Woolworths Metal Detection & X-ray Inspection Training 2026
Dear Suppliers and Woolworths Technologists,
Woolworths, in collaboration with IBL Africa and Mettler Toledo, invites you to attend a practical training session on metal detection and X-ray inspection systems.
This hands-on workshop has been designed specifically for Woolworths suppliers and technical teams to strengthen understanding of foreign object detection systems and the critical role they play in food safety.
Unlike traditional classroom-based training, participants will work directly with operating equipment and gain practical experience with metal detectors and X-ray systems.
The session will cover the fundamentals of metal detection and X-ray technology, factors affecting detection sensitivity, product learning, validation and verification testing, fail-safe checks, and common non-conformances identified during food safety audits.
The training combines equipment expertise from Mettler Toledo with practical food safety and audit insights from IBL Africa, providing attendees with both technical knowledge and practical application.
Spaces are limited and we request that each supplier sends one representative involved in foreign object control programmes to attend.
We look forward to welcoming you to this valuable and interactive learning opportunity.
Session outline (morning times shown; the afternoon session runs the same from 13:30)
- 09:00 – Welcome and introduction – Woolworths, IBL Africa, Mettler Toledo
- 09:10 – Metal detection – how coil detectors work, what affects sensitivity (product effect, aperture, belt speed, frequency), foil trays and foil-lidded dairy (Mettler Toledo)
- 09:45 – X-ray inspection – types and tubes, what X-ray sees that a detector can’t, foil packaging (Mettler Toledo)
- 10:15 – Tea
- 10:30 – Practical station 1 – metal detector with stop belt: set-up and product learn, verification with test pieces, fail-safe and reject confirmation, spot-the-non-conformance challenges (Mettler Toledo + IBL auditor)
- 11:05 – Practical station 2 – X-ray with rejector: same script on the X-ray, groups swap
- 11:40 – Connectivity, remote service access, password levels and anti-tamper controls (Mettler Toledo)
- 11:50 – Woolworths requirements (Guidance Chapter 9) and what we find on audit – anonymised examples (IBL Africa)
- 12:15 – Q&A and close
Venues and dates
- Cape Town – Mon 2 and Tue 3 November, Mettler Toledo / Microsep, Unit 22 Bellray Business Park, 5 Ampere St, Stikland Industrial
- Johannesburg – Tue 17 and Wed 18 November, Mettler Toledo, 2 Saturn Crescent, Linbro Business Park, Sandton
- Morning session 09:00 – 12:25 / Afternoon session 13:30 – 16:55
Information to Note
Each day is split into two identical sessions, morning and afternoon, so please note:
SECURE YOUR SPOT BY SELECTING A SLOT BELOW
Please note, there are limited spaces available – each slot is capped at 24 delegates so that everyone gets hands-on time at both practical stations. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
We look forward to welcoming you!