X-Ray System Targets Smaller Food Contaminants

Mettler-Toledo’s X34 provides improved detection sensitivity for error-free product inspection

Food manufacturers will be able to identify very small contaminants in a quicker and more reliable manner following the launch of a new X-ray system from the product inspection division of Mettler-Toledo.

The X34 X-ray inspection system provides detection of metal, glass, high-density plastic, mineral stone and calcified bone fragments across a wide range of packaged foods: eliminating costly product recalls and protecting brand reputations. The system also comes with advanced software that enables automated product set-up, dramatically decreasing the chance of human error and greatly reducing the number of false rejects. This makes for more efficient and profitable operations, while delivering excellent return on investment.

“Changing consumer expectations have resulted in an extraordinary choice of food and drink in a variety of cans, jars, bottles, cartons, and plastic containers,” says Mike Pipe, product inspection specialist for Mettler-Toledo. “As food production and packaging methods increase in complexity, the risk of contamination from foreign bodies such as metal and glass has increased. These contamination incidents can lead to expensive product recalls.

“The X34 provides a combination of technologies which enable producers to detect smaller contaminants reliably at high throughputs, ensuring product safety and delivering brand protection.”