Keeping consumables safe and protected often requires proper packaging, and plastics dominate the market. Without advanced food safety measures, however, the chemicals used in traditional plastic packaging can leach into food and water.
Fortunately, technologies are in place to prevent plastic contamination. From simple manual checks of yesteryears, many food safety technologies are shifting to sophisticated systems to ensure that what ends on your plate is exactly what you ordered—nothing more, nothing less. Here’s how.
Table of Contents
X-Ray Scanners
X-rays are one of the most useful diagnostic tools in healthcare. They’re also used in airport inspections. You might be surprised to learn that food processors use them to detect even the tiniest unwanted particles in your food.
So, can you see plastics on X-rays? The quick answer is yes. X-ray systems can spot plastic pieces and foreign materials, usually depending on your food’s density. Advanced models like Material Discrimination X-ray (MDX) can detect low-density plastics and other contaminants that often bypass traditional systems and methods. These tools can also check packaging quality by inspecting the seals and fill height. The good thing is that they don’t impact the product’s taste, smell, and nutritional value.
Other Imaging and Sorting Systems
Modern optical sorting systems use specialized cameras and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting to scan products at incredible speeds and from different angles. Similarly, hyperspectral imaging can reveal contaminants and product quality issues invisible to the naked eye. What makes them particularly effective against plastic contamination is their ability to detect subtle color variations, irregular shapes, and other anomalies that human inspectors may miss.
Recent estimates show an individual could ingest more than 50,000 particles of microplastics from consuming food products in a year. Those who take water from plastic containers can have an additional 90,000 of these on top of 120,000 microplastic particles from the environment. While a few studies have linked these potentially hazardous compounds to certain health conditions, the US Food and Drug Administration doesn’t share the same opinion for now.
Electromagnetic Detection Systems
These advanced tools work great for spotting plastics that contain tiny amounts of metal. Manufacturers add metallic traces to plastic components specifically so these tools can catch any broken pieces. When a metal-containing plastic passes through the detector, it disrupts the electromagnetic field, triggering an immediate response.
From 2002 to 2023, more than 35,000 food and beverage products were recalled in the country. Product contamination was cited as the reason for 91% of these issues. Biological contaminants and allergens were most common under this category, while foreign objects—under which plastics are classified—only comprised 2,612 or seven percent of the incidents. Of these, metals (1,105 or 42%) rather than plastics (500 or 19%) were more common.
Ultraviolet (UV) Fluorescent Detection
Many industrial plastics naturally glow under UV light. Others can be manufactured with fluorescent markers. Under UV light, these materials stand out against food products and make them easier to spot and remove.
Ultrasonic Scanning
This tool uses sound waves to create detailed density maps of consumable goods. Since plastic has a different density than most foods, it creates distinctive patterns in the ultrasonic image. Ultrasonic scanning can likewise evaluate food structure, namely its dimension, shape, and size. As such, this method is highly useful for checking a large batch of packaged products, as visual inspections may be limited in these settings.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT)
Modern food safety tools are often powered by AI and IoT platforms. Using sensors and automated systems, food production facilities can monitor critical control points. AI can help predict potential contamination risks by analyzing various factors like equipment performance and environmental conditions, among others. Smart sensors can monitor equipment wear and tear or predict failures that can lead to contamination.
As monitoring is done in real time, AI can adjust certain parameters automatically based on the product’s current conditions and pre-defined limits. In instances where unusual patterns or anomalies are detected, such as plastic contamination, the system can shut down production lines or redirect the items to secondary inspections and manual checks almost immediately.
These technologies guarantee that all items released to the market are of high quality and safe to eat. When used together, they create multiple layers of protection for your food. Unsurprisingly, the food processing equipment market is projected to reach USD$69.2 billion by 2031, reflecting a 5.7% cumulative growth from 2023. This expansion is primarily driven by the demand for innovative processes and more stringent regulatory and consumer food safety demands.
Supply Chain Innovations
Improper raw material handling, for instance, using degraded plastic bags and containers for transport and storage, can also expose your products to plastic contamination. As do packaging operations, equipment breakdowns, and harsh environmental conditions in the supply chain.
From being a reactive task, modern supply chain management has turned into a proactive approach that further safeguards food items. For example:
- Blockchain technology creates a digital record of the item’s journey. This means you can trace where a foreign object, including plastics, entered the supply chain. As such, it can help prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Smart pallets and containers have sensors that can actively monitor their contents. These can detect whether products have been mishandled in ways that might increase contamination risks.
- Automated inventory management systems facilitate the proper rotation of products and materials. Doing so reduces the risk of degraded plastic packaging or equipment parts from becoming potential sources of contamination.
These supply chain innovations create a stronger shield against plastic and other foreign objects. Besides ensuring that your food arrives on time, they also guarantee that your consumables are safe and free from potentially harmful materials—perfect for those embracing a healthy diet.
Final Thoughts
Guaranteeing food safety is a complex blend of technology, expertise, and vigilance. It requires automated systems and methods that work together to prevent public health concerns and build consumer trust. Companies that embrace this integrated approach can likewise reduce waste, improve efficiency, and provide consumers with confidence in their food choices. After all, nothing beats the feeling of enjoying your meals without worrying about your safety.