Inspection/detection equipment is evolving to meet the needs of bakeries and snack manufacturers seeking to improve their productivity at a time when packaging operations are becoming more complex. There is an increased need for machine versatility and flexibility to handle multiple package sizes and conform to various safety regulations. Recent advances in metal detection and x-ray technology are available to meet those challenges.
Major bakery and snack trends include a proliferation of varieties and flavors within brands, the increasing use of flexible packaging and multiple types of packaging to suit the needs of various retailers, such as convenience and warehouse stores. This increases the frequency of changeovers and places pressure on packaging operations and inspection requirements.