Increased packaging line speeds have made it more difficult for human inspectors to reliably remove nonconforming items.
Vision inspection is an essential part of any food processor’s safety program, as correct and readable packaging improves traceability and increases the information available to increasingly picky consumers. Consumers often look at “best before” dates and allergen content when making a product selection, and more comprehensive traceability can prevent some of the roughly 5,000 deaths estimated to occur from illness in the US each year.
A successful recall requires information including the producer’s name, product name or number, best before date and production date or lot number to be legible on the package. The globalization of food supply has complicated food manufacturing, as processors find themselves accommodating many location-specific labeling and packaging requirements.