Top Technologies for Foreign Object Control

Identifying the type of material in a contamination is just the first step. You can obtain more useful information from a lab. “If a piece of glass was found by a consumer, we would determine [if] it’s a heat-resistance glass type from chipped kitchen glassware. In that case, it could have been unintentionally introduced by the consumer,” says Friedrichs.

RSSL’s microscopy lab use five technologies in particular, says Friedrichs:

• Light microscopy: Used to look at the morphology of the foreign material and to see whether there are deposits on it.
• X-ray microfluorescence: The standard technology to help identify types of glass, steels, and other metal alloys.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS): This technology can provide morphological and elemental information for even the smallest foreign materials.
• Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR): This technology can help to identify organic materials, such as types of fibers and polymers, by investigating functional groups.

The majority of foreign materials can be identified using some or all of these techniques. What tool to use will depend on each specific case. “We have a triage type approach where we make an initial evaluation of a sample using microscopy and then decide which analysis we regard as appropriate to correctly identify and characterize a sample,” says Wright. “If a foreign object is found in a packaged food, we will want to analyze the packing, as well, to help establish how it may have entered the product. We try to gather all the information and then decide the critical path: If it’s a piece of glass, it goes down one route; if it’s plastic; it goes down another. It depends on how we can find out what’s on the surface of something, what it’s been in contact with, and what else is around it.”

The benefit of engaging with a laboratory for further investigation is not just in the level of technology. “From our impartial, yet experienced, perspective, we will ask the right questions. When somebody is too close to a process, they might overlook what is actually quite obvious,” says Wright.

Prevention Is Always Better

In spite of the many technologies available, the best way to control foreign objects is to keep them out of the supply chain. “Before you think about the risk, you need a strong preventive maintenance program that avoids foreign material that may come off of equipment, such as pieces of conveyor belts, metal shavings, screws, or pieces of plastic. And when foreign material is found on the equipment or within the facility, you also need a sanitation and GMP program that prevents it from entering the food-making process,” says Davis.

“Too many companies just rely on their systems as if they were foolproof, but they’re not,” says Kooijmans. All these detection methods are trying to cure something that you should prevent in the first place. Prevention is always better.”

Tolu is freelance writer who specializes in covering the food industry. Reach him at [email protected].