Foreign Object Detection in Food and Inspection of a Plastic Bottle’s Sealing Condition Using X-ray Fluoroscopy and ComputedTomographyTechnique

Importance of the Topic

Non-destructive X-ray inspection plays a critical role in ensuring food safety by rapidly identifying and eliminating foreign contaminants from production lines.

By combining high-resolution fluoroscopic and computed tomography techniques, manufacturers can maintain strict quality control and prevent compromised products from reaching consumers.

Objectives and Study Overview

This article presents application case studies using microfocus X-ray systems to detect foreign objects in packaged foods and evaluate the sealing integrity of plastic beverage bottles.

• Use 2D X-ray fluoroscopy to spot pebbles and stainless steel pieces in boxed chocolates and bread.
• Employ X-ray computed tomography for precise three-dimensional localization and volumetric measurement of contaminants.
• Assess cap fitment and seal conditions of plastic bottles before and after opening.

Methodology

Fluoroscopic imaging utilized panoramic stitching to generate wide-field 2D views of large samples, enhancing the detection of dense foreign objects within food packages.

Computed tomography scans produced cross-sectional slices and full 3D reconstructions to reveal object depth, shape, and quantitative measurements.

Instrumentation Used

• Xslicer SMX-1020: microfocus 2D X-ray fluoroscopic inspection system with panoramic imaging capability.
• inspeXio SMX-225CT FPD HR Plus: microfocus X-ray CT system providing high-resolution volume data for detailed analysis.

Main Results and Discussion

2D fluoroscopy clearly distinguished pebbles and metal fragments in food samples, with enlarged views confirming object positions relative to packaging layers.

X-ray CT located foreign objects in three dimensions, allowing measurement of volume and diameter and visualization of their shapes.

In bottle cap inspections, CT-based 3D comparison before and after opening revealed a lateral displacement of approximately 0.4 mm, while vertical alignment remained stable.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Fast, non-destructive detection of contaminants enhances food quality assurance.
• 3D localization and measurement support precise removal or exclusion of foreign materials.
• Seal integrity evaluations for beverage containers prevent leaks and preserve product quality.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in detector sensitivity and image reconstruction algorithms will improve throughput and resolution.

Integration with automated handling systems and artificial intelligence can enable real-time inspection on production lines.

Extending applications to diverse packaging formats and multi-layer products will broaden quality control capabilities.

Conclusion

Combining X-ray fluoroscopy and computed tomography provides a comprehensive approach for detecting contaminants and verifying packaging integrity, supporting rigorous quality control and safer end products.