Article | March 23, 2026

Physical Contamination Detection

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Physical contaminants such as metal fragments, glass, dense plastics, or stone can enter production lines at any point—from incoming raw materials to final packaging. Understanding where these risks originate is essential for preventing product defects, equipment damage, and costly recalls. Explore the common causes of physical contamination and the strengths of key detection technologies, including metal detection and X-ray inspection. See how each system works, what types of foreign materials they can identify, and when using both may offer the strongest protection. Inspection points differ for bulk materials, liquids and pastes, and fully packaged goods, which helps manufacturers determine where Critical Control Points are most effective.

For teams seeking to refine quality checks or evaluate detection technologies, access the full article to gain practical insights that support safer, more reliable production.

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Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection