During the pandemic, many independent processors have seen their production demands increase due to changing consumer purchasing patterns as the labor market remains tight. In turn, many smaller processors have added new automated equipment, such as bigger injectors or poly-clip systems, to keep up with production demands. These processors need to be very aware that they have introduced a metal contamination source, says Terry Houser, associate professor and Smithfield Foods chair in meat science extension at Iowa State University in Ames. With every equipment change and automation advancement, it begs the question: “Are you introducing any metals?” he says.
While preventative maintenance and management is required from processors through HACCP plans and SOPs to make sure metal doesn’t get into product, metal detection equipment has become an important intervention in preventing metal contamination as the industry still struggles with fairly untrained staff.