Metal Detectors Keeps Marsha's Buckeyes Safe

Known as the “Buckeye State” after the buckeye tree, Ohio is also well known for candy Buckeyes, confections made in the shape of the nut from this famous tree. One of the best known producers of these candies is Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes of Perrysburg, Ohio which was established in 1984 when Marsha Smith wanted to make a little extra money and began making Homemade Buckeyes in her kitchen using her mother-in-law’s recipe. Marsha’s Buckeyes proved so popular that two local stores began to stock the candy. Over the years, one of these stores, Andersons General Store, grew from one store to seven and with each new store opening, Marsha’s business also grew. For the first 14 years, Marsha continued to make her buckeyes at home but, when Cracker Barrel Restaurants came to her door, relocation to a larger scale production facility became necessary. Cracker Barrels now carry Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes, in over 550 locations, the recipe and taste have stayed the same although the production methods have changed to comply with modern food safety standards, including the installation of S+S Inspection metal detection equipment as part of their food safety program.

Since recently opening their modern facility, the company has installed its first metal detection system to be able to assure its customers that the product is as pure and wholesome now as it was all those years ago. Quality is a key component in the new production facility and the same approach was carried through to the choice of the metal detection system. A team of senior executives visited Pack Expo 2010 to investigate the availability of suitable systems and selected the GENIUS+ metal detector and SANICON conveyor system from Chicago based S+S Inspection Inc. This system is designed specifically for incoming ingredients, in-process and end of line inspection applications in the food industry, where high detection sensitivity combined with conformance to current food safety such as HACCP standards is paramount. The S+S Inspection solution was judged to best meet the company’s food safety requirements at a very attractive price.