Raising The Bar in Poultry Inspection: The IX-PD X-Ray Solution from Ishida

Given the risks of contamination, there’s an understandable focus on safety and quality in the poultry industry. These aspects of production must be prioritised to ensure compliance, fulfill customer expectations, and prevent reputational damage. And X-ray inspection systems such as Ishida’s IX-PD can make a real difference. Read on as we highlight the benefits of the photon-counting dual-energy X-ray machine here.  

Meeting the Challenge of Poultry Product Quality 

As mentioned, there’s a significant risk of poultry products being contaminated with bone, cartilage, and other foreign materials. Although packaging may indicate the potential inclusion of such foreign bodies, there’s still a risk of complaints and returns in the event of customer dissatisfaction. Such negative responses could harm the reputation of the brand owner, whether that be the packager or provider of fast food. 

Contaminants endanger health when undetected, with the risks being heightened where manufacturers use poorly maintained and ageing equipment. The identification of minute bone fragments is a particular challenge.  

The IX-PD X-Ray Solution: Raising the Standard 

Unmatched Detection Accuracy 

Suitable for any stage of the production line, X-ray systems like the IX-PD can greatly increase the accuracy and reliability of foreign body detection. Seeing through poultry products for a complete picture of what’s inside, such X-ray systems enable the more effective prevention of contamination. Along with the detection of foreign bodies, X-ray machines can also be relied upon for the identification of defects, checking of product or piece weights, and sealing control. 

As the latest generation of Ishida’s IX-series, the IX-PD is integrated with patented Genetic Algorithm (GA) technology. Enhanced with dual-energy processing, this ensures a higher resolution and clearer image than can be achieved with conventional X-ray machines. It makes for the more reliable detection of low-density items such as bone fragments in poultry fillets. Testing has revealed that the IX-PD has a detection rate of nearly 100% in the identification of such foreign bodies. 

Fewer False Rejects, Greater Efficiency 

There’s a considerable risk when it comes to the rejection of poultry products due to the false identification of contaminants. This has a direct bearing on everything from the product yield to the requirement for labour and operational efficiency. It’s a particular issue for high-volume production lines, with the reduction of false rejects resulting in reduced labor demand and waste.  

Such a reduction can be achieved with the IX-PD, taking bone and foreign body contamination to the next level. Whether used for the scanning of chicken breast fillets, butterflies, or deboned thighs, the IX-PD will boost accuracy levels and reduce detection error rates. 

See what’s possible with Ishida’s latest X-ray system: 

Investment in the IX-PD X-ray system can help you to maintain stringent quality control procedures with no  compromise of throughput rates. You can use this system to minimise the need for operator intervention in the checking and reworking of rejected products that don’t contain bone. 

Engineered for High-Speed Poultry Lines 

With its compact dimensions, the IX-PD can be easily integrated for the assurance of high productivity across fast-paced poultry lines. Available in a width of 360mm and 450mm, it can fulfil requirements in the processing of various product and pack sizes. With twin lane handling capacity, the advanced X-ray machine increases efficiency in the handling of various poultry products, ensuring satisfaction of the most demanding throughput requirements. The integrated rejection system ensures the reliable removal of contaminated products, which are rapidly transferred to the conveyor for easier manual rework. The angled surfaces and open frame design make maintenance and cleaning easy too. 

In the words of Glen Oxborough, Ishida Europe’s Business Manager for X-Ray Inspection, “We understand the importance poultry businesses place on the quality of their product and the rigorous standards they instil to guarantee it. However, even the smallest error, such as a bone fragment or a piece of metal wire, can have a significant impact on a company’s public image.  

The need for enhanced brand protection was a major driving force in Ishida’s development of the IX-PD-Poultry. Incorporating new technology, it delivers leading image processing quality so that manufacturers can have complete confidence in the product they are delivering to the retail and food service sectors.” 

Global Compliance and Peace of Mind 

As a Japanese company, Ishida recognises the importance of compliance with stringent domestic and international regulations. This has been clear in the development of the IX-PD X-ray system for the fulfillment of food safety standards. Integration of this next-level system brings the assurance of optimal sensitivity, so that manufacturers can have complete confidence in product quality control. It’s the pinnacle of X-ray technology available on today’s market. 

Ishida is proud to present the IX-PD as part of the wider range of transformative production line technologies, including: