Systems utilizing X-radiation are employed to inspect packaged and unpackaged food products. These systems detect foreign bodies such as metal, glass, stone, and some plastics, as well as identifying product defects like broken bones or missing components. An example application is inspecting packaged chicken breasts for bone fragments.
Such inspection equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety and quality control. By detecting contaminants and defects early in the production process, these systems prevent potentially hazardous products from reaching consumers, minimizing health risks and costly recalls. Historically, detecting contaminants relied on less effective methods, but advancements in X-ray technology have revolutionized food inspection, offering higher sensitivity and faster processing speeds. This technology’s increased precision also reduces food waste by identifying specific defects, allowing for targeted removal instead of discarding entire batches.