From internal industry reports on sources of physical contamination of food, it was found that at least 34% of incidents involved process and product packaging, says packaging company Detectamet.
Several of these incidents occur when bits of stretch wrap, perhaps from stretch wrapped ingredients, get into the process flow.
Several companies have asked Detectamet to supply them with detectable stretch wrap, particularly ingredient suppliers wishing to help to protect their customers from accidental contamination.
The company said the new Detectable Stretch Wrap has been tested and found to offer good levels of detectability in metal detectors.
In trials by experienced wrap users, the 30 micron film was found to offer more resilient strength that was less likely to tear.
The reports from the testers consistently remarked on how the wrap didn’t keep tearing.
“Flimsy, cheap wrap seems to be a pet hate of despatch staff. I suppose there is nothing as frustrating as trying to get a waiting lorry loaded and the wrap tears in mid-wrap,” said CEO Sean Smith.
The product is available in 400 mm wide by 200 m long (hand wrapped) and 500 mm by 800 m (machine wrapped).
The new wrap has been affirmed as satisfying the US and EU requirements for safe contact with food.
