X-Ray Inspection & Metal Detection For Foil & Composite Packaging

Glass, metal and many non-metallic substances can be identified within food packaging using x-ray technology, even if the product is frozen.

We offer simultaneous inspection for common manufacturing and packaging faults.

Typical examples include:

• Large metal or dense fragments in whole case inspection
• Small metal, glass, stone, or bone fragment in individual packs
• Under-fill in cases and individual packs
• Missing components in multi-component trays
• Electrical cable covering and other dense plastics and rubber

Our highest resolution x-ray scanner (the Micron Scan) can detect a sieve wire of just 0.4mm in a single item or a piece of metal just 1.0mm sphere in a whole case. It can also detect glass fragments down to 1.0mm as well as stone, calcified bone and certain rubbers and plastics.

We offer a free and confidential assessment to guarantee the highest accuracy for your particular problem.

The size that we can identify is influenced by several factors:

• The thickness and homogeneity of the food or product within the packaging
• The density and position of the physical contaminant
• The type, size and shape of the packaging
• Whether inspecting single items or whole cases

We offer a reasonably immediate appraisal of what can be achieved with your product or particular container. Simply send a sample of your product for inspection, or call us – we can often evaluate the issue on the phone.

Quality checks and detection of metal and other physical contaminants is possible – to varying resolutions – in almost any packaging.

We can inspect most common metal and foil composite packaging types in the food and drink and pharmaceuticals industries:

• Sachets, usually made from laminated plastic and aluminium
• Semi-rigid packaging, typically single-use aluminium containers to cook or reheat food
• Plastic and foil trays, including multi-component trays

Custom metal, foil and composite packaging can also be inspected including non-consumables such as toys and electrical goods.

The type of contamination or quality issue will affect the resolution that our x-ray scanners can achieve. Please request a free and confidential assessment for your particular packaging and problem.

We regularly provide a safe, fast and effective inspection service for frozen and chilled foods, however we do not offer freezers or refrigerated storage on the premises.

We have multiple hook up points and a large secure yard which can accommodate up to 10 refrigerated trailers.

Working directly from the trailers, each pallet is removed it is temperature monitored throughout the inspection process and then immediately returned to the trailer (or a spare trailer which is then replaced on the next load). A full trailer can usually be inspected and turned round in a few hours.

We regularly inspect chilled and frozen food for well-known brands and this has proven to be the most efficient method.

AIS has many years’ of experience in providing specialist x-ray inspection services. We are ISO accredited to help you achieve compliance for potential recall incidents, HACCP and TACCP.

Over 95% of our business is repeat business from long term clients, mainly within the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Reliability can differ due to many factors. We will always give a clear and honest appraisal of what is achievable and be prepared to demonstrate that to you at any time.

Request a Free Sample Inspection for AIS to evaluate your product and problem.

X-ray inspection which delivers a dose of less than 0.5 Gy to food products is permitted under EU Directive 1999/2/EC.

The dose received by a product passing through an x-ray system is extremely low, typically for an x-ray linescan system it is less than 0.2 milli-Gy.

For more detailed information please visit this European Food Information Council article, or see: “How safe is X-ray Inspection?”

Yes, some of our customisable x-ray inspection systems and metal detectors are available to rent at your premises. These can be hired, subject to availability, on flexible contract periods – usually for an immediate or short term requirement.

Find out more about X-Ray Inspection Equipment Hire.