Challenge Ensuring the quality and safety of fresh produce throughout the supply chain remains a significant challenge in the food industry. While temperature-sensitive indicators are commonly used to track exposure to suboptimal storage conditions, they fall short in providing direct, accurate insights into actual food quality or spoilage. A more specific and responsive method is needed to improve consumer trust, reduce waste, and support better decision-making across the supply chain.
Solution This project focuses on developing low-cost, user-friendly calorimetric sensor indicators integrated into packaging materials. These sensors respond to gases released during food spoilage by changing colour, providing a clear and intuitive signal of produce freshness in real time. Unlike existing temperature-based indicators, this approach directly reflects the biochemical changes associated with spoilage, offering greater specificity and reliability. In addition to fresh produce, the platform will be extended to monitor beverages, where the sensors will interact with liquid samples rather than gases, broadening their applicability.
Impact The introduction of smart, visually responsive packaging enables stakeholders across the food supply chain to monitor freshness and quality more accurately. This innovation not only improves food safety but also contributes to waste reduction and supply chain efficiency. By laying the groundwork for applications in both solid and liquid food monitoring, the project has the potential to transform how food quality is managed, setting new standards for smart packaging in the industry.
