12100 West 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80228 303.987.8000datatracesales@mesalabs.com
  • enEnglish
    FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedinWebsite
    DataTraceDataTrace
    DataTrace
    Data Loggers for Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity
    • Products
      • Temperature Data Loggers
        • Micro Flex Logger
        • MPRF Temperature Data Logger
        • MPIII Temperature Data Logger
        • Dual Probe Temperature Data Logger
        • Thermowell Data Logger
        • DataTrace Logger Armor
        • Thermal Barriers
        • Data Logger Rentals
      • Pressure Data Loggers
        • MPRF Pressure Data Logger
        • MPIII Pressure Data Logger
        • Data Logger Rentals
      • Humidity Data Loggers
        • MPRF Humidity Data Logger
        • MPIII Humidity Data Logger
        • Data Loggers Rentals
      • Data Logger Rentals
      • Temperature Mapping
      • DataTrace Sentinel System
      • Data Logger Accessories
      • DataTrace Pro
        • DataTrace Pro Software
        • DataTrace Pro Training
      • Other Mesa Products
    • Applications
      • Autoclaves
      • Retorts
      • Ovens – Sterilization, Plastic Curing, Industrial Drying
      • EtO Sterilization
      • Lyophilization
    • Support
      • DataTrace Technical Support
      • Calibration & Repair
    • Documents & Resources
      • Documents & Manuals
      • Certifications
      • Videos
      • Blog
      • DataTracks Newsletter
      • Related Links
      • FAQs
    • Shop Online
    • Downloads
      • DataTrace Pro Software
      • Logger Firmware
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • DataTrace Technical Support
      • Find a Distributor
     
    • Products
      • Temperature Data Loggers
        • Micro Flex Logger
        • MPRF Temperature Data Logger
        • MPIII Temperature Data Logger
        • Dual Probe Temperature Data Logger
        • Thermowell Data Logger
        • DataTrace Logger Armor
        • Thermal Barriers
        • Data Logger Rentals
      • Pressure Data Loggers
        • MPRF Pressure Data Logger
        • MPIII Pressure Data Logger
        • Data Logger Rentals
      • Humidity Data Loggers
        • MPRF Humidity Data Logger
        • MPIII Humidity Data Logger
        • Data Loggers Rentals
      • Data Logger Rentals
      • Temperature Mapping
      • DataTrace Sentinel System
      • Data Logger Accessories
      • DataTrace Pro
        • DataTrace Pro Software
        • DataTrace Pro Training
      • Other Mesa Products
    • Applications
      • Autoclaves
      • Retorts
      • Ovens – Sterilization, Plastic Curing, Industrial Drying
      • EtO Sterilization
      • Lyophilization
    • Support
      • DataTrace Technical Support
      • Calibration & Repair
    • Documents & Resources
      • Documents & Manuals
      • Certifications
      • Videos
      • Blog
      • DataTracks Newsletter
      • Related Links
      • FAQs
    • Shop Online
    • Downloads
      • DataTrace Pro Software
      • Logger Firmware
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • DataTrace Technical Support
      • Find a Distributor

    Food Distribution and Penetration Testing

    January 9, 2018FDA RegulationsBy Adam Reichert

    US Food Plants Testing

    All food plants in the US perform distribution and penetration studies by utilizing a Process Authority (PA), who then files the results with the FDA and/or the USDA.

    Distribution testing can be needed for many reasons that include, but are not limited to:

    • New retorts/autoclaves
    • New loading schemes
    • New container
    • New racking/holding system for container
    • Change in utility supply and/or exhaust
    • Valves
    • Boilers
    • Compressors
    • Drain routing
    • Cooling Water Handling
    • Retort mechanical changes
    • More/fewer plates in heat exchangers
    • Orifice plate change (flow determination)
    • System cleaning (mainly water spray retorts)

    Not all the above require distribution retests, but most do, and in general, are rare. However, 1. And 2. happen regularly at co-packing facilities (facilities which do not have their own labels, but run products for other brands).

    The reasons for doing penetration testing include but are not limited to:

    • New product formulation, container, or loading pattern
    • Change in product formulation
    • Change in meat
    • Change in particle size
    • Change in starch
    • Others
    • Change in container dimensions or shape
    • Change in retort process, i.e. water immersion process vs. water spray process
    • Change in loading pattern
    • Process deviation clearance

    The specific testing requirements at each site depend on the PA. The frequency of the items in the list above depend on the plant itself.  If a plant runs the same thing or a few of the same things (containers and/or products) all the time, they’re less likely to run distribution a lot and they might only run penetration testing if they have a very rare, unclearable deviation.  Co-packers might run distribution, penetration, or both multiple times every day for multiple reasons from the list above.

    Let’s talk data loggers!

    Talk with one of our experts to get your questions answered and see how we can help you solve your data logger pain points.


    Blood BanksFood and beverageIndustrialPharmaceutical
    About the author

    Adam Reichert

    Adam Reichert joined Mesa Laboratories in June, 2017 as the DataTrace Product Manager. In this role, Adam is responsible for defining new products, supporting customer relationships, and using over 10 years of experience as a user of DT products to provide direction to the entire DataTrace team. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Reichert was an R&D Engineer at Sonoco specializing in thermal processing. Adam received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry from The University of Cincinnati.

    Related posts
    New Food Safety Rules
    FSMA: The Sanitary Transport Rule
    November 8, 2016
    Quality System Record
    Quality System Record
    May 13, 2016
    Label Example
    Device Labeling
    April 15, 2016
    Document Control
    Document Control
    April 1, 2016
    Meeting Customer Requirements
    Customer Requirements
    March 4, 2016
    Clean Room
    Control of Equipment
    February 12, 2016
    Have Questions?

    Contact Us!

    Free Download!

    Record your data in real time with our powerful DataTrace Pro software.

    Get it now! >>>

    Introducing the New Micro Flex Logger

    Micro Flex Logger

    Mesa introduces its new Micro Flex logger for use in validating surface temperature environments.

    Learn More

    Data Logger Rentals
    All of our loggers are available to rent whether you need temporary replacements while yours are in calibration, have to perform a single validation study, or just want to try them before you buy.

    Request rentals >>>

    Sign up for our newsletter!
    Stay up to date on industry news, new products and product updates with our DataTracks newsletter.
    Blog Categories
    • Compliance & Validation(28)
    • Data Logger Accessories(7)
    • Data Logger Calibration(3)
    • Data Logger Maintenance(2)
    • Data Logging Best Practices(16)
    • Data Reporting & Software(4)
    • FDA Regulations(19)
    • ISO Regulations(16)
    • News & Events(15)
    • Temperature Data Loggers(10)
    Who is DataTrace?
    Featured Articles
    • New Food Safety Rules
      FSMA: The Sanitary Transport Rule
      November 8, 2016
    • Increase Efficiency, Reduce Labor Costs
      DataTrace Confidential Client; a Case Study
      December 13, 2016
    • End of Repair Service Notice for Taper-tip Flexible Loggers
      April 3, 2017
    About Us
    • About Mesa Labs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Newsletter
    • Corporate Site
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    Contact
    Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
    12100 West 6th Ave.
    Lakewood, CO 80228

    303.987.8000
    datatracesales@mesalabs.com

    Find us on:

    FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedinWebsite
    © 2016 Mesa Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.