Benefits of Checkweighers in the Food and Beverage Industry

2024-07-10

In the food and beverage industry, checkweighing is a form of weight control that ensures the amount of product in a package is the same (or slightly more) than stated on the package. But brands should prioritize keeping their products within the correct weight specification for seven reasons.

1. Avoid Losing Profits

Perhaps the most obvious reason to use a checkweigher is to save money. Overfilling is often referred to as “freebies” because it’s material you’re not paying for. Overfilling results in lost profits, which can quickly add up even when the overfill amount and product value are low.

Freebies of just one gram per package can result in thousands of dollars in lost revenue, in addition to the cost of packaging products that can’t make it to market.

2. Meet Consumer Expectations

Customers want value for the price they pay. Whether it’s a pound of meat, a quart of juice or a dozen candies, consistent and accurate weights are a measure of quality that drives consumer loyalty.

3. Comply with Government Regulations

Unlike traditional random package testing, a checkweigher tests 100% of your production line. By testing every package and eliminating any rejects, a checkweigher ensures compliance. Additionally, checkweighing systems can help you avoid fines for packaging violations.

4. Maintain filling and packaging system efficiency

Underweight packaging helps identify problems with packaging filling systems. Whether you are filling individual product packages, bottles of liquids, multi-component containers (such as trays of frozen foods or meal kits), or cartons with multiple packages, weight variations indicate filling issues.

Inline checkweighing provides continuous feedback and instant alerts, allowing processors to maintain optimal packaging efficiency and proper fill weights, volumes, and quantities.

5. Detect defective products or packages

Underweight may indicate a defective product and/or damaged packaging, resulting in product leakage or loss.

6. Improve sampling efficiency and effectiveness

Unlike traditional sampling processes, where multiple packages are tested multiple times during a shift, inline checkweighing systems provide continuous sampling and feedback for each package produced. This eliminates the possibility of sampling errors, reduces the costs associated with drawing, measuring, and recording sample results, and allows for immediate response to any issues.

7. Improve process predictability and efficiency

Using a checkweigher early in the process can ensure downstream performance. For example, confirming raw material batch weight ensures consistent process performance and product quality. Measuring pre-cook weight can prevent inconsistent or incomplete thermal processing that could affect the quality or safety of the finished product.