The world’s largest market research resource, Research and Markets, says its report entitled Detecting Foreign Bodies in Food is a potential bestseller. The new report is set to become a standard reference for all those concerned with ensuring the safety of food.

The report, edited by Mike Edwards, head of the microscopy section at the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association, states that foreign bodies are the biggest single source of customer complaints for many food manufacturers, retailers and enforcement authorities.

Detecting Foreign Bodies in Food discusses ways of preventing and managing incidents involving foreign bodies and reviews the range of current methods available for the detection and control of foreign bodies, together with a number of new and developing technologies.

Part one of the report addresses management issues, with chapters on identifying potential sources of foreign bodies, good manufacturing practice (GMP), the role of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system, and how best to manage incidents involving foreign bodies. Part two examines methods for the detection and removal of foreign bodies. There are chapters on existing methods, including metal detection, magnets, optical sorting, X-ray systems and physical separation methods. Other chapters consider research on potential new technologies, including surface penetrating radar, microwave reflectance, nuclear magnetic resonance, electrical impedance and ultrasound.