Several large-scale recalls have been issued recently for products containing foreign material, which creates headlines that draw a lot of attention to how the industry keeps foreign material from contaminating the food supply.
Many processors, such as OSI Group, in Aurora, Ill., have established multiple hurdles to prevent and detect foreign material within their product streams.
TOMRA’s demo system has the ability to detect foreign materials including metal, wood, paper and plastic and will be launched at international meat industry trade fair, IFFA 2016, in Frankfurt, Germany, on May 7-12.
Recalls occur on meat and poultry products for a variety of reasons — from positive tests for pathogens to allergen-labeling issues to foreign-material contamination. Any reason for a product recall is a serious one — and each should open the industry’s eyes to what it can do better to prevent these recalls from occurring.
Schmalz's European Provisions, a Springfield, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,424 pounds of chicken and apple sausage that may contain small pieces of plastic.
Serenade Foods, Inc., a Milford, Ind., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,250 pounds of crunchy chicken strip products that may contain foreign materials.