Over time, the market for packaged foods and ingredients has skyrocketed. Globally, it has surpassed $1.2 billion at this point, and it’s expected to reach nearly $3.5 billion by the end of the decade. Consumers are on a constant search for convenience and simplicity in the foods, beverages, and ingredients they buy, and that’s not going to lose steam any time soon.
Of course, safety and quality are of the utmost importance in the food processing and packaging sector. They’re always at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Several standards and regulations have been put into place to foster those factors as well. Though food processing companies must take an array of steps to remain in compliance with those requirements, they also have certain tools to help them along the way. Many types of food filling machines fall into that category.
Limiting Human Intervention
For one, automated filling machines support safe handling practices by limiting human intervention. Contamination is a major concern in food processing, and it can happen at any point in the production process. Handling foods and the ingredients that go into them is a leading cause of contamination. Since filling machines reduce, or sometimes even eliminate, the need for human contact, they greatly reduce the risk of contamination from handling. That, alone, contributes to food safety, but it’s only one of the advantages of using automation in this industry.
Improving Sanitation
Another way filling machines help keep foods safe is by improving sanitation in processing. Those that comply with safety regulations are designed with cleanliness in mind. They have non-porous surfaces that are easy to clean and sanitize. At the same time, they’re made from materials that don’t cause their own levels of contamination via chemicals, heavy metals, and other hazards. When combined with proper cleaning and safety protocols, they can greatly reduce the risks of contaminants making their way into foods and being passed along to consumers.
Ensuring Packaging Safety and Long-Term Protection
Additionally, automated filling and packaging machines can help ensure foods are packaged safely and properly. Some machines are designed to sterilize bottles, packages, and other containers before they’re filled to eliminate microorganisms. Packaging machines also create airtight seals to keep outside contaminants where they belong.
Some are equipped with sensors and other tools that inspect packages to make sure they’re intact before they leave the production floor. That, in turn, protects foods and the people who buy them long after the processing and packaging stages. Automation in the food processing and packaging sector improves tracking capabilities as well. In the event a specific production run is found to be contaminated, these machines can aid in tracing the products and recalling them before they cause widespread illnesses or injuries.
Taking Advantage of Filling Machines and Automation in Food Production
Processed, packaged foods have become a way of life not only in America but across the globe. They bring people simplicity, convenience, pre-measured proportions, and many other benefits. For the companies that produce those foods, automated filling machines offer an array of advantages. They help reduce waste and streamline production. They can also foster food safety.
These machines minimize human contact to reduce the risk of contamination. They’re also designed to further eliminate contamination by being non-porous and easy to sanitize. They can likewise safeguard foods against outside contamination over the long term. They help companies remain in compliance with increasingly stringent food handling and processing regulations so those companies can protect their customers and their reputations.
