MORE FINGERNAILS WITH THAT BURGER? Before you bite into that cheeseburger, spare a thought for the results of a new study from US-based food testing company Clear Labs. Its research into burgers available in North America has come up with some interesting…and alarming…statistics. Of the 258 burgers the company tested, two vegetarian burgers contained meat, three burgers included rat DNA and one boasted a sprinkling of human DNA. If you were thinking horse meat was unacceptable in burgers, then hair, skin and fingernails accidentally mixed in during the manufacturing process will give you the heeby-geebies. “What many consumers don’t know No better solution than bag filtration 22 JULY 2016 is that some amounts of human and rat DNA may fall within an acceptable regulatory range,” Clear Labs says. Of larger concern, the company says, is that almost a quarter of vegetarian burgers have different ingredients to those on the label, with two containing beef and one black bean burger containing no black beans. Around six per cent substituted one product for another…a common finding being that, for meat burgers, chicken or turkey was unexpectedly added in. And 4.3 per cent contained pathogenic DNA, which can cause food poisoning outbreaks. “Certain pathogens found in the FOREIGN MATTER… IS A DEAD END FILTRATION SYSTEM THE ANSWER? One of the worst fears for a food manufacturer is a product recall caused by foreign matter. Whilst manufacturers must comply with product production protocols, the pipework, pumps and machinery most often are secondary considerations. The trouble is, regular maintenance checks often do not go as far as checking for frayed seals or worn valve seats, as they are not easy to access and downtime is limited. But Particle Solutionz says when the plant has a CIP function, it is a simple fix to install a dead end filtration system to take the full CIP flow. With CIP flow generally 30-40 per cent more than production flow, any loose or split parts are dislodged during the rinse programmes. By installing a dead end filter such as a GAF Bag Filter, any material dislodged during CIP can be trapped. Particle Solutionz Limited has a number of food manufacturing clients who not only filter the CIP solution, but also the return lines so any foreign matter trapped can be identified and the cause rectified. It installs filters on the return from some machinery that is vulnerable with lots of moving parts inside…that way individual potential problems can be identified. Generally CIP solutions are filtered, as low as 0.45 micron in some cases, to protect sensitive membranes - by installing a filter in the return we increase the size so as not to restrict the flow which is critical for a good clean regime. Particle Solutionz sales@particlesolutionz.co.nz or visit wwwparticlesolutionz.co.nz From prefilter to final filter, the Particle Solutionz range of filterbags can significantly reduce your filtration costs. The flow through filterbags is from the inside out, trapping contaminants for easy disposal. Clean housings mean reduced downtime. EATON’s ClearGAF and Lofclear range of filterbags incorporate the patented Sentinel seal ring system. The seal works first time, every time, to eliminate any bypass. The EATON AccuGAF range of filterbags can prefilter liquids and extend cartridge life. EATON AccuGAF filterbags meet EC Directive 2002/72/EC, for use in contact with foodstuffs. The filterbags are constructed entirely of FDA listed materials for food contact applications. Particle Solutionz distributes a number of international brand filter products and systems to suit your application. We are proud to announce that we can now also supply Begerow Filtration products. Begerow are specialists in liquid filtration processes in the beverage and food industries as well as chemical , pharmaceutical and industrial sector. We can discuss your specific needs and develop a customised installation to suit your business and your budget. LIMITED Leaders in Liquid Filtration 0800 423 477 • www.particlesolutionz.co.nz FT090 products can cause tuberculosis-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, foodborne illness and E.coli. Pathogens in four vegetarian burgers, considered a low rick category for food poisoning, was troubling,” Clear Labs says. Mixed-up meats, possible illness and rats aside, for those watching their waistbands, 12 burgers in the study contained at least 100 more calories than on the label. Clear Labs says whilst there are “gaps” in food safety and quality standards, overall the beef industry has benefited from stringent regulations and aggressive testing requirements. FOREIGN MATTER DETECTION
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