Leak Detection in Flexible Retort Pouches

Abstract

Retortable flexible pouches now contain sterilized foods, and a method is needed to identify holes in these pouches. The helium leak test and the fluorescence dye test for metal food containers were modified to find micron-sized holes in flexible retort pouches. The helium test and the dye test were about equal in ability to identify holes. The helium test properly identified 32 of 32 pouches with holes. The dye test identified 31 of the same 32 pouches with holes and was able to indicate the point of leakage. Neither method produced a false positive, but the helium test was more sensitive than the dye test or the original biotest.