RE: Little pieces of shell in clams

From: Jon Pall Hreinsson (jonpall@3x.is)
Date: Mon Nov 20 2000 - 07:48:52 PST

  • Next message: Pamela Tom: "Worm Warning"

    hi,

    I am aware of test made with Scallops, regarding small particles on the
    meat. In this test a leaser sorting machine (from BEST) was used to detext
    the items with small particles. The result where good and the machine
    detected very small particles and sand even if they where invisible to the
    human eye.

    I have not heard of test done with clam, but I don´t see that it should be a
    fundemental difference between the two. Basically the machine detects two
    things: color and degree of hardness. Thus, it can detect particles that is
    of different color than the meat or it can detect particles that are harder
    than the meat.

    I agree that this is in most cases not a regulation issue, but it could
    defentily be a quality issue.

    you can email my for more info on the machine at jonpall@3x.is.

    re,

    Jon Pall

    ps.

    the mail from vvera@imarpe.gob.pe contained a virus (at least according to
    my email virus scanner). You should take notice before you open the
    attachment.

    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-seafood@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-seafood@ucdavis.edu]On
    Behalf Of victor vera
    Sent: 20. nóvember 2000 08:16
    To: SGUTIERR@fundch.cl
    Cc: seafood@ucdavis.edu
    Subject: Re: Little pieces of shell in clams

    Dear Sebastian,

    Shucked clams normally may contain small pieces of shells and sand
    deposits.To the best of my
    knowledge there is no such type of equipment in the market for this type of
    natural residual
    in clams. As you may know clams shells are nonferrous material which does
    not emit any type of
    resonance that will be detected.

    In the United States the shucker-packer of fresh or frozen molluscan
    bivalves have personnel
    in the packing room in their best of their abilities to remove small pieces
    of shells. This
    activity is performed over a skimmer table and the product is washed. Other
    alternatives the
    industry may use at their discretion include cascade washing, or blower
    tanks (forced air)
    which may loose some pieces but have other purpose. But this system is not
    perfect and it may
    still have some small residual pieces that may have escape.

    In terms of HACCP this will not be a significant hazard. If you are thinking
    in terms of
    setting a critical limit for your own firm then for a particulate that is
    nonferrous metal
    then you may set your own limit of detection of larger than 3 mm. (Chapter
    20- Fish and
    Fisheries Hazard Control Guide, 1998)

    Sincerely,

    Angel M. Suárez
    Registered Sanitarian

     Sebastian Gutierrez wrote:

    > Dear Listers,
    >
    > Does any know if there is an equipment or system to detect the presence of
    little
    > pieces of shell in cooked clams?..... (I'm looking for something like a
    "metal detector").
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    >
    > _________________________________
    > Sebastian Gutierrez D.
    > Project Manager
    > FUNDACION CHILE
    > email : sgutierr@fundch.cl
    > Tel (56)(2) 2400309
    > Fax (56)(2) 2419394
    > Web http://www.fundch.cl



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Nov 20 2000 - 07:51:20 PST