Measure fruit-piece integrity through the line
An intact piece at the cooker inlet must survive mixing, discharge and filling.
Define the target
Describe size distribution, firmness, concentration and acceptable breakage using an agreed sampling method. A photograph can illustrate the desired appearance but cannot replace an acceptance method.
Review the complete path
Consider agitator geometry, clearances, additions, pump and valve passages, bends and filler nozzles. Slow rotation alone does not establish gentle handling, and a large nominal pipe diameter does not prove every local opening is sufficient.
Compare consistent samples
Sample prepared fruit, cooked batch, transferred product and filled packs. Use the same basis to distinguish damage from the cooker from damage downstream. Include the start and end of discharge if distribution can vary.
Keep the alternative clear
Smooth-only refining or homogenising steps are excluded from the complete piece-containing stream unless the product brief intentionally changes. Separate premixes can use different shear conditions without exposing the fruit pieces.