X-ray protection against food contamination

By Mike Stones

- Last updated on GMT

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Improved protection against the contamination of wrapped confectionery and other food products with metals and plastics is claimed for the new small-size version of Ishida Europe’s X-ray inspection system.

The Ishida IX-EA-2161 has been designed to inspect wrapped products such as confectionery and small trays and bags, with an X-ray that enables the machine to offer higher detection levels than a standard metal detector, according to the company.

“This entry level machine offers small to medium-sized companies an affordable solution for maximum quality control in their packing operations,”​ a spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.com.

Compared with standard metal detection devices, the IX-EA-2161 checks products for a much wider range of foreign bodies, he added.

Product contamination

Paul Griffin, the company’s marketing director, said: “The IX-EA gives more companies the opportunity to introduce the benefits of in-line X-ray inspection.

"Ensuring product quality is vital in competitive markets, particularly given the penalties that can be imposed for product contamination, the costs involved in a product recall and the damage these can cause to the company’s brand or product image. Our new economy X-ray system therefore provides a cost effective solution for brand protection.”

The IX-EA 2161 operates at belt speeds of up to 60 metres per minute and is said to detect metal pieces as small as 0.7mm diameter. In addition to the detection of metal foreign bodies, the device can identify other contaminants composed of glass, stone, rubber and plastic.

It can be customised to individual operator’s needs so that once a foreign body is detected an image of the product piece can be made available, along with relevant statistics such as size.

Inspection process

The IX-EA is also able to focus detection on the most critical parts of a product, so that peripheral areas of a carton or the seal area of a bag can be masked during the inspection process. Pattern masking is also available which allows the detection process to exclude pre-programmed known shapes such as clips integral to the packaging design.

Operated by a touch screen, the sensitivity of the inspection process can be adjusted and up to 100 product settings allow fast changeovers. Also, the conveyor belt can be removed easily for cleaning and replaced without tools, said the company.

No information was available on prices.

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