Key Technology, the US-based designer and manufacturer of process automation systems, has reported that Pure Pacific Organics has become the first group to install its new Optyx with FluoRaptor fluoresence-sensing laser sorter.

The Californian organic fresh-cut produce processor has taken on the technology in a bid to detect and remove defects, extraneous vegetable matter and foreign material based on differing levels of chlorophyll as well as colour, size and shape.

At Pure Pacific, we do everything we can to ensure our product is safe,' said group president and CEO Tom Russell. 'When we went looking for an automated inspection system, removing foreign material was our number one goal. When we saw what FluoRaptor could do – it found things we couldn't even see – we were so impressed.'

He added that it was the machine's ability to spot defects, such as decaying leaves that are still the same colour as the product, as well as removing foreign objects like insects, animal parts, rocks, sticks, cardboard and glass that persuaded Pure Pacific to opt for Optyx.

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