Monthly Archives: October 2025

Under BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9, foreign body contamination controls are concentrated in Clause 4.9 (control of foreign materials) and Clause 4.10 (detection and removal equipment). In the US, FSMA’s Preventive Controls for Human Food (21 CFR 117) requires a documented hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls for physical hazards, with training and records to prove effectiveness. Together, these frameworks expect a risk-based programme/program backed by validated equipment checks, verified at defined frequencies, and trended over time.

In the relentless pursuit of food safety, manufacturers often focus heavily on metal detection—and for good reason. Metal contaminants pose significant risks and are a common concern. However, a truly robust food safety program recognizes that metal is just one piece of the puzzle. Foreign objects can come in many forms, and a comprehensive strategy requires looking beyond metal to embrace a multi-layered approach to detection.