ITALY – Sidel has introduced Qual-IS, a digitally intelligent solution that integrates all activities related to packaging quality control, including laboratory, traceability, and sampling.
Qual-IS is a pioneering approach to quality management, focusing on driving quality rather than merely monitoring it.
Over 80% of grocery companies cite significant or catastrophic financial risk from product recalls, with nearly 60% affected by recalls in the past five years. For these companies, quality control and food safety are paramount.
“Qual-IS is our latest digital solution—a smart, dynamic quality control system designed to maintain high levels of quality control through advanced traceability and data analytics,” says Enrico Savani, Product Manager for Sensitive Product Filling.
“Our customers can ensure food safety and quality with Qual-IS, securing consumer satisfaction, trusted brand reputation, and boosting business profitability.”
Qual-IS can be accessed via mobile, desktop, or HMI installed on production lines and laboratory facilities.
It integrates six key components: sampling plan, laboratory management, traceability, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), calibration certificates, and quality status.
At its core, Qual-IS offers traceability. Each bottle receives a unique code containing comprehensive manufacturing information, including preform and cap details, product recipe, production parameters, and critical events.
Sampling is also crucial; Qual-IS includes customizable sampling patterns based on Sidel’s extensive industry experience. These patterns adjust automatically based on microbiological test results and production line variations.
Qual-IS unites quality control data from production and laboratory stages, which are often stored separately. Lab microbiologists can access all relevant information by scanning a bottle’s unique code, which also indicates required quality control tests. Data is presented in a user-friendly dashboard, with customizable reports.
HACCP is mandatory for all aseptic production processes, ensuring food safety for every bottle. Qual-IS displays critical control point status and historical production trends.
By scanning each bottle, operators can retrieve CCP values instantly, providing easy access to historical data and accurate forecasts for future parameters.
Additionally, Qual-IS can create a calibration map for equipment across the aseptic production line and check calibration certificates for critical control point instruments.
A dedicated area within the app shows certificate expiration dates, identified by a color-coded system (green, amber, red). The alert system notifies users when certificates require action.
Finally, real-time quality status across the production line is displayed in a dashboard, with visualized trends, quality key performance indicators, and customizable reports.
“For new entrants to the aseptic market, Qual-IS simplifies the management process. For experienced aseptic beverage producers, it provides a uniform method to manage multiple production lines, analyze data in real time, and uphold high standards of quality control,” concludes Enrico.
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