X-ray dark-field imaging for detection of foreign bodies in food

Conventional X-ray transmission radiography has long been used for online detection of foreign bodies in food products relying on the absorption contrast between the foreign body and food product. In this paper, we present a novel approach for detection of organic foreign bodies such as paper and insects in two food products using X-ray dark-field imaging with a grating interferometer. The ability to detect the foreign bodies is quantified using a measure of the contrast-to-noise ratio.

► We apply X-ray transmission and dark-field radiography for foreign body detection. ► We use organic materials as foreign bodies. ► Paper, insects and cigarette butts are detected using dark-field radiography. ► Dark-field radiography shows larger contrast-to-noise ratios than transmission radiography for organic foreign bodies.