DEVELOPMENTS IN FOOD-PACKAGING INTEGRITY TESTING

The inspection of both the seal integrity and seal strength of plastic packages containing low-acid shelf-stable foods is currently performe d using destructive and manual test methods. Automated non-destructive sensing technologies would allow 100% inspection to be carried out on line, As will be discussed, the evaluation and application of such te chnologies for package inspection is advancing as a practical solution to the current problems associated with integrity testing. This artic le also examines how to determine critical defect parameters to be use d as design criteria for these technologies.