5 Questions with Paul Gaertner

In the food processing industry’s quest to reduce foreign object contamination, metal detectable products have become a critical tool in helping achieve that success. Paul Gaertner, president of Detectapro Products, has been helping food processors work towards zero percent foreign object contamination for more than 15 years.

1. What is the BRC Global Standards?

The BRC Global Standards for food safety is developed by food industry experts from retailer, manufacturer and foodservice organizations. First published in 1998, now in its eighth issue, it provides a framework to manage product safety, integrity, and quality. BRC Global Standards focuses on areas regarding, but not limited to: Auditing areas which often have the highest rate of product recalls and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) based around food safety programs.

2. How does Detectapro fit in with the BRC?

The latest BRC Global Standards has nine sections covering various issues relating to food safety. Section 4 refers to Site Standards. Section 4.9.6 refers to Other Physical Contaminants and Section 4.9.6.2 reads as follows: “Pens used in open products areas shall be controlled to minimize the risk of physical contamination (e.g., designed without small parts and detectable by foreign-body detection equipment).” Detectapro as a company is defined by Section 4.9.6.2. Our entire product line is defined, more or less, by the language laid out in the section.

3. Does BRC 4.9.6.2 only refer to metal detectable pens?

It’s not just about detectable pens. Although our 100% Metal Detectable Pens are a large part of our business, all Detectapro products are 100% detectable and abide by the language in the 4.9.6.2 requirement regarding small parts. All our products are molded without metal springs or other small parts that could separate from the detectable body during usage. Other items such as detectable cable ties, markers, scrapers, knives, and key hole tags also comply with section 4.9.6.2. and have no small parts.

4. Does Detectapro carry liability insurance?

Yes we do carry liability insurance. All of our products are made in the U.S. or in the UK and are produced in facilities where quality control is measured on every product produced. For example, the molding of pens and cable ties requires highly detailed molds with very tight tolerances. When people reach for our products, they expect them to work every time. The processing floor is no place for poorly manufactured products. Products created in China or Eastern Europe often use inferior molds and inferior detectable components, thus creating inferior products. These products do not have liability insurance. Inferior products often break and/or become casualties of the small parts language in section 4.9.6.2. Many HACCP certification programs require liability insurance. Have comfort in the knowledge that Detectapro products carry liability insurance.

5. How do I find out more about BRC Global Standards?

Feel free to email me directly at: Paul@Detectapro.com, and I’ll be happy to send you the PDF of the new Global Standard Food Safety 8. In many instances, processing companies looking to do business with larger retail brands need to have programs in place regarding BRC Global Standards and HACCP. Besides offering a great product line of 100% detectable products, Detectapro is also here to help any way we can.