Allpax, powered by Pro Mach, introduced today a comprehensive system for tracing cans, trays, and pouches from filling through sterilization that lowers the risk of product recall of shelf-stable foods. This new Allpax system encompasses tighter information integration between packaging machines, retort room baskets, and the electronic sterilization records of each retort in the cannery.

The cannery traceability system gives plant operations personnel an electronic record from filler to retort room for every sterilized batch of products cased and ready to be shipped. The system records whether the contents of each retort basket were properly sterilized. Should problems or questions about a batch crop up, the system provides information that plant personnel can use to trace back through the packaging and sterilization process and identify the conditions that led to the potential quality or health issue.

“Most of our approach involves software integration to eliminate data disconnects,” said Jonny Watkins, Director of Software Engineering, Allpax. “In terms of hardware, we may add a barcode tracking system to baskets if the baskets are being loaded manually. In automated retort rooms, software is used to track baskets. There may also be a need for retort control system upgrades, but that is on a case by case basis. This approach is a relatively quick and cost effective means of creating a useful electronic record for products as units make their way from filling to retort to warehouse.”

promachinc.com