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The sensitivity of a test method is necessary for several reasons, but it is most crucial in ensuring the final product is of high quality. Powdered dairy products (milk powders, infant formula, protein-based powders) are kept in a modified environment to avoid spoilage and maintain the nutritional value of the product throughout its shelf life. Before usage, the product will quickly deteriorate due to oxygen and moisture intrusion, affecting the flavor and texture and finally converting any desirable commodity into a liability. The quantity and impact of oxygen ingress depend on a number of variables, and it will occur in the presence of tiny leaks. Leaks as small as 10 microns will have an immediate impact on the product for smaller packaging types. Current conventional test techniques are completely insufficient for identifying such defects, leaving manufacturing operations exposed to severe quality variations. Applying techniques with greater sensitivity provides the highest level of quality assurance, rather than just locating minor leakage.

Ensuring Dairy Products Package Integrity with VeriPac FLEX Series

For pouches and other flexible packaging, VeriPac FLEX systems are versatile non-destructive package inspection systems. These are available in a variety of configurations for the leak test instrument and the test chamber capacity, with solutions to accommodate small format sachets and stick packs up to bulk size pouches and bags. This is done to accommodate different package specifications and test sensitivity requirements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized the ASTM technique for Vacuum Decay leak testing (F2338) defined in ISO 11607 as a consensus standard for pharmaceutical package testing. This approach is used by VeriPac FLEX Systems.

VeriPac inspection systems are the best alternative for destructive testing since they eliminate the subjectivity of test results and reduce the waste and costs associated with these techniques. Comparing Vacuum Decay leak testing technology to destructive techniques like the water bath or blue dye leak test, it has been found to offer a quick return on investment. The VeriPac test provides reliable critical packaging failure detection and useful packaging process insight.

Technology Overview

The VeriPac test instrument is attached to the appropriate FLEX chamber based on the size range of the packages. Depending on the application, two VeriPac systems combined with the FLEX chamber offer varying levels of leak detection capabilities. The Integrated Flexible test chamber (IFC) is designed for low-headspace sachets or stick packs. Depending on the package size and requirements, the Drawer Style test chamber (D-Series) comes in two common sizes, the Small (D) or Large (DXL). Custom designs are capable of being produced for huge package forms and bulk products. The manner in which the package is tested is the unique difference with VeriPac FLEX systems. Multiple packages can also be tested in a single test cycle.

VeriPac FLEX Series Benefits

• Non-destructive, deterministic and quantitative test method.
• Does not require any sample preparation.
• Perform a single test cycle for several packages.
• USP < 1207> compliant.
• Promote zero-waste initiatives and sustainable packaging.
• Makes the inspection and validation procedure easier.
• Reliable and repeatable outcomes.
• FDA standard and ASTM test methods.
• Inexpensive with a quick return on investment.

Flexible packaging is highly susceptible to routine microleaks that reduce shelf life and contaminate dairy proteins, considered a very high-risk product. VeriPac FLEX is an optimal solution for powdered dairy products package integrity testing. They offer a definite PASS or FAIL in addition to quantitative data corresponding to a leak rate.