Detectable products are now more than ever an essential in food manufacturing

In fast-paced food production environments, maintaining safety, traceability, and compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential. 

With contamination one of the leading causes of product recalls in the food industry, the tools and materials used in food production must be selected with care. 

Even small items like pens, tags, and cable ties can pose serious risks if they’re not designed with detectability in mind.

According to the Food Standards Agency, physical contamination—including metal fragments and foreign objects—is a major cause of product withdrawals in the UK, with dozens of incidents reported each year. 

For food businesses, preventing these risks requires a proactive approach, and one of the most effective strategies is the use of detectable products.

What are detectable products?

Detectable products are specially manufactured using materials that are visible to metal detectors and X-ray inspection systems. 

This means that if an item accidentally enters the food production stream, it can be quickly identified and removed, helping to prevent contamination before it reaches the consumer.

These products play a crucial role in:

• Maintaining traceability: Tags and labels help monitor batches, ingredients, allergens, and expiry dates.
  
• Minimising contamination risk: Detectable pens, cable ties, and tools reduce the chance of undetected foreign objects.
  
• Ensuring audit compliance: Supports BRCGS, SALSA, and HACCP standards across all stages of production.
  
• Promoting staff safety: Items like gloves and detectable PPE help protect team members while supporting hygiene protocols.
  

Supporting businesses like Planthood

At Complete Safety Supplies, we work with food producers across the UK, from high-volume manufacturers to fast-growing startups.

One such business is Planthood—a plant-based meal delivery company that gained national attention following their appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Planthood uses our metal-detectable loop tags in their production kitchen to clearly label ingredients, identify allergens, and support traceability from prep to packing.

As they continue to scale operations, safety remains a key priority, and our products help them maintain the high standards required in modern food manufacturing.

Everyday tools for safer operations

We offer a wide range of detectable and food-grade products tailored for the food and drink industry, including:

• Metal-detectable loop tags and cable ties
  
• Detectable pens and markers
  
• Sanitisation and hygiene essentials
  
• PPE designed for food environments
  

These products are engineered to perform reliably in busy kitchens and processing lines, helping businesses meet both regulatory requirements and customer expectations.

Why it matters

The right safety supplies reduce the risk of contamination, enhance staff accountability, and keep your operations audit-ready. 

In today’s regulatory landscape, where traceability and food safety are more closely scrutinised than ever, detectable tools are no longer just a best practice—they’re a business necessity.