Why Are Metal Detectable Pens Used In The Food Industry?

To put it simply, metal detectable pens are used to minimise the risk of contaminating food products. In the food processing industry, one of the most common foreign materials found in food is metal, and these fragments can be unintentionally introduced to food products and become dangerous to consumers. 

To ensure that rigorous product integrity requirements are upheld in the food industry, pens used in these environments must be food safe. This means that ordinary ballpoint or fountain pens are a no-go, and instead, metal detectable pens must be used. These detectable pens remain food safe because no ink or other substance is used, and no indentations are made, meaning there is no risk of contamination.. 

What are the main risks of using pens in the food industry?

In the case of even just 1 ordinary pen becoming contaminated in a food factory,  production lines can shut down, products can be recalled, or in the worst-case scenario, consumers may even ingest one or more of these foreign bodies, posing a real threat to their health. 

Even with the use of metal and x-ray detectors, it is very unlikely that small parts would be detected, for example the pen’s coil spring. Often a wrong assumption is made that these springs are detectable because they are metal. However, as a spring is simply a coiled piece of wire, the ‘signal’ omitted is not significantly different enough to the background signal of the product (especially wet products such as ready meals), and has a very negligible chance of being detected.

How metal detectable pens solve this problem

Metal detectable pens, such as those stocked here at Morsafe Supplies, feature a fully metal and X-Ray detectable housing – even small fragments of these pens can be detected and rejected by your metal detection equipment. The use of these pens will prevent the costly implications of food contamination and provide peace of mind during food production.  

The Best Metal Detectable Pens For Your Business:

Metal Detectable & X-Ray Visible J800 retractable pen with lanyard loop-Blue ink blue housing

Our Shatterproof, Metal Detectable and X-Ray Visible Retractable Pens with Anti-Microbial additive are specifically designed for the food industry and contain approx 10,000 metres of Non-Toxic Food-Safe Ink. 

Their chunky design ensures they are comfortable for you to write with and easier for you to pick up. You can use these pens in ambient environments down to 5° and they have been proven to work well in floury conditions too.

Metal Detectable & X-Ray Visible Retreeva retractable pen with clip-Red ink blue housing

The Retreeva Metal & X-Ray Detectable Retractable Pens feature Red Foodsafe Ink and provide maximum detectability. With its unique cartridge suspension, the user can enjoy a firm writing experience without the need for a metal spring. These pens are also incredibly safe under duress due to being moulded from shatter resistant polymers (to avoid splintering if crushed). 

Metal Detectable & X-Ray Visible Metal Stick Pen without Clip-Black

This metal pen is made using 2 different types of metal to offer the best magnetic and metal detectable/X-Ray detectable qualities. This product is chrome plated in a decorative nickel-chrome system, and provides a tarnish resistant, clear deposit on nickel plating. The deposit is hard and therefore resistant to abrasion and wear. 

For all of your metal detectable needs, take a look at our wide range of metal detectable products, which range from metal detectable pens to metal detectable tags and everything in between. 

Written by Kate, for MorSafe Supplies.