New sensors detect spoiled food via packaging

Summary

Sensors developed by Flemish researchers will assess whether products at the grocery store are fresh enough for sale

Sensors will confirm – or deny – sell-by date 

Researchers from the Flemish universities of Ghent (UGent), Leuven and Brussels are co-operating with the Dutch Radboud University Nijmegen to create the CheckPack sensor. The sensor will provide details on the freshness of food, without the need to open the package. They will also be able to check the condition of the packaging itself, such as if it contains any holes.

The sensor should be incorporated into packaged food products at supermarkets within five years. “The technology will be to the benefit of manufacturers, distributors and consumers alike,” says Annick Verween, project manager at the centre of excellence Food2Know at UGent. “The sensor will track down products that are spoiled before the theoretical expiration date and confirm that other foods can be sold after that date.”

The researchers will first focus on the analysis of meat and fish and will then later expand into fresh produce and biscuits. Eventually, the goal is to translate the concepts to, among other industries, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.

CheckPack has received €2.6 million in funding from the Flemish government’s Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology.

http://www.checkpack.ugent.be