Essay on Engineering Materials Technology

The Japanese dairy giant Snow Brand lost a fortune in 2000. Contaminated products wrecked the brand's image. Although the Snow Brand affair is a worst case scenario, no food manufacturer--especially one branded as a 'reputable producer'--would want to risk his business because of badly designed machinery or insufficient food safety measures. Senior managers could face serious legal consequences or even jail for producing foodstuffs unfit for human consumption.

Essentially, all stakeholders are involved when a case such as Snow Brand occurs. The company inevitably suffers financial losses and consumer confidence is damaged, some employees may lose their jobs and could face serious liability charges. Additionally, the whole industry or market sector may be affected. Government legislative bodies may take legal action against companies or individuals and impose heavy fines. The equipment manufacturer also loses face and money, as he may need to replace faulty machinery and customers could demand financial compensation. Most importantly, the consumers involved may get seriously ill or even die.

Manufacturers--and retailers who also process foods (for example slicing cooked meat)--are keen to keep those troubles as far lyon their doorstep as they can. However, the presentation at the latest Amiga Food Tec CCFRA showed that there are still numerous danger areas in the food processing chain. (www.campden.co.uk)

Basically, there are four main recurring problems relating to hygienic design which present their own particular risks to food safety. The first is the use of fasteners, such as nuts, bolts and screws, which can give rise to foreign body issues and result in poor cleanability. Dead spaces are second. These are areas where cleanability is compromised and products are retained within or outside the machine, where they can subsequently re-infect fresh products. Poor or incomplete drainage is another source of contamination..............

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY