A method for detecting metal particles (21) present in a wall (20) of a glass container (2) intended to contain food or pharmaceutical products, said method comprising the steps of: —heating the metal particles (21) present in the wall (20); —inspecting the container (2) during or after said step of heating the metal particles (21) present in the wall (20). The step of heating the metal particles (21) envisages increasing the temperature of the metal particles (21) to a greater extent than the remaining glass parts (22) of the wall (20). The method comprises the step of inspecting the container (2) using means (71) for detecting the metal particles (21) which are hotter than the glass parts (22) of the wall (20).