Why is precise temperature measurement during industrial meat thawing so important?

In industrial food production, the quality of the final product begins at the raw material thawing stage. Proper thawing of meat determines its texture, nutritional value and microbiological safety. If the thawing process takes place under uncontrolled temperature conditions, the meat can lose valuable properties, deteriorate flavor and even pose a risk to the consumer. Accurate temperature measurement allows producers to determine precisely when meat is optimally prepared for further processing. As a result, plants minimize the risk of quality defects, avoid costly raw material losses, and consistently meet stringent food safety standards, protecting their reputation in the market.

How do you ensure the highest quality meat products with precise thawing control? The customer challenge

Our client is a leading producer of premium smoked meats - from traditional sausages to cabanos to top-quality smoked meats. Their products reach the tables of the most demanding consumers, so every stage of production must be carried out with maximum precision. A particular challenge is temperature control during thawing of meat, which determines the final quality of the product. The customer needed a reliable system that would automatically detect when the meat reached 0°C. This would allow him to immediately move on to the next stage of production without risking quality or material loss. Such precise monitoring is necessary to meet the food industry's stringent food safety standards and to avoid costly mistakes that could affect the brand's reputation.

How does automation and real-time temperature control optimize the meat thawing process? Our solution

In practice, our solution is based on JUMO Wtrans T wireless temperature probes, which we deploy directly in the defrost chambers, at key points in the process. These probes take continuous temperature measurements in the range of -40°C to 0°C and transmit the readings wirelessly in real time to the central PLC JUMO variTRON 300. The device continuously analyzes process parameters, and when the meat reaches the critical temperature of 0°C, it automatically triggers an alarm to inform operators that the product is ready for the next stage of production.

The alarm allows operators to take immediate action so that meat does not remain in the thawing chamber longer than necessary, preventing deterioration of the raw material. The system is complemented by JUMO smartWARE Evaluation software, which visualizes data in easy-to-read graphs, giving operators a complete view of the process and the ability to analyze temperature trends based on historical data. This allows them to easily adjust thawing process parameters, avoid human error and minimize material losses. The whole creates a reliable system that guarantees stability and high production efficiency.

How has the automation of meat thawing translated into better quality meats? Customer benefits

Precise temperature monitoring during meat thawing has allowed the client to make a real improvement in the entire process of sausage production. Thanks to the fact that the system alerts the staff exactly when 0°C is reached, workers can instantly move the meat to the next stage, eliminating the risk of holding or prematurely removing the raw material. The result? Significantly less material waste and higher production efficiency.

The customer also noticed a marked improvement in product quality. Accurate maintenance of temperature parameters throughout the thawing stage ensures that the meat is perfectly prepared for further processing - without quality defects and in accordance with food safety standards. Automatic alarms allow for immediate response, which minimizes the risk of any deviation from the set parameters.

There is also a major benefit in reducing the costs associated with manual temperature measurement. Thanks to automation, workers can focus on more important tasks instead of wasting time on manual inspections. What's more, the intuitive SCADA system makes it easy for operators to control process parameters on an ongoing basis, generate reports and monitor production remotely, which has greatly improved the comfort and efficiency of their daily work.

### About the author

My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been involved in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I express my creativity by creating collages from newspaper clippings. I like to spend my free time actively, walking my dog or running.

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