Foreign Matter Analyis of Fragment Found in Cereal

HRL was engaged by a client to conduct an in-depth foreign matter analysis on a fragment discovered within a box of cereal. The client aimed to gain insights into the composition, structure, and potential origins of the fragment.

To identify the composition and characteristics of the white fragment, we employed a multi-faceted approach to our analysis:

1. Initial Visual Examination: We initiated the analysis with a visual examination using a stereoscopic optical microscope. This initial step allowed us to observe the fragment's external attributes.
2. Sample Dimension Measurement: Accurate measurements of the fragment were taken. This information contributed to our overall understanding of the object's size and proportions.
3. Ultrasonic Cleaning and Elemental Analysis: A segment of the casing was selected for ultrasonic cleaning, preparing it for compositional analysis. We employed scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) to determine the elemental composition of the cleaned sample. This analysis definitively established the organic nature of the fragment.
4. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR): To further validate the composition, we utilised FTIR analysis. By comparing the foreign object spectral data with reference spectra in the library, we discovered a strong resemblance to a distinctive pharmaceutical drug.

Based on our analysis, we garnered the following insights. The foreign matter under analysis was a powdery substance encapsulated in a dissolvable casing discovered within cereal. The casing was notably reminiscent of medicinal capsules. Further FTIR analysis exhibited resemblance providing strong indications of the fragment’s pharmaceutical composition. This helped them narrow down the source of the fragment ruling out any manufacturing process issues.