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J&J Employs Versatile X-Ray for Mixed Snack Foods

To maximize detecting capability, J&J Snack Foods recently installed three x-ray systems from Mettler-Toledo Safeline, including an X33 model in 2017 and another X33 and a two-lane X36 model last year.

J&J Snack Foods' X-Ray Inspection Systems from Mettler-Toledo Safeline
J&J Snack Foods' X-Ray Inspection Systems from Mettler-Toledo Safeline

J&J Snack Foods has developed a recipe for success. Over the last 50 years, they’ve transformed from a humble pretzel processor to become a leader in baked goods, frozen beverages and frozen novelty products with 4,200 employees across 18 production facilities. To support their commitment to excellence, J&J Snack Foods installed three x-ray systems from Mettler-Toledo Safeline, including an X33 model in 2017 and another X33 and a two-lane X36 model last year.

“We decided to go with x-ray systems instead of metal detectors on these lines because we wanted to maximize our detection capabilities,” says Carissa Chrobak, Food Safety Quality Control Manager at J&J Snack Foods. “First, x-rays detect all dense foreign material and automatically reject contaminated packages. Second, some of our packages have foil lids, which is a problem for metal detectors. Finally, we sometimes use our x-rays to inspect the volume of product in a cup or the placement of product components in a package. For example, we have a package for club stores that contains tubes of Italian ice, and x-ray inspection lets us confirm the tubes are oriented correctly.”

“We have checkweighers and other equipment from Mettler-Toledo, so they were our first choice when we decided to install x-rays on a new line and two existing lines here at our Moosic, Pennsylvania facility,” says Ernest Fogle, Vice President of Research and Development, Frozen Desserts Division at J&J Snack Foods. “We wanted x-rays that offered impressive sensitivity, ease of use and reliability at an affordable price. We spoke with multiple suppliers, including our sales rep Bob Hatala of Reliant Packaging Machinery, and it was clear that Mettler-Toledo was the best fit.”

Products from J&J Snack Foods go to market under 25 house brands–including icons like ICEE, Luigi’s Italian Ice and Tio Pepe’s Churros–as well as customers’ private labels.

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