The Sweet Spot of Confectionery Safety

Ruby Chocolatier—UK’s Leading Chocolate Maker—Chooses Fanchi-tech FA-MD Series Metal Detector for Uncompromising Quality
For Ruby Chocolatier, the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of chocolate and novelty confectionery, “sweet success” means more than delicious treats—it requires unwavering food safety and compliance. When growing demand outgrew rented metal detectors, and ever-changing product lines called for flexible inspection, the brand turned to Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd. The result? The FA-MD Series Metal Detector—a perfect match for their dynamic production and strict quality standards.

About Ruby Chocolatier: A Legacy of Innovation & Trust

Established in 1890, Ruby Chocolatier boasts over 130 years of crafting iconic confections—from Easter eggs and Advent calendars to chocolate bars, miniature figures, and jelly lollipops. Its secret to longevity? A sharp focus on innovation: it was the world’s first confectioner to create a nut-segregated production area, and now leads the market in nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and egg-free luxury chocolates.
Serving major UK supermarkets, independent bakeries, and European retailers, Ruby Chocolatier operates a 120,000-square-foot, BRC (British Retail Consortium) accredited facility in Norfolk. With production lines running 24/7 to keep up with demand, the brand holds itself to the highest HACCP standards—making reliable inspection equipment non-negotiable.

The Challenge: Flexibility, Compliance, and Cost Efficiency

Ruby Chocolatier faced three critical hurdles that pushed them to replace rented metal detectors with a permanent solution:

Constantly Changing Product Lines: The team manufactures over 800 unique products—ranging from 2kg chocolate Easter eggs to 2-foot-tall chocolate bunnies. Rented detectors required time-consuming reconfigurations between batches, causing costly downtime.
Stringent Hygiene Needs: With nut-segregated areas and allergen-free lines, the facility demands harsh washdowns. Rented machines lacked the durability to withstand daily high-pressure cleaning, risking cross-contamination.
Cost & Compliance: As demand grew, renting detectors became more expensive than buying. Plus, major retailers required proof of consistent metal detection—something a dedicated, traceable system could better provide.

Fanchi-tech’s Solution: FA-MD Series Metal Detector

After auditing Ruby Chocolatier’s production workflows and safety goals, Fanchi-tech recommended the FA-MD Series Metal Detector—engineered specifically for the confectionery industry’s unique needs. The system checked every box, with features designed to solve the brand’s biggest pain points:

Smart Auto-Learn Technology: Automatically calibrates and stores settings for up to 100 different products. For Ruby’s 800+ lines, this eliminated manual adjustments, cutting changeover time by 70% and minimizing downtime.
True Variable Frequency: Unlike single-frequency detectors, the FA-MD auto-selects the optimal frequency for each product—ensuring maximum sensitivity to even tiny metal fragments (e.g., 0.8mm ferrous, 1.0mm non-ferrous) across all confections.
IP69K Ultra-Hygienic Design: Built to survive harsh washdowns, the FA-MD meets the highest ingress protection standard. Its smooth surfaces and sloped edges prevent food buildup, keeping allergen-free lines safe and compliant with BRC standards.
HACCP-Compliant Traceability: The integrated Performance Validation System (PVS) automatically prompts operators to test detector performance at pre-set intervals, generating detailed logs of contaminants found. It also uses an industry-standard OPC system, letting managers integrate data into factory-wide quality networks.

Client Testimonial: Ruby Chocolatier

Tom Baker, Deputy Engineering Manager at Ruby Chocolatier, praised the FA-MD Series and Fanchi-tech’s support:“We’ve relied on rented metal detectors for years, but as our product range grew, they became more of a hassle than a help. The FA-MD Series changed that—its Smart Auto-Learn feature lets us switch between Easter eggs and lollipops in minutes, no manual tweaks needed.
Sensitivity was a big concern for our retail partners, and the FA-MD has exceeded every requirement—we’re catching smaller fragments than ever before. Plus, its IP69K design stands up to our daily washdowns, which is non-negotiable for our allergen-free lines.
Fanchi-tech’s service was top-tier too. From the initial audit to delivery, they listened to our needs, and even got the machine to us ahead of the quoted lead time. Our engineering team has had zero issues—this is exactly the reliability we need for 24/7 production.”

Why Fanchi-tech FA-MD Series Stands Out for Confectioners

For brands like Ruby Chocolatier, the FA-MD Series delivers long-term value beyond basic metal detection:

Future-Proof Compliance: Adapts to evolving retailer COP and BRC standards, so you never fall behind on safety requirements.
Durability for 24/7 Operations: Built with Fanchi-tech’s “Tough for Food” ethos, the FA-MD handles non-stop production without frequent maintenance.
Global Support: Fanchi-tech’s team provides on-site training, remote diagnostics, and quick spare parts delivery—ensuring minimal downtime for your lines.

Ready to Elevate Your Confectionery Safety?

Whether you’re scaling production, expanding your product range, or meeting stricter retailer demands, the FA-MD Series is built to grow with your business.
Contact Kerry Wang at Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd. today to discuss a tailored inspection solution:

Email: fanchitech@outlook.com
Website: www.fanchitechnology.com