What steps should be taken when a metal detector rejects a product on the production line?

When a metal detector rejects a product on the production line, several steps should be taken to investigate the cause of the rejection and prevent further contamination. First, the rejected product should be immediately removed from the production line and quarantined to prevent it from being reintroduced into the process. Next, the rejected product should be carefully inspected to locate and identify the metal contaminant. If the metal fragment is found, it should be analyzed to determine its type and source. The production line upstream of the metal detector should be thoroughly inspected to identify the source of the metal contamination. This may involve checking equipment for worn or damaged parts, inspecting raw materials for metal fragments, and reviewing maintenance records. Corrective actions should be implemented to eliminate the source of the metal contamination. This may involve repairing or replacing damaged equipment, implementing stricter raw material inspection procedures, or improving maintenance practices. The metal detector's sensitivity and calibration should be verified to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Additional product from the same batch as the rejected product should be inspected to determine if there are any other contaminated products. All findings, corrective actions, and verification steps should be documented in a metal detector rejection log. For example, if a metal detector rejects a package of ground beef, the rejected package would be set aside, inspected for metal, and if metal is found, the grinder would be inspected for worn parts. These steps help prevent contaminated product from reaching consumers and identify and address the root cause of the contamination.