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Foreign Particule Analysis

A common issue in food or packaged food is the presence of foreign particles (or foreign bodies). Depending on their nature, these hazards can pose significant health risks to consumers and often lead to complaints.

It is thus critical to:

  • Implement measures to detect foreign bodies in your product before its release on the market;
  • Identify the nature of the foreign particle, especially if the product is already on the market;
  • Find the source of this external contamination to mitigate the risk quickly. 

Our teams have strong experience in foreign particle analysis and identification, even in minuscule quantities. In the event of an incident, we have the capacity to react promptly. Explore our Crisis Management services for 24/7 support.

Foreign Particle Risk Assessment & Prevention

Foreign particles may originate from both organic and inorganic sources, such as corroded or damaged equipment parts, cross-contamination during the process, microplastics, or biological sources.

The identification of the main risks according to your product, processes, and manufacturing setup is crucial for anticipating and preventing the presence of particles. You may want to consider taking a few preventive measures, such as:

  • Assessing risks associated with construction materials in manufacturing plants.
  • Implementing effective cleaning procedures.
  • Ensuring that pre-treatment of equipment/product contact utilities does not transfer to your products.
  • Inspecting equipment before and after production.
  • Cleaning after repairs and maintenance activities.
  • Effective training for operators.

Mérieux NutriSciences offers risk assessment services at the plant level and on-site or digital training for operators on Good Manufacturing Practices.

Finally, implementing quality controls for particles helps minimize the probability of contamination.

Our Methods for Foreign Particle Analysis & Identification

These investigations involve micro-analysis, where the object being observed is small and present in very small quantities. As a result, it is not possible to perform traditional and routine analyses to identify the problem. Depending on the nature of the foreign particle and its size, one or multiple technologies are necessary for identification.

Our Silliker Food Science Centers utilize cutting-edge technologies to support our experts’ identification knowledge, including:

Optical microscopy is a rapid, inexpensive technique that allows a first general evaluation of the sample. The other techniques have high magnification and resolution power and are often used in combination.

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Foreign Particle Brochure

Identification of foreign particles

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Frequently Asked Questions about Foreign Particle Analysis

Foreign particle analysis is the scientific process of identifying and characterizing unwanted materials (organic or inorganic) found in food, packaging, or raw materials. These contaminants can pose health risks and damage brand reputation, so accurate identification helps prevent recurrence and ensure product safety.

Foreign particles can originate from damaged equipment, cross-contamination, packaging materials, or environmental sources. Understanding their origin is critical for protecting consumers, maintaining compliance with safety regulations, and avoiding costly recalls or complaints.

Mérieux NutriSciences laboratories can identify a wide range of foreign particles, including:

  • Metals, glass, or plastics from equipment or packaging
  • Organic materials such as insects, hair, mold, or bone fragments
  • Inorganic particles like dust or mineral residues
  • Micro- and nanoparticles including microplastics

Our experts employ multiple complementary techniques, depending on the nature and size of the foreign material:

  • Optical Microscopy: For initial visual identification
  • SEM/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope / Energy Dispersive Spectrometry): For elemental characterization
  • TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope): For nanoparticle-level analysis
  • FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry): For chemical and molecular characterization

These advanced tools allow accurate, non-destructive analysis, even at microscopic or nanoscopic scales.

Beyond analysis, our teams perform risk assessments and offer on-site or digital training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). We help identify critical control points in your production line and implement preventive measures to minimize the risk of contamination.

Yes. In the event of a crisis, Mérieux NutriSciences provides rapid-response foreign particle identification and Crisis Management services available 24/7 to help companies manage the situation effectively and take corrective action quickly.

Our services support a wide range of industries, including:

  • Food and beverages
  • Packaging
  • Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
  • Cosmetics and personal care
  • Environmental testing

You can contact our nearest Mérieux NutriSciences laboratory or use our contact form to arrange sample submission. Our team will guide you through the process and select the most appropriate testing method based on your product and contamination issue.

Yes. Each analysis concludes with a comprehensive report detailing the particle’s nature, origin, analytical methods used, and preventive recommendations. This documentation supports internal quality management and regulatory compliance.

You can download our brochure for more details on methodologies, technologies, and service scope.
For personalized guidance, contact our scientific experts through the Mérieux NutriSciences contact page.