Abstract:
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) are powerful
tools for the characterisation of foreign body (FB) or particulate contamination of food products.
Whether the result of processing, packaging or interaction with consumers, once identified foreign
body contamination needs to be characterised as rapidly and efficiently as possible in order to
trace its source. An outline of the operation and capabilities of SEM/EDS is presented in order
to highlight its application to FB identification. Three case studies are presented, one of FB contamination
that was caused by agglomerated flour particles, one of a glass fragment reported by a
consumer in a jar of baby food and one of a suspected dental implant in a food product.
