General Information Related to Foreign Bodies
Foreign bodies, also called foreign objects, matter, material, or physical contaminants, are defined by CODEX as any unintended substance that may compromise food safety or suitability.
These unintended substances can arise from many different sources, including from:
The food itself (bones, stalks)
The production process (plastic, glass, metal from tools or equipment)
People (hair, jewellery)
Understanding these sources is essential to controlling them. This page provides general knowledge to help you recognise and manage foreign body risks. We encourage you to explore further and deepen your expertise to support safe, compliant, and reliable food production.
Webinar | Foreign Body Prevention Strategies: How to Keep Cleaning Tools Safe & Effective
Webinar | Food As-Intended: Fighting Foreign Body Contamination
Join our expert panel of speakers to discover what auditors look for when it comes to foreign body management and hear practical strategies on how to optimise their control.
Metal Detectable Products
The use of colour-coding to improve food safety and quality
Learn how colour-coded tools help prevent foreign body contamination by improving control, visibility, and safe segregation.
Good cleaning tool maintenance
See how good cleaning tool maintenance reduces foreign body hazards and strengthens safety and compliance in food production.
Hygienically designed cleaning and food handling tools
Hygienic design helps prevent foreign body contamination from cleaning tools. Learn more to strengthen safety in your food production.