Skip to content

FoodGuard-2 High Resolution Germanium Gamma Spectroscopy Workstation


The FoodGuard-2 workstation is an out-of-the-box system to meet the needs of agencies needing to accurately quantify the levels of radionuclides in food. By the use of a high resolution high purity germanium (HPGe) radiation detector, each and every gamma-emitting radionuclide in the sample may be quantified in terms of specific activity in Bq/kilogram or Bq/liter. Designed specifically for agricultural monitoring, FoodGuard-2 presents an intuitive software interface to move you from test setup to clear results quickly.

  • Complete, out-of-the-box solution designed specifically for measuring gamma ray emitting radioactive contaminants in food and water.
  • Simple and interactive user interface to increase efficiency and decrease error.
  • Editable activity limits tables derived from international standards for permissible radiation levels in food.
  • Configurable alarms activated when activity level, percentage, or sum of activities is exceeded.
  • Professional and customizable reports, in HTML and PDF format, for easy sharing and archiving of results.
  • Supplied pre-calibrated with a 40K check source and 2-liter Marinelli beakers.
  • Operator selectable calibration files for supporting additional sample containers and geometries.
  • Literature +

  • More Information +


    The ORTEC FoodGuard-2 workstation is a ready-to-use, full featured system for performing sophisticated analysis of food, water, and other agricultural samples containing any form of gamma ray emitting radioactive material which can be present following an accident or terrorist incident. By the use of a high-resolution, high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector, each and every gamma ray emitting radionuclide in the sample is quantified in terms of specific activity in Bq/kg or Bq/liter.

    The FoodGuard-2 workstation software includes example limits tables from international regulatory organizations, such as the USFDA and World Health Organization, for acceptable activities of radionuclides such as 137Cs, 134Cs, and 131I. These tables can also be customized with additional nuclides and different limits to meet your specific needs.

    When the system arrives, an administrator sets up the sample types, alarm limits, and report outputs in a few easy steps. An operator then enters a few key pieces of sample information using the interactive user interface, places a sample in one of the included Marinelli beakers, and starts counting. During the count, the software provides feedback such as a spectrum and alarm notifications before presenting a professionally formatted report that can be shared or archived. The operation is optimized for high efficiency and clear results. 

    Minimum Detectable Concentration
    MDC is specified for a 20% detector and 2 liter Marinelli beakers of liquid which come standard with the system. MDCs for larger detectors and longer count times will be lower. Calibrations for additional sample densities and geometries can be created using the add-on software GammaVision. Once created, the operator can easily load different calibrations for different sample runs.

    FoodGuard-2 System Configurations
    The system is complete, pre-calibrated, and configured when ordered from ORTEC. You can choose from a range of detector efficiencies (20% to 60%) and cooling options when ordering.
  • Ordering Information +


    Contact your sales representative for more details of this product.