This guidance explains how to identify and classify defects in hermetically sealed glass containers used for food preservation. It includes:
- an overview of how glass containers and metal caps are manufactured
- a description of both non-destructive and destructive methods for examining container integrity
- common cap and glass defects, and their classification of serious or minor depending on the potential impact on hermeticity and food safety
- other signs of compromised container integrity that may be observed during examinations