Food Safety Modernization Act Drives Need for Robotic Solutions

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposed regulations for the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FEMA) are being issued, food processors are focusing on implementing significant operational changes. Robotics is a solution many food and beverage producers are looking toward to help them reach compliance goals.

The main component of the preventive control measure is the Food Safety plan. A plan must be established by all food handling facilities that are registered with the FDA, and must include a fully documented hazard analysis with preventive controls, monitoring procedures, and corrective actions. Food processors will also be required to document all equipment and processes. The new regulations aim to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply by increasing the focus on contamination prevention, rather than response.

Robotic technology is emerging as a key player in helping food companies to meet these challenges.  In many food-related processes, robotics can be used instead of human labor to ensure consistency of product cleanliness and prevention of contamination. As robotic technology becomes more sophisticated, more processes are becoming easy to automate with precision handling capabilities of non-uniform food productsand achieving higher, more reliable throughput. Advances in robotics integration and control are helping food processors to meet monitoring and documentation requirements, contributing to overall compliance goals.

In addition to food processing, a myriad of other industries are meeting requirements, improving efficiency, and reducing costs with robotic automation technology. Contact us today to discuss your needs!