Physical contamination of food and beverages encompasses foreign material that makes its way into product at some point during growing, harvesting, storage, manufacturing, processing, or distribution. https://www.food-safety.com/rss/339 en-us The new X-ray Reclaim Foreign Material Reinspection Services facility in Dallas will provide in-house and mobile foreign material reinspection, contaminant extraction, application validation, and documented reporting services for regional food, beverage, ingredient, and pet food manufacturers evaluating products affected by suspected foreign material incidents. The new X-ray Reclaim Foreign Material Reinspection Services facility in Dallas will provide in-house and mobile foreign material reinspection, contaminant extraction, application validation, and documented reporting services for regional food, beverage, ingredient, and pet food manufacturers evaluating products affected by suspected foreign material incidents.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11880 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:45:30 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11880-mettler-toledo-to-open-x-ray-reinspection-facility-in-texas Foreign material contamination remains one of the most persistent operational risks in food manufacturing. Foreign material contamination remains one of the most persistent operational risks in food manufacturing.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11866 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11866-foreign-material-by-the-numbers-what-the-2026-benchmark-report-reveals Physical contamination prevention goes beyond end-of-line detection. Learn how strategic inspection points, metal detection, and x-ray technology can strengthen food safety, quality, and operational efficiency. Physical contamination prevention goes beyond end-of-line detection. Learn how strategic inspection points, metal detection, and x-ray technology can strengthen food safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11865 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11865-beyond-detection-how-to-avoid-physical-contamination-in-food-through-a-smarter-inspection-strategy A new FAO technical brief explains how plastic pollution moves through agrifood systems and creates interconnected risks to food safety and human, animal, plant, and environmental health. A new FAO technical brief explains how plastic pollution moves through agrifood systems and creates interconnected risks to food safety and human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11853 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11853-fao-outlines-risks-of-plastic-pollution-to-food-safety-calls-for-one-health-policy-approach The system was developed to reduce the manual intervention and time required for routine performance testing while improving operator safety, consistency, and repeatability on food processing lines. The system was developed to reduce the manual intervention and time required for routine performance testing while improving operator safety, consistency, and repeatability on food processing lines. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11854 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:18:58 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11854-loma-introduces-remote-test-system-for-metal-detectors The third annual Foreign Material Contamination in Food Benchmark Report revealed how often food manufacturers are dealing with contamination, how confident facilities are in their detection equipment, how they are investing, and how they respond when an event happens. The third annual Foreign Material Contamination in Food Benchmark Report revealed how often food manufacturers are dealing with contamination, how confident facilities are in their detection equipment, how they are investing, and how they respond when an event happens.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11834 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:10:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11834-flexxray-survey-shows-how-food-manufacturers-handle-foreign-material-contamination The M50 R-Series AdvancedLine metal detectors are designed for food manufacturers requiring metal detection capabilities alongside traceability, data connectivity, and production line monitoring. The M50 R-Series AdvancedLine metal detectors are designed for food manufacturers requiring metal detection capabilities alongside traceability, data connectivity, and production line monitoring.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11829 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:33:40 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11829-mettler-toledo-introduces-metal-detection-system-with-connectivity-monitoring-capabilities Recall activity in 2026 is sending a clear message that the industry is not facing isolated failures, but rather recurring breakdowns in the systems designed to prevent them. Manufacturers must prioritize four critical areas to minimize the risk of product contamination and recalls heading into 2027. Recall activity in 2026 is sending a clear message that the industry is not facing isolated failures, but rather recurring breakdowns in the systems designed to prevent them. Manufacturers must prioritize four critical areas to minimize the risk of product contamination and recalls heading into 2027.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11819 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11819-unpacking-the-2026-recall-landscape-and-preparing-for-q4 Launching with the X12 LightningBuild X-ray inspection system and C31 LightningBuild checkweigher, the LightningBuild program offers delivery of select product inspection systems within four weeks of purchase order. Launching with the X12 LightningBuild X-ray inspection system and C31 LightningBuild checkweigher, the LightningBuild program offers delivery of select product inspection systems within four weeks of purchase order.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11729 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:59:36 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11729-mettler-toledo-introduces-rapid-inspection-systems-delivery-system The Icon X-ray and Checkweigher Combination System features algorithmic foreign material detection, real-time product flow monitoring, IA+ filtering technology, configurable reject systems, a passive X-ray cooling generator, and data management and system oversight capabilities. The Icon X-ray and Checkweigher Combination System features algorithmic foreign material detection, real-time product flow monitoring, IA+ filtering technology, configurable reject systems, a passive X-ray cooling generator, and data management and system oversight capabilities.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11719 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:38:04 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11719-fortress-introduces-integrated-x-ray-and-checkweigher-combo-system WECO's MXV-Bulk X-ray inspection system identifies and rejects a variety of product defects that show no obvious external signs including empty nut shells, insect damage, and internal mold. It also removes foreign material including stones, glass, ceramics, and embedded metal. WECO's MXV-Bulk X-ray inspection system identifies and rejects a variety of product defects that show no obvious external signs including empty nut shells, insect damage, and internal mold. It also removes foreign material including stones, glass, ceramics, and embedded metal.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11706 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:38:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11706-weco-introduces-multiscan-mxv-bulk-x-ray-inspection-system-for-nuts A new industry resource helps food processors compare X-ray inspection providers using technical capabilities, service offerings, and long-term value metrics. A new industry resource helps food processors compare X-ray inspection providers using technical capabilities, service offerings, and long-term value metrics.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11701 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:52:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11701-abm-equipment-publishes-industry-guide-for-x-ray-product-inspection A new publication from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the growing presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, highlighting ongoing scientific uncertainty about their health effects while outlining recent federal efforts to better understand and reduce exposure. A new publication from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examined the growing presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, highlighting ongoing scientific uncertainty about their health effects while outlining recent federal efforts to better understand and reduce exposure.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11657 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:05:05 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11657-gao-examines-microplastics-sources-health-concerns-and-policy-challenges The X56 DXD+ is a dual-energy photon-counting X-ray inspection system designed for improved detection of low-density physical contaminants in complex packaged food applications. The X56 DXD+ is a dual-energy photon-counting X-ray inspection system designed for improved detection of low-density physical contaminants in complex packaged food applications.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11637 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:52:25 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11637-mettler-toledo-launches-ai-enabled-x-ray-inspection-system-for-packaged-foods The system provides 1,000 millimeters of inspection coverage and supports belt speeds of up to 76 meters per minute. An optional integrated barcode reader enables inspection of mixed cases and supports multilane production environments. The system provides 1,000 millimeters of inspection coverage and supports belt speeds of up to 76 meters per minute. An optional integrated barcode reader enables inspection of mixed cases and supports multilane production environments.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11595 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:11:04 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11595-eagle-introduces-pack-1000-pro-for-x-ray-inspection-of-large-cases-multipacks Moringa oleifera seed extract could potentially serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional alum coagulants for microplastic removal in drinking water treatments, while also allowing for process simplification and cost savings. Moringa oleifera seed extract could potentially serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional alum coagulants for microplastic removal in drinking water treatments, while also allowing for process simplification and cost savings.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11500 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11500-researchers-find-plant-extract-effectively-removes-microplastics-from-drinking-water The line combines PPM’s frying, seasoning, and product handling systems with Key’s optical sorting technology into a unified processing solution, from slicing through packaging. The line combines PPM’s frying, seasoning, and product handling systems with Key’s optical sorting technology into a unified processing solution, from slicing through packaging.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11443 Wed, 20 May 2026 06:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11443-ppm-key-introduce-fully-integrated-chip-processing-line Uniforms designed for food safety are a vital part of every food processing program, helping prevent contamination and streamline audits. Uniforms designed for food safety are a vital part of every food processing program, helping prevent contamination and streamline audits.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11360 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11360-employee-uniforms-a-frontline-defense-against-food-contamination http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11291 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:41:46 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11291-next-gen-fortress-touchscreen-interface-supports-food-safety-compliance The free resource outlines practical ways to identify risks, select the right inspection technologies, and build a proactive foreign material contamination prevention strategy, focusing on five key areas of food safety management. The free resource outlines practical ways to identify risks, select the right inspection technologies, and build a proactive foreign material contamination prevention strategy, focusing on five key areas of food safety management.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11258 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:12:48 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11258-mettler-toledo-offers-guide-to-preventing-physical-contamination In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, Kye Luker, Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, discusses the significant challenge of foreign material contamination, and how food processors can improve detection and inspection with advanced technologies and third-party partnerships. In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, Kye Luker, Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, discusses the significant challenge of foreign material contamination, and how food processors can improve detection and inspection with advanced technologies and third-party partnerships. 

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11236 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11236-flexxray-emerging-technologies-for-improving-foreign-material-detection The system was developed for vegetable processors handling multiple SKUs, mixed products, and frequent production changeovers. COMPASS is ideal for fresh and individually quick frozen (IQF) corn, peas, and green beans. The system was developed for vegetable processors handling multiple SKUs, mixed products, and frequent production changeovers. COMPASS is ideal for fresh and individually quick frozen (IQF) corn, peas, and green beans.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11232 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:28:04 -0400 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11232-key-technology-introduces-compass-optical-sorter-for-vegetable-processing hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) This episode of Food Safety Five discusses a food safety issue that was covered in some of our most-read scientific articles of 2025: microplastics release from food contact materials and contamination of food. This episode of Food Safety Five discusses a food safety issue that was covered in some of our most-read scientific articles of 2025: microplastics release from food contact materials and contamination of food.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11016 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:30:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11016-food-safety-five-ep-23-one-of-2025s-hottest-topicsmicroplastics-in-food hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) The top ten food safety research projects that excited Food Safety Magazine’s audience the most in 2025 covered Listeria monocytogenes (especially related to biofilms), microplastics, Escherichia coli, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), avian influenza in dairy, microbial threats in irrigation water, and food allergens. The top ten food safety research projects that excited Food Safety Magazine’s audience the most in 2025 covered Listeria monocytogenes (especially related to biofilms), microplastics, Escherichia coli, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), avian influenza in dairy, microbial threats in irrigation water, and food allergens.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/11003 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11003-top-ten-food-safety-scientific-studies-of-2025 The new COMPASS optical sorter from Key Technology combines high-performance foreign material contamination detection and removal with gentle, hygienic product handling to help processors enhance food safety and operational efficiency. The new COMPASS optical sorter from Key Technology combines high-performance foreign material contamination detection and removal with gentle, hygienic product handling to help processors enhance food safety and operational efficiency.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10971 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:39:16 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10971-key-unveils-compass-optical-sorter-for-foreign-material-in-leafy-greens To close significant knowledge gaps and inform measures to protect consumers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by Parliament to deliver a scientific opinion on the potential health risks posed by microplastics in food, water, and air. To close significant knowledge gaps and inform measures to protect consumers, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by Parliament to deliver a scientific opinion on the potential health risks posed by microplastics in food, water, and air.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10949 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:40:14 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10949-efsa-to-publish-scientific-advice-on-risks-of-microplastics-in-food-by-end-2027 Mettler Toledo Product Inspection Group has introduced its new X3 Series of bulk flow X-ray inspection systems for physical contamination detection. Typical applications include fruits and vegetables, nuts, pulses, confectionery, and cereals. Mettler Toledo Product Inspection Group has introduced its new X3 Series of bulk flow X-ray inspection systems for physical contamination detection. Typical applications include fruits and vegetables, nuts, pulses, confectionery, and cereals.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10930 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:42:33 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10930-mettler-toledo-unveils-x3-x-ray-series-for-bulk-foods-inspection hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) Glove manufacturer Eagle Protect PBC has submitted a petition to FDA urging the agency to prohibit the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) disposable gloves for food handling in the U.S., citing compliance gaps, poor durability, and chemical risks. Glove manufacturer Eagle Protect PBC has submitted a petition to FDA urging the agency to prohibit the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) disposable gloves for food handling in the U.S., citing compliance gaps, poor durability, and chemical risks.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10895 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:18:05 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10895-fda-petitioned-to-ban-pvc-gloves-for-food-handling-due-to-inadequate-food-safety The December 3 live webinar will focus on challenges associated with bone contamination in meat and poultry applications, describe the benefits of dual-energy X-ray inspection, and feature a live demonstration of X-ray inspection technology. The December 3 live webinar will focus on challenges associated with bone contamination in meat and poultry applications, describe the benefits of dual-energy X-ray inspection, and feature a live demonstration of X-ray inspection technology.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10889 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:32:11 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10889-mettler-toledo-to-host-free-x-ray-inspection-webinar The latest generation of Eagle Product Inspection’s Tall PRO XSDV detection accuracy for contaminants in food products such as glass, metal, stone, or rubber—especially in complex or multi-layered packaging formats. The latest generation of Eagle Product Inspection’s Tall PRO XSDV detection accuracy for contaminants in food products such as glass, metal, stone, or rubber—especially in complex or multi-layered packaging formats.

]]> http://www.food-safety.com/articles/10868 Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:03:23 -0500 https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10868-eagle-unveils-next-gen-eagle-tall-pro-xsdv-x-ray