Established in 1984 Shawpak Systems prides itself on providing high level technical sales and support to our valued customer base. Offering solutions for Product Inspection, Packaging and Hygiene equipment sales and after sales support including certified customer training on site or at our Centre of Excellence training and demonstration facility.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Food Contamination X Ray

Food contamination X-ray detection is an inspection technology that uses X-ray imaging to identify foreign objects and physical contaminants inside packaged food products before they reach consumers. Shawpak Systems Ltd, serving food processing and manufacturing facilities across North America from our Oakville, Ontario base, helps companies implement this critical safety control to protect consumers and preserve brand reputation.

1. X-ray Inspection Works Like a Security Scanner for Your Products

Think of food contamination detection equipment the way an airport security checkpoint works. Just as X-rays reveal what is inside luggage without opening it, industrial X-ray systems scan packaged food to spot contaminants that are invisible to the human eye. The system captures an image of the product's interior, and software compares it against a reference standard for that product type. If something does not match the expected profile, the system flags it immediately.

For food processing facilities and manufacturing plants in Oakville and across Canada, this means products move through your line at production speed while still being inspected thoroughly. Unlike manual spot-checking, which catches only a fraction of defects, X-ray inspection examines every single item. Shawpak Systems provides the technical advisory and equipment selection consultation to help you choose systems scaled to your throughput and product specifications.

2. Detection Capability Extends Far Beyond Metal

Many facility managers assume contamination detection only catches metal fragments, but modern X-ray systems identify a much broader range of hazards. These systems reliably detect:

• Metal fragments and shards
• Glass and ceramic pieces
• Stone and bone fragments
• High-density plastics and rubber
• Density variations indicating product defects or missing components

Because X-rays reveal density differences rather than just magnetic properties, they catch contaminants that metal detectors miss entirely. A piece of bone in ground meat, a glass shard in sauce, or a plastic cap that fell into a mixing vat will all be detected and the contaminated package automatically rejected. For pharmaceutical companies, meat processing operations, and food manufacturers in the region served by Shawpak Systems, this expanded detection range is the difference between protecting your customers and facing a costly recall.

3. False Rejection Rates Matter More Than You Think

An X-ray inspection system is only as good as its accuracy. A high false rejection rate means good products get pulled from the line, wasting product and slowing production. Most industrial-grade systems operate with false rejection rates between 0.5 and 2 percent, depending on product type and system calibration.

A system that rejects 2 percent of good product may seem minor, but across a production run of 10,000 units, that is 200 saleable items discarded. Across a year, those false rejections compound into significant loss.

Shawpak Systems helps you understand these operational costs during the selection phase. Our team works with your operations directors and plant managers to configure detection thresholds and product profiles that minimize waste while maintaining safety standards. Proper on-site training and demonstration at our Centre of Excellence ensures your staff understands how to adjust sensitivity settings for different product lines.

4. Integration With Your Existing Line Requires Careful Planning

Installation of an X-ray contamination detection system is not simply plugging in a new machine. The equipment needs to sit in the right place in your production sequence, interface with your conveyor speed, and connect to your reject mechanism or packaging line controls. A system placed too early in the line may miss contamination introduced later. Placed too late, it may not give your reject system enough time to remove the product.

Product flow, line speed, package size, and existing equipment all influence where and how an X-ray system should be installed. Shawpak Systems provides technical advisory consultation and on-site training to evaluate your facility and recommend the optimal configuration. Our certified after-sales support ensures the system stays properly calibrated and integrated with your operations as your product mix or line speed changes.

5. Maintenance and Calibration Keep Your System Reliable

X-ray systems require ongoing maintenance to stay accurate. The X-ray source itself degrades slightly over time, requiring periodic recalibration to maintain detection sensitivity. Conveyor belts, reject gates, and image processing software all need regular servicing to prevent drift in performance.

Most facilities benefit from a scheduled maintenance program that includes quarterly calibration checks and annual source inspection. Unplanned downtime for repairs can halt production for hours or days, so preventive care is far more cost-effective than reactive repairs. Shawpak Systems offers parts distribution and certified after-sales support across Canada and the USA, ensuring you have access to genuine components and technical guidance when you need it. Our team helps you establish a maintenance routine that keeps your system performing within manufacturer specifications without disrupting your production schedule.

If your facility in Oakville or elsewhere across North America processes food, manufactures products that require contamination assurance, or operates in a regulated environment where safety inspection is mandatory, X-ray detection equipment is a sound investment. Shawpak Systems has guided manufacturing plants, food processing facilities, and pharmaceutical companies through equipment selection, installation, and long-term support since 1984. We would be glad to discuss how this technology fits your operation and what system might work best for your throughput and product profile. Please get in touch with our team to arrange a consultation or visit our Centre of Excellence to see the technology in action.