FDA permits stronger X-rays for food inspection

17 Jun 2002

The US Food and Drug Administration has revised its food additive regulations to allow for X-ray inspections of foods at energy levels of up to 500 KeV, rather than the previous maximum of 350 KeV.

This new revision currently only affects the CargoSearch line of cargo inspection systems, developed by American Science and Engineering (AS&E) and used by the governments of Mexico and US. The system uses 450 KeV X-ray energy to inspect vehicles and cargo.

Under the previous standards, foods inspected at levels of higher than 350 KeV were required to be labeled. AS&E had preliminary FDA approval for the higher-level inspection system and received final approval at the end of January.

"It's a big deal for food inspectors," said Lee Steele, the vice president and chief financial officer of American Science and Engineering. "You can tell whether there are flowers in there or coffee or paint." He added that this level of radiation can also detect the presence of any people smuggled inside cargo containers.

The regulatory changes do not cover food irradiation. "This is not for killing germs. This is for inspection of contents," Steele noted.

JN