Page 38 - ABFI March 19 issue

food safety

hygIeNe & Worldwide economic growth and coinciding rising

incomes, as well as consumers' increasingly busy
safety lifestyles, mean that more and more people are looking
for convenient meal options that fit within their busy
IN the Bag daily lives.

- Dan Orehov

he frozen food industry that stands out amongst
has some of the highest competitors," explains
Tfood safety standards. Stefano Rizzato General
Food packaging equipment Manager - tna Southern
in this industry needs to Europe. "The frozen food
withstand some of the sector has become much more
most demanding sanitation important to us in the last
requirements and cleaning few years and in particular
procedures. VFFS Systems since our acquisition of
are a popular choice as they potato processing experts
are designed to leverage Florigo. For example, we
the benefits of gravity to can now offer a complete
transport products and line of solutions for French
their sloping surfaces make Fry producers, starting from
it easier to prevent food potato peelers and fryers all
residues from accumulating the way through to freezing system that would allow it to enhance production capacity.
on the equipment. Easier tunnels and of course expand its product portfolio tna, renowned for delivering
access to machine parts packaging systems that bag and allow efficient product the fastest vertical form, fill
further simplifies cleaning the fries. Being able to source changes and integration and seal packaging speeds
procedures. Ideally, cleaning all their equipment from with existing elements of in the industry, enabled
should be possible without a single supplier is a huge the production line. As a the company to double its
removing components; but advantage for manufacturers growing manufacturer, production speeds, while also
if components need to be in this industry as it means Whitby Seafoods was looking improving product quality.
removed, it should have a each component of their line to increase capacity with a The installation exceeded the
tool-less design with no loose will work at its maximum third packaging line. It chose frozen seafood manufacturer's
parts. In addition, crevices, level of performance," he to install the tna robag FX 3ci initial objectives in terms of
®
corners and other areas adds. - a vertical, form, fill and seal packaging speeds, which are
where food can build up (VFSS) packaging solution integral to the company as it
are open invitations to cross Case Study for Seafood that would allow consistent grows in the future."
contamination. The packaging Manufactures high quality at a fast speed for
system design should Based in Whitby, a a range of bag sizes. Purchasing Criteria
therefore be free of features traditional fishing port in Simon Hill, regional sales Food safety is paramount
that create recesses, gaps and North Yorkshire, UK, Whitby manager at tna, comments, in the frozen foods industry
areas that are typically hard Seafoods Ltd. is a leading "Packaging line speed is and processors need to
to clean. "Vertical Form Fill producer of frozen seafood crucial to maintaining food prevent thawing and cross-
and Seal (VFFS) systems are products. A growing family safety with frozen foods contamination during
the ideal solution to respond company, Whitby Seafoods like seafood. While the tow the entire duration of the
to the increasing demand specializes in locally sourced existing production lines packaging process to reduce
for frozen foods as they can langoustines - or scampi - operate at 70 bags per minute any potential risks to the
quickly and effectively bag that are breaded and sold in (bpm), the new line works product or consumer. A
a wide variety of products bitesize portions. A recent comfortably at 140 bpm, hygienically designed
and operate well in the harsh rebrand has meant that effectively doubling product packaging system is one of
environments of the frozen the company updated its throughput. This now helps the best ways to optimize
food industry. By optimizing packaging design to appeal Whitby Seafoods to ensure food safety and quality.
their VFFS packaging to an even wider audience. products are processed as Frozen food packaging
process, manufacturers can New pack sizes range from quickly as possible. With technology should typically
further boost productivity between 200 and 300 grams growing consumer demand be IP65 protected. This
and food safety, while also in a standard pillow bag for new and exciting products, type of equipment offers
increasing product shelf format. Whitby Seafoods Whitby Seafoods needed a total protection from dust
life and enhancing visual therefore required a flexible flexible packaging system ingress and harsh washdown
appeal to create a product packaging and distribution that would allow them to procedures, including

38 March 2019 AgriBusiness & Food i ndustr y