What is an IDtect ™ tag?

An IDtect™ tag is a metal detectable moulded polyurethane tag, developed specifically for the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Any tag, part of a tag or tagged item that accidentally enters the production line during the manufacturing process will set off the metal detector alarm, fulfilling a vital role in health and safety compliance.

How does it work?

Background:

Tags used in the production of food and pharmaceuticals have traditionally been disposable and made of paper. Some tags have a foil backing, in an attempt to overcome the issue of foreign bodies entering the food or pharmaceutical chain and failing to be picked up by metal detector screening.

However these tags can have serious drawbacks:

The paper lacks durability and cannot be used in any type of harsh/liquid environment. Any information printed on the paper is likely to become illegible within a short period of time. The foil element (if included) can become detached during handling.

The highly durable polyurethane IDtect™ tag has been specifically designed to withstand prolonged use in a harsh working environment. Any laser printed information it carries will remain legible for the life of the tag.

The metal detectable element in the IDtect™ is an integral part of the tag’s make-up. Therefore metal detector alerts will be activated if a tagged item (or part of a chipped or damaged tag) enters the manufacturing line by mistake.

How is it used?

IDtect™  tags can be attached to chains, conveyors, trolley jacks and other items of equipment that are used in food or pharmaceutical product manufacturing. IDtect™ tags work effectively in both solid and liquid environments.

The tags can be supplied plain, or indelibly marked using laser printing to carry company logos or information - such as batch numbers or safety check date information - for asset management purposes. Clients can send in printing requirements by phone, fax or e-mail.

Why choose IDtect™ tags?

Responsible companies are keen to comply with Health and Safety requirements. Failure to do so can incur heavy fines, particularly if employees or end users suffer physical damage as a result of non-compliance. IDtect™ tags offer a cost-effective, robust solution for tagging and labelling items associated with manufacturing processes.

Using the Ritchey ID IDtect™ printing service can save time and money by simplifying asset management/stock control procedures.

What sizes are available?

RD2000 Flag tag 60mm x 23mm (batch size min 50)

RD3000 Flag tag 94mm x 63mm (batch size min 50)

Tie tag 210mm x 60mm (110mm neck length) (batch size min 50)

Cable Tie sizes (batch size - 100)

385mm x 4.8mm
380mm x 7.6mm
200 mm x 4.6mm
150mm x 3.5mm
250mm x 4.6mm (releasable ties)

What about colour options?

All tags within the IDtect™ range are currently available in blue only. A choice of four colours will be available in the near future. These four colours are being designed for companies that will benefit from using the tags for colour coding. One example of colour coding would be to convey information relating to equipment that needs to be inspected on a quarterly basis.

IDtect™ background notes

Items of equipment used in food or pharmaceutical production should be metal detectable for health and safety reasons. If an item of equipment containing metal, or carrying a metal detectable tag accidentally enters the production line, it will set off an alarm when it passes under the metal detector.

Until the development of the IDtect™ tag, many manufacturers used paper tags to identify non-metal equipment. The other main option available was to use paper tags with a foil backing, to provide a metal detectable element.

Ritchey ID background notes:

Ritchey ID produces custom-designed manual, bar-coded and offers radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for product/equipment management, health and safety compliance and traceability. The majority of tags are pre-printed, but printers for DIY use and specially designed pens are also supplied with some tags within the range.

Industries currently using Ritchey ID products include: petroleum and gas; utilities; archaeology; storage; food; machinery; electronics and telecom.

Product list: blank tags; laser-printed tags; customised tags; bar-coded tags; RFID tags; thermally-printed tags; cable ties; DIY tag printers.

Ritchey ID is part of Animalcare Group PLC, a company involved in animal identification, pet and livestock, grooming and healthcare products and veterinary supplies, as well as liquid chemicals for industry.