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Of he major measured process variables, temperature is perhaps the most important in food and beverage. Temperature is not only a key variable in a drying or fermentation process, but often a critical kill step required to make your food or beverage safe to consume.
And if you don't have the records to satisfy regulatory requirements proving critical temperatures were met in every phase of your operationfrom farm to plant to warehouse to retail storeyour process isn't likely under control, and you could be in serious trouble.
Thanks to today's technology, it's not necessary to record temperatures manually on clipboards or even to use a decades-old chart recorder. With modern digital data-logging equipment providing time and date stamps, temperature data pointsalong with all other process parameterscan be logged and stored, meeting 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic recordkeeping, which satisfies FDA, USDA and other regulatory agencies.
If you really fancy a chart recorder, many models today feature digital outputs and data-logging capabilities. More than just meeting FDA or USDA HARPC/ HACCP requirements, today's technology helps senior management get a handle on temperature status-faster than ever before.
As an example, Monnit, a supplier of remote temperature monitoring systems, helped Hershey's Ice Cream move several of its old cooler temperature tracking systems (tactographical charting, where a pen scribes a line on a round chart) over to a wireless temperature tracking and monitoring system. Hershey's previous process involved mailing the charts to headquarters, where they were reviewed and stored (physically). Senior management had no way of being alerted of issues, and the main office had a several-day delay in getting information. Now, the company has instant access to temperature data from anywhere, and alerts are sent immediately if there is an issue. The processor also maintains all of its data digitally, so it's no longer necessary to physically store paper charts.
There's more flexibility with temperature instrumentation today-whether it's a fixed-location sensor or convenient handheld devices that offer internal storage or wirelessly connect to external storage, either on premises or in the cloud. Even fixed-location sensors can be connected wirelessly for locations where...