WASHINGTON, D.C (April 27, 2009) – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced the new Thermo Scientific EZx Compact, an affordable, small and easy-to-use x-ray system engineered to fit into nearly every type of food packaging production line. Launched at the 2009 Food Safety Summit (Booth 225), the redesigned model makes x-ray inspection technology accessible to customers who previously were using traditional metal detectors to protect their brand against foreign objects. With the EZx Compact they can now detect metal as well as other common contaminants like glass, stones and dense plastics. 

“Food safety headlines dominate the news, and, more than ever, food quality professionals are focused on ensuring their products are 100 percent contaminant-free. But in this economic climate, they are also closely scrutinizing budgets, which may leave certain technologies out of reach,” said Bob Ries, product manager for Process Instruments at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The EZx Compact is priced only slightly above high-performance metal detectors, making the system an ideal starting point for customers who would like to take advantage of all the benefits of x-ray technology.”

The EZx Compact offers the sensitivity required for compliance with corporate quality policies and HACCP guidelines, and its patented wrap-around detector design enables 100% inspection of any product passed through the machine. The system effectively detects stone, glass, bone or hard plastics and is ideal for customers who use the rapidly growing metalized film or foil packaging. The reduced size of the EZx Compact – now only 1 meter long – allows for easy installation on production lines that previously would have required custom-fitting or redesign. Lastly, the simplified exterior design makes the EZx Compact extremely easy to use and maintain, which significantly reduces training and support requirements.

Backed by the extensive worldwide Thermo Fisher Scientific service network, the EZx x-ray family allows customers to fulfill their regulatory obligations for food safety and protect their brand value by preventing contaminated products from reaching the customer. EZx systems have been sold and installed in more than 20 countries around the world.  For further information, please visit the Thermo Scientific booth 225 at the 2009 Food Safety Summit or www.thermo.com/ezx. 

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenues of $10 billion, we have more than 30,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.