Extraneous matter in at a filter/strainer for milk processing
I am trying to understand the likelihood of whether a piece of plastic can get through a HTST and a homogenizer before entering a vat to make cheese.
I just need a little clarity if someone can give me some:
So we processed milk into cheese using a HTST system. Say we ran milk on Monday a strainer was checked and nothing was found prior to start-up. On the following day a strainer inspection took place and it was noted that a titration vial was found in the strainer and we continue to find pieces one more day (total of 2 days). So if I understand our process correctly we pull milk from a silo which goes through a pump, check valve, a strainer, balance tank, into the HTST and homogenizer into a vat for cheese making. What is my likelihood that plastic got into my vat. It seem like 99% of the plastic vial was recovered and all product is on hold. How can I prove no plastic will be in our product?
I see, do you know what the object was and have an idenitcal one so you can see how much of it you have recovered?Kind regards,Tony
Yes. We recovered about 62% of the is plastic valve with our check valve and strainer. Which is right before our balance. I guess my concern is whether or not I should be worry about the plastic being in our finally product after the HTST and homogenizer due to us not recovering 100%.
And no strainer is located up stream.
No strainers are located upstream after the balance tank.
if you cannot find 100% of the plastic then you must assume it IS in your finished product. Only recovering 62% means your missing 38%----seems like a mathematical equation for a mandated recall to me
You would have to do a risk analysis to be sure this is a risk your company is willing to make(where was the vial introduced, why wasn't it reported when it fell in, is the strainer intact, what size piece will it allow through etc etc