Prevent food waste through sensors

Sensor technology makes it possible to monitor the quality of fresh produce during transport, allowing you to intervene quickly if something goes wrong.

Real-time

This is evident from research conducted by Joost Snels (Wageningen University & Research), Johan Kruysse (Van Oers United) and Akshay Bhoraskar (TNO). They presented the results on September 21, 2021 at Brightlands in Venlo.

The research shows that food waste due to quality loss during transport can be prevented with the deployment of sensors that collect data on the ripening process, real-time modeling of quality spoilage and the application of these predictions within the transport chain. With this smart technology it is possible to monitor the quality of fresh products during transport in an affordable way, allowing - if necessary - real-time intervention in the logistics chain.

Feasibility

The research took place with a wide range of participants: from research, education and technology development (sensors, AI) to importers of fresh products. The focus was on the feasibility and applicability of this concept. A number of clear conclusions were drawn:

• The concept will have its added value especially on international land freight transport as intervening in the logistics here is considered the most feasible;
• Being able to speed up and/or adjust the processes in one's own operations (especially importers, shippers, cargo owners) can already lead to added value in the shorter term;
• The technology and the rapid technological developments not only strengthen this concept, they also make it possible in the short to medium term;
• For the proper implementation of the concept, it is important to also connect the (international) retailers;
• Adapting cooperation and contract forms is necessary
• Developing the correct and reliable quality progression models will still provide a world of research.

Source: Brightlands