Inline real-time 4.0 quality monitoring in food production

An EU-funded project is using innovative technology to fight against food waste and loss.

Today, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food produced in the world every year gets lost or wasted. The food industry is in dire need of new solutions that will enhance food safety and security across the food chain. To address this, the FoodMonitor project is developing a food scanning system called Sherlock FoodMonitor. This system will evaluate the chemical composition of foodstuff to detect variations in product quality and identify potentially harmful substances in both raw materials and produced foods.

A closer look at the system

“The FoodMonitor system analyses the chemical composition of the material to be processed at all critical stages of the production line,” explains Professor Anton Scheibelmasser, project coordinator. At the beginning of the production line, the system will scan and analyse raw and unprocessed food and identify foreign objects. In the middle, it will verify and confirm the precise chemical composition of products for better processing. At the end, it will confirm the end product is both safe and up to the producer’s quality standards.

Through this system, operators have a complete, real-time picture where they can adjust to the different production steps according to the real characteristics and quality of food products. For example, they can optimise production at product level according to efficiency, health and sustainability aspects. Ultimately, this leads to improved food security, efficiency and sustainability as well as the reduction of waste.

The journey towards Sherlock FoodMonitor

An outline of the project’s work plan, the required analysis and challenges that needed to be addressed during the feasibility study were achieved in phase 1 of the project. Prof. Scheibelmasser adds: “Through an in-depth analysis of the global food analysis and supply chain market we gained greater insight into the market in which Sherlock FoodMonitor will be commercialised.”

A detailed Freedom to Operate analysis also assured that the project could proceed to the next stage unimpeded, and an analysis of the technical developments investigated the system moving from technology readiness level 6 (TRL6) to TRL9. Using Porter’s five forces, the project assessed the threat of new entrants, of substitutes, and the bargaining power of customers and of suppliers. Using the 4P’s analysis (pricing, product, place and promotion) they were able to define their financial strategy.

Phase 1 also saw to the project preparing a detailed work plan for phase 2, including a resources assessment. This led to a comprehensive budget for the development of this work plan and a through risk assessment plan that identifies the proper mitigation measures for phase 2 of the project.

The future of FoodMonitor

The project plans to develop the TRL9 device, called Food Monitor, in phase 2 of the project. Prof. Scheibelmasser explains: “Once our device is finalised and we have working prototypes, we will partner with a select group of current customers to implement our food scanning system into their product line to evaluate how it functions in real-life conditions.”

Being well-positioned for commercialisation, project partners will also continue to leverage their customer portfolio to obtain valuable insight into commercial expansion and plan for market introduction and distribution.

In April 2019 the project will seek funding for phase 2. A total budget of approximately EUR 1.55 million is required to develop the Food Monitor. It is anticipated that a revenue of about EUR 50 million will be achieved during the first 5 years post-phase 2 commercialisation.

Reference source: Inline real-time 4.0 quality monitoring in food production