Streamline Food Production Processes with Proper Weighing Practices

Food Production Processes with Proper Weighing Practices

Image Source: foodmatters.com

 

Industrial weighing scales play an important role in every stage of production, packaging and transportation in the food and beverage sector. Along with ensuring that measurements are accurate and precise, they can also help with more efficient documentation, monitoring and control.

Here are 6 tips that you should put into action:

  1. Hygienic ScalesIndustrial weighing scales are available in a wide range of designs for different requirements. Ensure that the weighing scales you use are specifically designed for the food industry, especially in terms of hygiene. Using the wrong equipment raises the risk of contamination as well as safety hazards.Scales that are used in food and beverage production are often exposed to extreme environments and operating conditions. Scales designed for the food & beverage industry are built to handle these conditions as well as comply with regulatory requirements and best practices for food production.
  2. Thorough Cleaning – In order to maintain hygiene and safety standards, you need to keep weighing scales, as well as the environment they’re operated in, sanitary and clean. This can be especially important in low-temperature production areas, where food particles or liquids may freeze and adhere to the equipment.Not only does accumulated debris pose a contamination risk, but it can also affect weighing accuracy. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding procedures and materials you should use, and ensure that you follow a frequent cleaning schedule.
  3. Regular Calibration – As with any other measurement equipment, weighing scales used in the food industry need to be calibrated at regular intervals. This allows you to detect and monitor inaccuracies, take steps to correct them, and ensure that traceability is maintained throughout the production process.Set up a calibration schedule with your scale service provider as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. During scale calibration, take into account any special considerations, such as changes in product weight before and after freezing, etc.
  4. Environmental Conditions – Understand how operating conditions can affect the accuracy and reliability of your weighing scales. For instance, exposure to excessive moisture or corrosive materials can cause rust or pitting, while frequent temperature changes can lead to cracks and other physical damage.Vibrations, draft and other factors may also affect the accuracy of industrial weighing scales, so pay attention to where your scales are set up. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and usage.
  5. Maintenance Schedule – Along with frequent calibration and cleaning, every piece of weighing equipment should be inspected for damage and wear on a regular basis. Make sure that repairs are conducted without delay; otherwise, a small issue can turn into a serious problem if it is neglected for too long.
    Set up a maintenance and service schedule as recommended by the scale manufacturer, taking into account the frequency of use, installation conditions and operating environment.
  6. Customized Equipment – Scale manufacturers offer a huge variety of checkweighers, conveyor scales, bench scales and other weighing equipment for the food industry. In most cases you will be able to find the size, type, capacity and features required for your specific needs. However, it might make sense to have weighing scales customized according to your unique business requirements. This ensures that the weighing equipment you are using is suited to your specific production processes.

If you’d like to learn more about weighing equipment for the food and beverage industry or custom scales designed for your specific business needs, contact the sales team at Quality Scales Unlimited.