New promise of one-touch texture analysis

The equipment promises to save processors time and money by enabling fast and easy texture evaluation to reduce off-specification production costs and product waste.

Since consumers judge the quality of their food through texture evaluation, it is important to maintain consistent texture standards through a routine system of objective monitoring.

It is controlled by a liquid crystal display touch screen which, Foodtech says, has a straightforward interface for quick and easy food testing. Further benefits are that it requires minimal staff training and doesn't require a PC for testing.

Tests can be performed at the click of a button and regularly used tests can be saved as 'favourites' for instant test recall and setup. Password protection safeguards the data and test setups.

According to Foodtech, the TMS-Touch can determine the textural properties of almost any food product, including baked goods, confectionery items, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and meats. Test methods such as breaking, snapping, tension, shearing, bulk analysis, compression, penetration and extrusion tests are all easily performed.

Foodtech president Shirl Lakeway Junior says: "For an all-in-one routine food texture measurement system, the TMS-Touch is the ideal solution without the complexity of a fully featured, research instrument." ​

The full range of test cells, probes and fixtures offered by Foodtech are available for use with this system. Multiple test programmes can be stored and created and there are five favourite buttons for direct access to frequently used programmes. The 10 ranges of intelligent loadcells can be changed in seconds.

Should processors' requirements change, an upgrade path enables an advanced test programme mode.

Foodtechcorp: 00 1 703 444 1870