Minebea Intec highlights critical dairy safety gaps as 400 products recalled
The dairy industry faces mounting pressure as nearly 400 products were recalled worldwide during the first quarter of 2025, with microbiological contamination, unlabelled allergens, and physical foreign bodies driving the crisis. Minebea Intec, a leading industrial weighing technology manufacturer, has outlined comprehensive prevention strategies targeting critical production vulnerabilities.
Contamination risks emerge across production chain
Current figures from the Global Food Recall Index study reveal the dairy sector once again leads food recall statistics, highlighting urgent product safety concerns. The financial implications extend far beyond immediate costs, encompassing substantial indirect damages including reputation loss, legal consequences, and market share erosion that can reach millions in losses.
Microbiological contamination presents particular risks during early production phases, especially during goods receipt and batching processes. Traditional systems employing probes, sensors, or sight glasses create hygienic vulnerabilities through direct product contact, challenging cleaning protocols, and deposit susceptibility.
Gravimetric solutions address hygiene challenges
Minebea Intec’s Novego® weighing module offers contact-free measurement capabilities, monitoring container contents externally regardless of density or viscosity variations. “With Novego, we are closing a crucial gap in hygienic plant engineering,” explains Yannick Salzmann, Product Manager at Minebea Intec. “The module reduces potential weak points and helps producers to reliably minimise microbiological risks.”
The system, developed according to EHEDG guidelines, features integrated overload protection, 360° lateral force compensation, and maintains high measuring accuracy even with moving or tilting containers. Minimised horizontal surfaces and reduced surface roughness facilitate rapid cleaning protocols whilst sophisticated design enables swift installation procedures.
Digital recipe management prevents allergen errors
Cross-contamination and human error contribute significantly to allergen-related recalls, particularly when inadequate documentation complicates efficient recall management. Minebea Intec’s ProRecipe XT® recipe software digitalises production processes, ensuring reliable handling across all ingredients through barcode scanner material identification systems.
“ProRecipe XT supports production with intuitive and guided recipe processing. This minimises operating errors, standardises processes and ensures a high level of product safety,” explains Lars-Henrik Bierwirth, Product Manager at Minebea Intec.
Minebea Intec’s Dymond X-Ray application
Advanced detection technologies tackle foreign body contamination
Dairy products’ high moisture and salt content frequently trigger false rejections in conventional metal detection systems. The Mitus® metal detector incorporates MiWave technology to compensate for product effect signals, particularly beneficial for yoghurt, curd, and milk powder applications.
“Product effect is a real challenge, especially in milk processing. With the Mitus metal detectors, we provide a solution that enables precise detection even with high product conductivity. This results in significantly fewer false rejects – which ultimately increases the efficiency of the production line,” explains Linus Dellweg, Product Manager at Minebea Intec.
X-ray inspection extends safety parameters
The Dymond X-ray inspection system detects metallic and non-metallic foreign bodies including glass, bone, plastic, and rubber materials, even within metallised packaging. The technology simultaneously monitors fill levels, shape integrity, and product completeness, supporting comprehensive end-of-line quality control.
Prevention investment demonstrates economic necessity
With over 150 years of industrial weighing and inspection experience and 4,300 completed dairy industry projects, Minebea Intec emphasises that precision represents absolute necessity rather than luxury investment. Companies implementing advanced technologies protect against substantial financial risks whilst improving operational efficiency and long-term product quality outcomes.
- For more information, visit: minebea-intec.com
