NIR Moisture Measurement That Works

2 Jan 2026  |
In food manufacturing, precise moisture control is essential to ensure product quality, extend shelf life, and maintain food safety. Moisture plays a pivotal role in determining the texture, flavor, and durability of food items. Poor moisture management can result in issues such as microbial contamination, increased waste, and financial losses. Excess moisture can spoil products, foster microbial growth, and weaken packaging, while inadequate moisture can leave items dry and unappealing to consumers.

Proactive Avoidance

Continuous moisture monitoring provides proactive avoidance of potential issues caused by out-of-spec moisture levels. MoistTech delivers rapid, non-contact, highly accurate results. Raw ingredients like flour, rice, and other commodities often vary significantly in moisture composition. Without proper control, these inconsistencies can disrupt production processes, leading to out-of-spec products and material waste. Modern advancements in technology have made it possible to measure and control moisture levels with greater precision, helping manufacturers optimize every stage of production.

Improving Safety

Maintaining appropriate moisture levels in food is crucial for safety and longevity. High moisture content can foster microbial growth, including bacteria, yeast, and mold, increasing the risk of contamination. By keeping moisture levels below critical thresholds—typically around 10% for many food products—manufacturers can significantly reduce these risks and ensure compliance with rigorous food safety standards.

Moisture control also plays a central role in extending self-life. Packaging systems often incorporate controlled air environments to maintain specific moisture levels, protecting products from spoilage or degradation. Effective moisture management ensures that food products maintain their quality from production to consumption. Proper moisture control also minimizes economic losses caused by spoiled goods. 

Moisture in Soft Foods & Pet Food

In the fast-paced world of food processing, innovation is the key to staying ahead. MoistTech’s game changing Food Grade Sanitary Valve Connection revolutionizes the way manufacturers measure moisture in their products. It’s a solution that’s transforming quality control in food production.

Imagine being able to instantly measure moisture levels in your chocolate, soft cheese, or favorite condiment as it flows through the production line. That’s exactly what this technology enables. By integrating seamlessly with MoistTech’s IR-3000 series of online sensors, the Food Grade Sanitary Valve Connection provides real-time moisture measurements without wasting a single drop of product.

Top of the Line Innovation

What sets this solution apart is its adaptability. Whether you’re producing pet foods, creamy sauces or rich chocolates, the Food Grade Sanitary Valve Connection can be integrated into various process pipelines. It allows the product to flow directly against the NIR detector, providing accurate measurements without risking contamination.

In an industry where hygiene is paramount, MoistTech hasn’t cut any corners. The Food Grade Sanitary Valve Connection is designed with easy cleaning and maintenance in mind, meeting the stringent hygiene standards of the food industry. This means manufacturers can implement continuous, real-time moisture monitoring without compromising on sanitary conditions or product integrity.

The impact of this technology extends beyond just quality control. By enabling more precise moisture management, it also contributes to energy efficiency. Drying processes can be optimized, reducing energy consumption and contributing to more sustainable manufacturing practices.

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MoistTech Corp. is the original manufacturer of Near-Infrared (NIR) technology in the Industrial Moisture industry, manufacturing a range of on-line sensors & at-line instruments for moisture measurement and real-time moisture process control. Non-contact and insensitive to material...

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