No one wants to find a piece of plastic in their food or a foreign object in their medication. However, contamination by foreign bodies remains one of the leading causes of product alerts and recalls in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Moreover, a metal fragment can cause failures in the production line. Failing to detect such contaminants in time can have serious consequences: health risks for consumers, damage to machinery, and reputational loss for the affected company.
In this context, maintaining consumer confidence in product safety is essential. Consequently, safety standards and robust systems for detecting physical contaminants have become critical priorities. Contemporary regulations—both within the European framework and internationally—require increasingly rigorous measures for risk prevention and control.
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In the European Union (EU), for example, all food businesses or manufacturers of food-contact materials must comply with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. This mandatory, preventive framework is designed to identify hazards and establish critical control points to minimise risks. Similarly, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries operate under stringent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), which includes comparable review procedures to prevent product contamination.
A key aspect of HACCP is traceability: the ability to track materials and rapidly identify any potential contaminant before it reaches the consumer. In other words, maintaining high hygiene standards alone is not sufficient; it is equally essential to detect and trace any foreign object that may enter the production chain.
This was precisely our focus when developing our new detectable fastening system in halogen-free material—an integrated solution comprising our Cable ties 22 DT and Detectable fixings 26 DT (including Detectable self-adhesive mounts, Detectable screw mounts, and Detectable angle mounts). This system helps reduce the risk of product contamination and ensures compliance with HACCP requirements. Discover more in this article.
Triple detection for maximum safety
For almost a decade, since the introduction of our cable ties 22 DT, we have been providing a tangible solution to the stringent control requirements in areas where the safety of the final product also depends on auxiliary components. Manufactured from our halogen-free U62X material, these cable ties are highly visible, detectable, and compatible with humid environments, aggressive conditions, or frequent cleaning protocols.
The system is now complemented by our detectable sedf-adhesive mounts and detectable fixings, developed with the same focus: mechanical strength, visibility, integration into the installation, and detectability by standard equipment.
One of the major advantages of Unex's detectable fastening system is its multiple-detection capability, acting as a triple safety backup. Our detectable components have been rigorously tested to ensure their identification through three complementary methods:
- Metal detection: Thanks to metal particles incorporated into the material, our Cable ties 22 DT and Detectable Fixings 26 DT can be recognised by metal detectors. Even small fragments of these elements will activate sensors on the production line, halting the process before a contaminant progresses beyond the control point. This is essential in food or pharmaceutical production lines, where metal detectors are commonly installed to intercept any foreign metallic particles.
- X-ray detection: Unex's detectable fastening elements are also detectable by X-ray inspection systems commonly used in packaging lines and quality control. These systems, particularly prevalent in industries such as meat processing, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics (e.g., for inspecting blister packs or batches of cosmetics), can identify our components within the product or packaging.
- Visual Detection: At a glance, our components stand out thanks to their blue colour, which contrasts sharply with most foodstuffs and products, enabling immediate identification. Should a cable tie or mount become dislodged and fall into a working area, it can be quickly spotted by personnel during routine visual inspections. This distinctive colour provides an added layer of safety, allowing components to be detected even in environments where electronic detection equipment may not be present at every stage—such as during cleaning or manual maintenance operations.
The combination of metal detection, X-ray detection, and visual detection provides a triple safety filter, tailored to the specific needs of each industry. This approach significantly reduces the risk of final product contamination.
With over 60 years of experience in developing insulating solutions for cable routing, protection, and fastening, Unex has established itself as a benchmark in the electrical industry. Our long-standing track record has enabled us to understand the specific requirements of sectors where safety and hygiene are paramount, such as the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.
A comprehensive system for critical industries
Safety in industry cannot be compromised. The food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors share a common imperative: rigorous control of foreign body contamination risks.
In addressing this need, deploying a comprehensive detectable fastening system like ours is not merely an advantage but an operational necessity.
At Unex, we respond with an integrated solution—fully compatible with existing inspection systems, validated under real-world conditions, and designed to fit seamlessly without altering critical processes. Because detectability is more than just a product feature: it is a tool for safety, quality, and compliance.
With this system, we strengthen our commitment to industry: to help ensure that every production line, every controlled environment, and every sensitive operation runs with maximum reliability. Unex. Keeping you safer.
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On the Unex blog, we cover a wide range of topics of interest and share experiences from our clients. We remind you that all legal information and information regarding compliance with applicable regulations can be found on our official website. We invite you to consult it for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding
