This project aims to develop a low-cost sensor technology designed to solve food traceability problems and reduce food waste. In the event of a food contamination incident, supermarkets choose to throw away all batches of food that may have been contaminated, even if only a small portion of the food is affected. This is often done as a precautionary measure; however, this leads to significant food waste. Authorities need to be able to quickly trace the affected food and identify the cause of the contamination, however, it can take days or weeks to track the source because food travels a complex path of the supply chain.
This project will create colorimetric QR sensor labels on packaging. The QR code will contain a record of a given food’s path through the supply chain, while the colorimetric sensor is designed to indicate food contamination. Such a combination of sensors in a format that can be integrated into food packaging do not currently exist. The sensor labels can be attached to packaging and will inform producers, distributors, and consumers of transportation and storage conditions and contamination. This technology will improve food management and reduce food waste.
