Innovations in the Food Safety Monitoring System: An Overview

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 420,000 people die due to food contamination every year. Unsafe food gives way to fatal diseases ranging from diarrhea to cancer which leaves serious threats in food consumption. However, nowadays, cutting-edge digital solutions provided by various companies in food monitoring are playing a crucial role in making their way to public health betterment. This has invariably surged the demand for the most advanced monitoring systems. Hence, the food safety monitoring systems market has gained massive popularity in recent years.

How does a Food Safety Monitoring System Operate?

Based on core principles of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint, a food safety monitoring system is a technically assisted observational design executed through certain protocols and practices. By using sensors, data analytics, and traceability tools, it predicts and mitigates potential hazards, complies with regulatory standards, and furnishes manufacturers and customers with assurance regarding the safety, integrity, and quality of their food. It also involves structuring and organizing a business model dedicated to maintaining safety guidelines, and by doing so, it promotes the food safety culture across the food chain.

What were the Initial Technological Innovations?

From the earliest methods of trying to preserve food through manual activities to the melding of technology and food safety, the pursuit of keeping the food safe has undergone a long trail of dynamic changes. Some of the initial innovations include refrigeration, canning, pasteurization, transport refrigeration units, etc.

With the invention of data loggers, the core blue-collar activities in safeguarding the quality of food are now replaced by a quantified, traceable, errorless, streamlined workflow that can reflect a wide range of instant conditions.

Recent Innovations in the Food Safety Monitoring System

Some of the recent innovations in the food safety monitoring system include:

• UV-C Light: UV-C light is a novel invention which effectually kills viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms on the surface. Low-pressure mercury lamps, such as Phillips TUV Lamps, kill the organisms even if they are immune to other methods of disinfection and are ideal since 90% of the emitted light is at 253.7 nm wavelength. UV-C light is also used for water treatment in food processing and increasing the shelf life of fresh, minimally processed, liquid food.
• Temperature Monitoring Systems: The development of temperature monitoring systems has enabled the prevention of temperature-sensitive food spoilage which helps the manufacturer or business owner to redirect labor to customer service. Such a system is especially helpful for restaurants as it helps to mitigate food waste, contamination, and customer illness, thereby earning profits and improving reputation. For example, SensoScientific, a full-service temperature monitoring solution, offers simple, accurate, remote temperature monitoring through immediate alert notifications, comprehensive reporting, and unlimited cloud-based data access. With such an E-Control System one can view a snapshot of the entire operation 24/7 from any compatible phone, tab, or computer.
• New Packaging Tray: In July 2023, McMaster University researchers developed a boat-shaped new packaging tray that sends an alert if the food has pathogenic bacteria contamination. This innovation is expected to enable producers, retailers, and consumers to test whether their packaged food is contaminated without having to open it.
• Mini PH sensor: Khengdauliu Chawang, a PhD student at Southern Methodist University developed a flexible PH sensor (2mm in length and 10mm wide) that can measure the exact limit of freshness in food through PH monitoring along the entire food supply chain. This sensor has been successfully tested on fish, fruits, honey, and milk. Made with a small number of biocompatible materials, the production of these disposable sensors is inexpensive and does not require a semiconductor, cleanroom environment.
• Thermal Biosensor: Researchers have recently introduced a novel thermal biosensor, based on screen-printed electrodes operated by a simple surface imprinting procedure. These SPEs, in combination with the heat transfer method, can detect E. coli in real-time.

Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Blockchain in Recent Innovations

With the development of world trading and globalization, the need to upgrade food safety monitoring systems has become a necessity. Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Blockchain technology enable tamperproof, transparency, and traceability, collecting a large amount of data from farm to fork. This is done through various technologies like cloud computing, laboratory information systems, quality management systems, mobile apps, and training compliance tools that provide errorless, real-time evaluations. Advancements in robotics have developed vacuum-like grippers that can handle unwrapped and delicate food without hampering its freshness, without having to compromise numbers or quality.

The Bottom Line

The food industry and other stakeholders have started providing increased vigilance regarding food safety and quality assurance. New food production systems, improvement of coherence and efficiency of food legalization, consumer awareness, and a wide range of audits, inspections, and research is anticipated to contribute to the growth of the food safety monitoring system market. Digital checklists, wireless alerts, and observations will continue to assist the food ecosystem, paving the way for a secure and sustainable public health framework.

For market players seeking deeper insights and detailed analysis of the food safety monitoring system market, contact Research Dive analysts today.

About the Author(s)

   

Abhinav Chandrayan

Abhinav Chandrayan has worked in the Writing industry for 2 years, gaining experience in Media & Advertising and Market Research Industry. As a seasoned writer, he is passionate about advancing his writing skills by reading and working on versatile domains. In addition to writing, he is also involved in filmmaking, where his films have won many awards at International Film Festivals.