Labcell Supplies Decagon Devices AquaLab 4TE Water Activity Analysers to McVitie’s
Labcell has supplied five Decagon Devices AquaLab 4TE water activity analysers to McVitie’s Cake Company for end-of-line quality assurance of Chocolate Cake, Jamaica Ginger Cake, Lyle’s Golden Syrup Cake and other products from the McVitie’s range of cakes. These five AquaLab Series 4TE analysers replace earlier models of AquaLab that have been in use for over 20 years.
Upgrading to the newer models with temperature equilibration has benefited McVitie’s through more stable measurements, plus the improved data handling means readings can be tracked easily and the information can be downloaded, stored andanalysed. With the instruments being used hourly on four different lines, a great deal of data is generated and improved data management is a significant advantage for traceability and specification reviews. Because batches of cakes cannot be released unless satisfactory water activity measurements have been obtained, a fifth analyser is retained as a spare to avoid delays.
Water activity influences a cake’s taste, texture and shelf life, but the most important reason for McVitie’s using AquaLabanalysers is to ensure the safety of its cakes because maintaining water activity below a critical limit inhibits bacterial growth. One of the key features of the AquaLab 4TE is that it makes laboratory-grade measurements in five minutes or less, yet it is robust enough to be installed and operated in a production environment. For McVitie’s, this means batches of cakes can be tested and released very quickly.
When McVitie’s decided to replace its existing AquaLab analysers, the company considered the track record of over 20 years of reliable operation, backed up by first-class support from Labcell, and did not hesitate to request a quote for five new AquaLab Series 4TE analysers. The price was felt to be very fair for high-quality, accurate and fast instruments that are easy to use, easy to clean and, most importantly, ensure the safety of the cakes being tested. In fact the operators have already remarked on the AquaLab Series 4TE’s improved ease of use and cleaning compared with the older model.
During the quotation stage of the project, Labcell provided full support to McVitie’s, answering questions and making sure the McVitie’s staff were entirely happy with the quotation and the AquaLab Series 4TE. When the analysers were delivered, Labcell’s specialist visited McVitie’s and spent a day ensuring that operatives on all four production lines knew how to use theanalysers, answering questions about operation, calibration, cleaning and data management.
Lynda Wilczynski, a QA Technologist with McVitie’s Cake Company, comments: “Labcell have been very helpful from start to finish, they have answered every question we have asked, and support for the manufacturing side was excellent – they could not do enough for us. I would recommend Labcell and their products.”
Labcell is the sole UK distributor for the Decagon Devices AquaLab Series 4TE water activity analyser. Customers interested in upgrading from another model of AquaLab analyser should contact Labcell to ask about trade-in options. Contact Labcell for more information about the AquaLab 4TE or to request a demonstration by telephoning 01420 568150, emailingmail@labcell.com or go to www.labcell.com.
