Meat&Poultry -- July 2014 - 70

DETECTION SYSTEMS

be very similar to meat, making detection by x-ray challenging. If the meat is
size-reduced, this tends to size-reduce
[and multiply] the plastic, which can
then entrap the plastic within the meat
where it is more difficult to detect.
In some situations, using an air
knife to separate loose, light materials, such plastic film or ear-plugs from
meat portions may be helpful, he says.
Another strategy is to use metal-detector-and/or x-ray- detectable specific
personal protective equipment (safety
glasses, gloves, aprons, ear-plugs, etc.)
in conjunction with metal-detector or
x-ray inspection systems, so they can
be easily identified if misplaced within
the product.
Anritsu DualX (Dual-Energy) detection
technology is hard at work at this poultry
installation. This technology measures
two different energy levels of x-rays, which
greatly enhances detection of lower-density
contaminants, the company relays. (Photo

appear to perform the best, Hebel says.

Eagle recently launched its MDX

"Metal detectors are the cost-effective

(Material Discrimination X-ray) tech-

solution for metallic foreign material,

nology, which is commonly used in

which is also their limitation," he adds.

airport security systems. It is an ad-

courtesy of Anritsu Industrial Solutions USA Inc.)

"Imaging systems provide detection of

vancement over typical x-ray inspec-

foreign material on exposed surfaces

tion as this inspection technology uses

consumer complaints. The problem

of meat. The most enhanced of the

two, instead of one, x-ray energies,

occurred after a small metal hand tool

three technologies is x-ray inspection,

he says. MDX has since evolved to

fell into a grinder, which was discov-

which allows foreign-body detection

DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorp-

ered by the company's metal detectors.

capable of inspecting for metallic and

tiometry), which led to the DEXA-

No reports of injuries were received.

non-metallic contaminants and pres-

based x-ray systems used by meat pro-

ents an adequate density difference to

cessors for inline fat measurement. As

Detection solutions

the meat before rejecting the substan-

this technology has advanced, so have

FSIS defines foreign material as non-

dard product."

the additional features and benefits of

animal objects, such as metal, plastic,

Eagle's customers are concerned

x-ray, which now include check weigh-

rubber, glass, wood, steel or lead shot.

about any harmful physical contam-

ing, count components and packaging

The main foreign detection technol-

inant that could get into the meat or

defect inspection.

ogies used to detect such contami-

poultry during the production and

Eagle also offers its TraceServer,

nants include metal detection, x-ray

packaging processes plus contami-

which provides a server that runs in

detection, visible/infrared (IR)/hy-

nants that existed previously in the

a customer's PC and collects inspec-

perspectral imaging systems (camera/

product and were undetected in the

tion data and images from Eagle x-

laser-based) and mechanical, explains

processing stage. This includes ferrous

ray systems. In conjunction with bar

Richard Hebel, product manager, Fat

material, such as calcified bone that

code and lot inputs, TraceServer al-

Analysis, Eagle Product Inspection,

can remain unidentified in products

lows documentation of product secu-

Tampa, Fla.

without thorough inspection.

rity including foreign-material events.

Of those foreign-matter detection

*

Effective foreign material detec-

since they are undetectable with metal

tion systems provide a high level of

imaging systems and x-ray inspection

70

Plastics present a serious challenge

technologies available, metal detectors,

detectors, and their densities tend to

precision vigilance, alerting workers

Meat&Poultry *

July 2014 *

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Meat&Poultry -- July 2014

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