FoodGuard-1 Food Monitoring System

• Rapid food radiation screening system for detecting radioactive contamination in food and beverages
• High-efficiency 3” × 3” NaI(Tl) gamma detector with lead shielding for reliable measurements
• Complete turnkey solution (detector + MCA + software + accessories) – ready to use out-of-the-box
• Built-in MPC (Maximum Permitted Concentration) calculation for regulatory compliance
• Real-time audible alarm for contamination exceeding safety limits
• Fully automated sample analysis workflow with intuitive software interface
• Portable and lightweight design – ideal for on-site testing (ports, markets, production sites)
• Pre-calibrated system with standard sample containers and check source included
• Detects key radionuclides: ¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹⁰³Ru and reports total cesium
• FDA-approved ROI matrix analysis method for food monitoring accuracy

FoodGuard-1 is a complete gamma spectroscopy-based food monitoring system designed for rapid screening of radioactive contamination in both solid and liquid food samples.

Engineered as a front-line response solution, FoodGuard-1 enables food producers, import/export agencies, and regulatory bodies to quickly assess contamination risks and ensure food safety compliance within minutes.

The system integrates a NaI(Tl) gamma detector, digital MCA (digiBASE), and dedicated FoodGuard software, forming a compact and easy-to-use platform for routine food inspection.

Sample measurement is simple:

• Place the sample in a 1-liter Marinelli beaker
• Insert into the shielded detector chamber
• Start the automated analysis

The system then:

• Collects spectral data
• Identifies radionuclides
• Compares results with regulatory limits
• Generates a clear, audit-ready report

FoodGuard-1 is optimized to detect radionuclides commonly associated with nuclear incidents, including iodine and cesium isotopes. It also provides total cesium reporting, which is critical for food safety regulations.

A key advantage is its MPC-based reporting system, which directly expresses contamination levels as a percentage of allowable limits—making results easy to interpret even for non-expert users.

With its portable design, battery operation, and optional transport cart, FoodGuard-1 can be deployed anywhere food is:

• Imported
• Processed
• Sold
• Consumed

This makes it an essential tool for rapid response, screening, and compliance monitoring in real-world environments.

System Components
3” × 3” NaI(Tl) gamma detector
Low-background lead shield (bench-top design)
ORTEC digiBASE (integrated MCA + HV + DSP)
FoodGuard software (FG-1-BW)
Laptop PC and printer (optional packages)
1-liter Marinelli beakers (×6)
Calibration check source (KCl, ⁴⁰K)

Detector & Performance
Detector type: NaI(Tl) scintillation detector
Resolution: ~8% at 662 keV (¹³⁷Cs)
High-efficiency counting for rapid screening
Built-in digital gain stabilization (⁴⁰K reference peak)

Measurement Capabilities
Sample types:

• Liquids
• Solids
• Food products

Monitored radionuclides:

• ¹³¹I
• ¹⁰³Ru
• ¹³⁴Cs
• ¹³⁷Cs
• Natural ⁴⁰K (reference & monitoring)

Total cesium calculation (¹³⁴Cs + ¹³⁷Cs)

Software & Analysis
Automated spectrum acquisition and analysis
ROI matrix method (FDA-approved)
MPC calculation (% of allowable limit)
Audible alarm for exceedance
Report generation and data storage

Operation & Workflow
Guided measurement process (step-by-step UI)
Automatic pass/fail evaluation
Data logging and reporting
Suitable for non-expert operators

Connectivity & Platform
USB 2.0 interface (digiBASE)
Windows-based system
Low power consumption (USB-powered electronics)

Mobility
Portable system design
Optional transport cart with locking wheels
Battery operation for field use

• Food safety inspection (import/export control)
• Radiation contamination screening in food supply chains
• Nuclear emergency response (post-incident food monitoring)
• Agricultural product testing
• Market and port-of-entry inspection
• Regulatory compliance monitoring
• Food production quality control