Companies with premium brands to protect are increasingly opting for x-ray inspection systems to ensure their product integrity. Although more expensive than the alternative metal detectors, today's sophisticated x-ray machines detect not only metal but other potentially hazardous materials such as glass, plastic and stones, to name but a few. X-ray technology can also inspect for defective products as well as count missing items. Given an increasingly litigious society, companies today require a foolproof quality inspection system, not only to comply with food safety regulations but also to protect the integrity of the brand, particularly in the growing ready meal, snack and confectionery sectors. The impact on a brand of a food scare cannot be underestimated: even the considerable expense of a product recall may be dwarfed by the damage to sales caused, for example, by the presence of shards of glass in a product. Loma's AXIS x-ray inspection systems can even check for contaminants in products wrapped in foil or metallised film packaging. Thorntons, the UK chocolate manufacturer, has installed a Loma AXIS x-ray machine not only to eliminate product imperfections and contaminants, but, just as importantly, to count the number of chocolates in each box. The machine is large enough to scan an entire selection box of chocolates, meaning that the chocolates can be inspected once they are wrapped and boxed, before they come off the production line. Having positioned themselves at the luxury end of the market, Thorntons recognise the value of their brand image, ensuring their customers enjoy a perfect experience every time.

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