Portwest Metal Detect Mob Cap (Pk 2800)

Metal Detectable Mob Caps for Food Processing, Manufacturing & Laboratory Environments

The Portwest Metal Detectable Mob Cap (D102) is a specialist disposable head covering engineered for industries where contamination prevention and foreign body detection are critical. Supplied in a bulk pack of 2,800 units, this lightweight spun polypropylene mob cap features an integrated metal detectable strip running over the crown, allowing the cap — or any fragment of it — to be identified and rejected by standard metal detection equipment on production lines. For food processors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and laboratory operators who cannot afford to compromise on product safety, the D102 delivers reliable, cost-effective head coverage that supports your HACCP and quality assurance protocols.

Mob caps are one of the most fundamental pieces of personal protective equipment in any hygiene-controlled environment. They prevent loose hair, skin cells, and dandruff from falling into products, protect the wearer's hair from dust and airborne contaminants, and help businesses demonstrate compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations. The Portwest D102 takes this essential function a step further by addressing one of the most persistent risks in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing — the accidental contamination of products by fragments of the very PPE worn to prevent contamination in the first place.

At Hall-Fast, we supply the full range of Portwest workwear and personal protective equipment, including specialist disposable and limited-life garments designed for hygiene-critical industries. The D102 Metal Detectable Mob Cap is available for immediate order alongside our catalogue of over 200,000 industrial and commercial products.

Why Metal Detectable? Understanding the Critical Safety Advantage

In food processing and pharmaceutical production, metal detection systems are a standard critical control point (CCP) on the production line. These systems scan finished products — and the packaging surrounding them — to identify any foreign metal contaminants before goods leave the factory. They are one of the last lines of defence between a contaminated product and the consumer.

Standard disposable mob caps are made entirely from non-detectable materials. If a standard cap, or a torn piece of one, falls into a product during handling, the metal detection system will not flag it. The contaminated product passes through undetected, potentially reaching the end customer and triggering complaints, product recalls, regulatory enforcement, and serious reputational damage.

The Portwest D102 solves this problem with a metal detectable strip embedded over the crown of the cap. If the cap or any part of it enters the product stream, the metal detector identifies the embedded strip and automatically rejects the affected item. This simple but critical feature closes a gap in the contamination detection process that standard mob caps leave wide open.

For businesses operating under retailer codes of practice such as those set by the BRC (British Retail Consortium), major supermarket technical standards, or equivalent international food safety schemes, using metal detectable PPE in production areas is increasingly becoming a baseline expectation rather than a best-practice option. The D102 helps you meet these requirements efficiently and affordably.

Key Features of the Portwest Metal Detectable Mob Cap (D102)

Metal Detectable Strip Over the Crown

The integrated metal detectable strip is the defining feature of the D102. Positioned over the crown of the cap — the area most likely to come into contact with products if the cap is dislodged or damaged — it ensures that the cap is identifiable by all standard industrial metal detection equipment. This provides an additional critical control point in your food safety management system, supporting compliance with HACCP, BRC, IFS, and other recognised food safety standards.

The strip is securely incorporated into the cap during manufacture, meaning it cannot detach or shift during wear. This reliability is essential — a detectable feature that falls off the cap before the cap itself enters the product stream offers no protection at all.

Elasticated Band for Easy, Secure Fitting

The D102 features a fully elasticated headband that stretches to accommodate a wide range of head sizes comfortably and securely. The elastic ensures the mob cap stays in place throughout the working shift, even during active tasks involving bending, reaching, and moving between workstations. A mob cap that slips off or needs constant readjustment is both a hygiene risk and a productivity drain — the D102's secure elastic fit eliminates both concerns.

The elasticated band also makes the cap quick and easy to put on and take off, which is important in high-throughput environments where staff may change headwear multiple times during a shift — for example, when moving between different hygiene zones or when replacing a cap that has become soiled or damaged.

Pleated Design for Efficient Storage

The D102 is pleated when packed, compressing each cap into a compact, flat profile that maximises storage efficiency. A pack of 2,800 units occupies a fraction of the shelf space that the same number of non-pleated caps would require. For businesses that consume large volumes of disposable headwear daily, this space-saving design means fewer deliveries, less storage space dedicated to consumables, and a tidier, more organised PPE dispensing area.

The pleated construction also means the cap opens out easily and fully when removed from the pack, ready for immediate use without the need to unfold, shake out, or otherwise prepare the cap before putting it on.

Lightweight 100% Polypropylene Construction

The D102 is manufactured from 100% spun polypropylene at a fabric weight of just 10g. Polypropylene is the industry-standard material for disposable hygiene headwear, valued for its combination of lightweight comfort, breathability, moisture resistance, and hypoallergenic properties. At 10g, the fabric is virtually weightless on the head, allowing wearers to carry out their duties for extended periods without discomfort, heat build-up, or distraction.

Spun polypropylene has a soft, fabric-like texture that sits comfortably against the skin and hair, in contrast to the harsher feel of some cheaper non-woven materials. This comfort factor may seem minor, but in environments where staff wear mob caps for eight hours or more per shift, the difference between a comfortable cap and an irritating one has a measurable impact on morale, compliance, and the consistency with which PPE is worn correctly.

Bulk Pack of 2,800 Units

The D102 is supplied in a pack of 2,800 mob caps, making it a practical and economical choice for businesses that consume disposable headwear in volume. Bulk packaging reduces the per-unit cost, minimises packaging waste, and ensures that you always have an adequate supply of mob caps available to meet the demands of your operation.

For large food production facilities, contract caterers, and multi-site operations, Hall-Fast offers bulk order discounts on top of our already competitive pricing. Contact our sales team on 01623 645645 or email sales@hall-fast.com to discuss volume requirements and pricing.

Technical Specification

Industries and Applications

The Portwest D102 Metal Detectable Mob Cap is designed for use in any environment where hair containment is required and metal detection systems are in operation. Common applications include food processing and food manufacturing plants, bakeries and confectionery production, meat, poultry, and fish processing, dairy processing and packaging, ready-meal and sandwich production, beverage production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cosmetics production, electronics assembly and cleanroom environments, and laboratory and research facilities.

The metal detectable feature is most critical in food and pharmaceutical production, where foreign body contamination can have severe consequences for consumer safety, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance. However, any facility that relies on metal detection as part of its quality assurance process will benefit from the additional safety that metal detectable PPE provides.

Food Safety Compliance and Regulatory Context

In the UK, food businesses are required to implement food safety management systems based on HACCP principles under the Food Hygiene Regulations. These systems require businesses to identify potential hazards — including physical contamination from foreign bodies — and establish critical control points to prevent, eliminate, or reduce those hazards to acceptable levels.

Metal detection is one of the most widely used critical control points for physical contamination in food manufacturing. However, the effectiveness of metal detection depends on the detectability of the contaminants it is designed to catch. Using non-detectable disposable PPE in a production environment undermines the integrity of this CCP, creating a blind spot in the food safety management system.

By specifying metal detectable mob caps such as the Portwest D102, food businesses strengthen their contamination control programme and demonstrate to auditors, retailers, and regulatory bodies that they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent foreign body contamination from PPE — a risk that is specifically scrutinised during BRC, SALSA, and retailer audits.

Many UK food retailers now require their suppliers to use metal detectable or visually detectable PPE in production areas as a condition of supply. Adopting the D102 helps you meet these requirements proactively, reducing the risk of non-conformances during audits and protecting your trading relationships.

Comparing Metal Detectable vs Standard Mob Caps

Standard disposable mob caps serve the basic function of hair containment and are appropriate for environments where metal detection is not part of the quality assurance process — for example, front-of-house catering, hospital wards, and general cleaning operations. They are typically less expensive per unit than metal detectable alternatives.

Metal detectable mob caps like the D102 are essential in any environment where products pass through a metal detector before reaching the consumer. The small additional cost per unit is negligible when weighed against the potential cost of a product recall, customer complaint, or failed audit resulting from undetectable PPE contamination. For any business where metal detection is a CCP, metal detectable headwear should be considered a non-negotiable requirement rather than an optional upgrade.

Complete Your Hygiene PPE from Hall-Fast

The Portwest D102 Metal Detectable Mob Cap is part of a broader range of disposable and limited-life hygiene garments designed for food, pharmaceutical, and laboratory environments. Hall-Fast supplies the full Portwest workwear collection, including disposable coveralls, overshoes, beard snoods, aprons, and visitor coats — everything you need to maintain hygiene standards across your entire operation.

We also supply complementary personal protective equipment (PPE) including hand protection for food-safe gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection for dusty production environments. For food industry workwear including baker's shirts, food trade coats, and hygiene trousers, browse our complete clothing range to outfit your team from head to toe.

Why Order from Hall-Fast?

Hall-Fast has supplied industrial and commercial products to businesses across the UK and internationally since 2006. With over 200,000 products in our catalogue and a reputation built on competitive pricing, fast delivery, and expert service, we make procurement simple and reliable.

When you order the Portwest D102 Metal Detectable Mob Cap from Hall-Fast, you benefit from competitive pricing with our Price Promise guarantee, bulk order discounts available on all products, free UK mainland delivery on orders over £54.99, fast despatch with many items available for next-day delivery, and knowledgeable support from our specialist sales team.

For bulk orders, scheduled deliveries, or technical questions about any product in the Portwest disposable PPE range, contact us on 01623 645645 or email sales@hall-fast.com.

Order the Portwest Metal Detectable Mob Cap D102 today and ensure your hygiene headwear programme meets the highest standards of food safety and contamination control.