Mettler-Toledo Safeline has launched its new test samples, offering manufacturers robust samples to ensure their metal detection and X-ray inspection systems comply with increasingly stringent global food safety legislation. Test samples are a core component of any well-maintained inspection system. Growing pressure on food manufacturers to meet government and retailer regulations regarding product quality makes such testing vital to ensure inspection systems are operating effectively to demonstrate due diligence.

By placing test samples on their food production lines or within their products, manufacturers can ensure that their product inspection systems are operating correctly and offering optimum contaminant detection. Regular testing of metal detectors and X-ray inspection systems can prevent adverse trends in contaminant detection before they become a problem.

Mettler-Toledo Safeline has developed the new test samples using a robust casing material, protecting products from the contaminant inside and enabling repeated use. Made with materials approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers can be confident that the samples will not contaminate their food products with fragments from damaged casing, ink or glue unsuitable for human consumption. The test samples are available in a range of sizes to allow comprehensive testing for a number of product inspection systems.

"Product recalls from undetected contamination can be costly and damaging both to the consumer and to the manufacturer. By ensuring your product inspection system is operating correctly, you can safeguard the well-being of the consumer, protect your profits and ultimately your brand reputation," explained Jonathan Richards, marketing manager, Mettler-Toledo Safeline.

Mettler-Toledo’s test samples follow an internationally recognised colour coding system to enable easy identification of the contaminant. For metal detection, ferrous samples are marked in red, brass in yellow, stainless steel in blue and aluminium in green. For X-ray samples, soda lime glass, PVC and Teflon are marked in black. The test cards are suitable for all metal detection and X-ray machines including Mettler-Toledo Safeline’s product inspection systems.