Abstract

Mike Dudbridge, author of the book 'Handbook of Seal Integrity for the Food Industry' discusses the problems of seal failure and best practice for maintaining seal integrity in food packaging operations. The perfect seal is one that carries out its function for the life of the product and both retains and protects the product to the desired level. The first step in seal management is to ensure that clear standards are set for the performance and testing of the seals being produced. The second step is to set up a testing system for seals. Robust methods of filling packs without contaminating the seal area are essential as seal contamination is the largest cause of seal integrity failures. The use and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures is important in the operation of sealing machines. Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) is essential to the performance of sealing machines. Training of machine operators and awareness by junior and middle management is vital if seal integrity performance is to be improved.