FM Found on Day One with PPO Smart Imaging!
In the highly competitive and safety-conscious meat processing industry, product quality and consumer safety are paramount. Adopting proven innovative technologies is a key part of delivering the safest, highest quality product possible. This case study examines the implementation of a PPO Smart Imaging System at a major pork processing facility to enhance the safety and quality of their further processed products.
Background
This processor is renowned for its commitment to innovation as well as quality and safety. Despite rigorous safety protocols and the use of both X-ray and metal detection
technologies, the risk of foreign materials in their supply chain was an ever-present concern. To address this, the company decided to implement a state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging system designed to detect the kind of contaminants they were challenged to find with their other inspection technologies.
Implementation of PPO Smart Imaging System
This customer purchased two PPO Smart Imaging Systems, to be installed on two separate inspection lines serving further processing of pork trims within one facility. The installation of the systems marked a significant technological advancement for this plant. The systems were deployed to scan incoming 100% of the raw material going into this plant, using true hyperspectral imaging along with AI algorithms to detect low-density foreign materials. The plant team and PPO worked together to install the systems in-line, and began running product through the first system.
Immediate Impact and Effectiveness
The impact of that PPO system was immediate and impressive. On its first day of operation, even before the system had been fully configured and tested, the system successfully identified foreign materials in the product stream. Over the subsequent three weeks, the system scanned almost 4 million pounds of incoming raw materials. During this period, it detected nearly 50 different foreign materials, including pieces of wood, cardboard, combo liner, blue slip sheet, and cotton glove.
A member of the plant team told the PPO team that, “Without PPO, none of these products would have been removed from our product stream.” Another member of the plant team said “Not only does the machine do what PPO said it can do, but it is one of the most reliable pieces of equipment in the plant.”
The implementation of the PPO Smart Imaging System at this facility is a testament to the power of hyperspectral imaging and AI in transforming food safety practices. This case highlights the system’s effectiveness in detecting a wide range of foreign materials from the very first day after installation. It also underscores the immediate benefits of embracing innovative and proven technologies like PPO, for meat processors.