates compliance with strict quality standards. Plus, with predictive maintenance features, it helps prevent unexpected downtime, keeping your production line running smoothly.
Our equipment’s IP65 and IP69 ratings mean they stand up to demanding cleaning routines and harsh production environments. Designed to resist water, dust and other contaminants, the equipment remains fully operational and hygienic even under rigorous washdown conditions. This robust design minimizes the risk of contamination and equipment failure, supporting a cleaner, more efficient production line and extending the life of your investment.
Our Automatic Test System (ATS) automates vertical fall metal detector tests, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. By replicating the metal detector’s centerline sensitivity, ATS provides consistent, reliable results across all testing points. While it doesn’t replace manual tests entirely, ATS reduces their frequency, addressing sensitivity variations and improving overall performance. This patented technology supports optimal detection and product safety while minimizing manual testing efforts and associated labor costs.
As the snack and confectionery market continues to boom, manufacturers need equipment that can adapt to new product lines and regulatory changes. Investing in advanced product inspection technologies is essential to maintaining quality at high production speeds while also future proofing our production lines. With the innovative solutions available, we can face the challenges head-on while upholding product integrity and consumer safety.
Click the link below to learn more about product inspection technologies for the snacks and confectionery industry.
Members of the European Snacks Association
Rob has a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and international experience in the food industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge to METTLER TOLEDO. He supports a number of territories with the sales and service of metal detection systems and works with some of the world's biggest food producers to help improve the quality and safety of their products.