Monthly Archives: December 2010

Food Safety – Metal Detection

Metal detection is an important part of food processing efforts to ensure food safety and more.  According to an August Cheese Market News piece: “preventing product contamination can be a key to profitable production, consumer protection and promoting brand confidence” (Nelson 1). 

 Driven by consumer and industry concern, many producers use metal detection technology as an important part of their QA programs.  Nelson-Jameson constantly seeks out useful new products, along with offering an extensive line of metal detectable items.  Using these items as part of your metal detection program can help your facility assure a level of quality and assurance throughout your production process.  Call us at 800-826-8302 for one of our Metal Detectable Products catalogs, or to speak with one of our industry experts about your metal detection program needs.   From safety items and band-aids to gaskets and scoops, Nelson-Jameson can outfit you with everything you need for this important line of defense against food contamination.

 Nelson, Johanna.  “Advances in Metal Detection Reduce Contamination in Food.” Cheese Market News. 6 Aug 2010: 1.


New 3-A Hose Assembly Standard #62-02

Over the years, 3-A SSI has been upgrading all of the sanitary standards and requiring a third party verification process to maintain the integrity of the 3-A symbol.  After consulting with industry experts and addressing all their questions and concerns, 3-A has approved a major revision of the Sanitary Hose Assembly Standard. The new standard # 62-02 replaces standard #62-01.

There are numerous hoses and fittings on the market that carry a 3-A symbol.  This simply means that the particular component piece meets a 3-A standard for that type of commodity product.  Rubber & Plastic hoses meet the appropriate 3-A Standard for Rubber & Plastic.  Stainless Steel ends meet the appropriate 3-A standard for Stainless Steel fittings. The 62-01 Hose Assembly standard was designed to approve the assembled product. When you take a 3-A hose and attach 3-A stems and sleeves, the assembled product now needs to meet a different 3-A standard(new standard 62-02) because you have now created a totally different product . Much like building a pump – all the parts and pieces need to be put together in such a way that the resulting product meets the sanitary design.

The new hose assembly standard #62-02 now requires that all symbol holders participate in a 3rd party verification process (TPV).  3-A has a list of trained and certified CCE’s (Certified Conformance Evaluator) to conduct the TPV inspection.

Once companies pass and file all the appropriate paper work, they will be awarded a new 3-A 62-02 symbol holder authorization.  One of the most noticeable changes you will see in the field with the new standard is the REQUIREMENT of a 3-A #62-02 label placed behind each coupler on the hose assembly. Hoses assembled by unauthorized personnel will not be allowed to carry this label.

The new standard was approved November 15th, 2010 and all current 62-01 symbol holders have 90 days to comply with the requirements of the new 62-02 standard.  Nelson-Jameson is currently working on meeting this new 62-02 Standard and receiving our 62-02 Symbol Holder Certification.  After attaining our certification, Nelson-Jameson will make it a priority to inform and educate our customers and industry partners.

For more information please see 3A’s website at www.3-A.org


Blog Log

Nelson-Jameson is serious about being your one-stop supply source. Besides products and services, we know the importance and power of knowledge in the food industry. Lately, we’ve been expanding the reach of Nelson-Jameson through Facebook®, Twitter, and through “The Wide Line” Blog. These past few months, we’ve focused on posting news, tips, and discussions relevant to your food industry concerns. Nelson-Jameson is aiming to get the practical and extensive knowledge we have about the industry to be just a click away for all of our customers. Topics ranging from safety to replacing electrodes have been dealt with so far, with a wide spectrum of topics to come.

It is far from a one-way mode of communication though. Our greatest excitement about using these new forums comes from the fact that they will provide a convenient and quick place for customer and vendor insight, concerns, comments, etc.! So, be in touch! Let Nelson-Jameson know what you would like to see and what you think of topics at hand on Facebook®, Twitter, and on “The Wide Line” Blog. We hope to hear your voice! Be sure to keep checking in with Nelson-Jameson for new posts, updates, and product news!


Chloride Analyzer Sales up Dramatically

At Nelson-Jameson, we try our best to answer our customer questions efficiently and correctly. Below is an important question about Chloride Analyzers which should be considered by our food industry audience.

Customer Question:  Why has there been strong demand recently for the Nelson-Jameson M926 Chloride Analyzer?

Nelson-Jameson’s Answer:  Salt is the largest source of added sodium in most food products.   Of course salt is added as a flavor enhancer and it is also used to lower water activity and create a barrier to dangerous microbes. 

Unfortunately salt, and the sodium that comes with it, has been implicated in hypertension leading to cardiovascular disease and strokes.   Consumer movements such as the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), a coalition of public health and food retailing concerns, have responded by recognizing companies that employ effective salt management programs.  Many food companies which use salt as a major ingredient including Unilever, Kraft Foods, and Heinz have acknowledged NSRI and are committed to following best practices for responsible salt reduction in their products.   Acting on this mandate is also necessary for them to avoid lost market share among their retail customers.

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New Products on the Horizon… Are Now Here!

About a month ago, I posted a blog New Products on the Horizon describing some of the new and exciting products that were in the works for the Production and Material Handling category.  Well, I am here to happily tell you that what once started out as a few customer requests here and there, has now been converted into a reality. I have worked with one of our vendors; REMCO, to expand the offering of orange color-coded products. We have added orange items from floor brooms and squeegees to dustpans and pails. We now offer an abundance of orange tools that are available to help ensure that every in-plant zone or task has its own distinct color.

To see all of the recently added orange tools, please click on the links below for a full color iamge of our available orange tools.

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