How a Combined Metal Detector & Checkweigher Improves Quality Control for Ready-to-Eat Chicken Rice Meals
Growing Demand for Ready-to-Eat Chicken Rice Meals Drives Higher Food Safety Standards
Ready-to-eat meals have become one of the fastest-growing segments in the global convenience food market. Among them, Ready-to-Eat Chicken Rice Meals are widely supplied to supermarkets, airlines, convenience stores, vending machines, hospitals, schools, and online grocery platforms.
As consumer demand increases, food manufacturers face stricter quality control requirements. Every packaged meal must meet declared net weight while remaining completely free from metal contamination before leaving the factory.
International retailers and food safety standards such as HACCP, BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000, and FDA regulations require 100% inspection of finished products.
To meet these requirements, many manufacturers are replacing separate inspection equipment with an integrated solution that combines metal detection and dynamic weighing in one compact system.
Customer Background
A ready-meal manufacturer exports microwaveable chicken rice meals to major supermarket chains across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Their product range includes:
- Grilled Chicken with Rice
- Teriyaki Chicken Rice
- Chicken Curry Rice
- Black Pepper Chicken Rice
- Roasted Chicken Rice
Each meal is packed in a CPET or PP tray, sealed with film, labeled, and then transferred to the final inspection area before cartoning.
The production line operates at high speed, processing thousands of meals every shift.
Customer Challenges
The customer previously used separate metal detection and checkweighing equipment, which resulted in:
- Excessive production line length
- Increased installation costs
- More maintenance work
- Multiple operator checkpoints
- Lower production efficiency
- Difficult product changeovers
At the same time, supermarket customers required tighter control over package weight and stricter contamination prevention.
Fanchi-tech Solution
Fanchi-tech supplied a Combined Metal Detector & Checkweigher, allowing the customer to complete both inspections in one continuous operation.
The compact design reduced installation space while improving inspection efficiency.
Step 1 – Metal Detection
Each sealed chicken rice meal first passes through the high-sensitivity metal detector.
The system accurately detects:
- Ferrous metal
- Non-ferrous metal
- Stainless steel fragments
Any contaminated tray is immediately rejected, preventing defective products from entering secondary packaging.
This significantly reduces the risk of product recalls and protects brand reputation.
Step 2 – Dynamic Weight Inspection
After metal detection, every tray enters the dynamic checkweigher.
The system compares each package with preset weight tolerances and automatically identifies:
- Underweight meals
- Overweight meals
- Qualified products
Meals outside the acceptable weight range are automatically rejected, ensuring compliance with labeling regulations while minimizing product giveaway.
Why This Machine Is Ideal for Tray-Sealed Ready Meals
Two Inspections in One Compact System
Instead of installing two independent machines, manufacturers only need one integrated inspection station.
Benefits include:
- Reduced production line footprint
- Lower equipment investment
- Easier installation
- Simplified maintenance
- Improved production efficiency
Designed for Tray-Packaged Meals
The conveyor system provides stable transportation for sealed meal trays, reducing vibration during weighing and ensuring reliable inspection results.
Suitable packaging includes:
- CPET trays
- PP trays
- PET trays
- MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging)
- Vacuum-sealed trays
Hygienic Stainless Steel Construction
The food-grade stainless steel frame is designed for demanding food processing environments.
Features include:
- Easy cleaning
- Corrosion resistance
- Moisture resistance
- Long service life
Suitable for chilled and ready-meal production facilities.
Intelligent Touchscreen Control
Operators can easily:
- Save multiple product recipes
- Switch between different meal sizes
- Adjust metal detector sensitivity
- Set weight tolerance limits
- View production statistics
- Monitor reject history
This greatly reduces setup time during product changeovers.
Automatic Reject System
The integrated reject device removes any product that fails either inspection.
Rejected products include:
- Metal-contaminated meals
- Underweight trays
- Overweight trays
Only qualified products continue to cartoning and palletizing.
Customer Benefits
After installation, the manufacturer achieved measurable improvements:
- 35% reduction in production line footprint
- One integrated inspection station instead of two separate machines
- Higher inspection efficiency
- Improved package weight consistency
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Lower labor requirements
- Enhanced compliance with international food safety standards
- Increased customer confidence and export competitiveness
Typical Production Line
Raw Material Preparation
↓
Cooking
↓
Portion Filling
↓
Tray Sealing
↓
Cooling
↓
Fanchi-tech Combined Metal Detector & Checkweigher
↓
Cartoning
↓
Case Packing
↓
Palletizing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the machine inspect tray-sealed ready meals?
Yes. It is specifically designed for stable inspection of tray-packed convenience foods, including microwave meals.
Can it detect stainless steel contamination?
Yes. The system detects ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel contaminants with high sensitivity.
Is it suitable for chilled food production?
Yes. The stainless steel construction and hygienic design make it suitable for chilled and refrigerated food environments.
Can one machine perform both metal detection and weight inspection?
Yes. The integrated design completes both inspections in one pass, reducing equipment footprint and operating costs.
Can different meal sizes be stored?
Yes. Multiple product recipes can be saved for quick product changeovers without lengthy setup.
Why Choose Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd. specializes in advanced food inspection equipment for manufacturers worldwide.
Our solutions include:
- Metal Detectors
- Dynamic Checkweighers
- X-ray Inspection Systems
- Combined Metal Detector & Checkweigher
- Customized Inline Inspection Solutions
With extensive experience in food processing applications, Fanchi-tech helps manufacturers improve product quality, reduce production costs, and meet the strict requirements of international retailers and food safety standards.
Contact Us
Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd.
Contact: Kerry
Email: kerry@fanchitech.net
Mobile / WhatsApp: +86 13917555254
Website: www.fanchitech.net
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fanchitech3323?si=gyh-f9JCbjkJ3tEu
Post time: Jul-17-2026