The concept of best before dates on food packaging could soon become obsolete thanks to an innovative smart technology developed by a team of researchers. These inventors have created a series of tests that allow food packages to proactively indicate whether the contents are contaminated.
This advancement is aimed at bridging the gap between food producers and regulators and facilitating the integration of these tests into products to determine food freshness, reduce waste, and prevent disease. could revolutionize the way we prevent this.
Smart packaging replaces expiration dates on food
This new study, now published in the journal Nature Reviews Bioengineering, shows that while the costs of testing associated with smart packaging are minimal (just a few cents per package), the benefits far outweigh these expenses. Suggests.
Food producers wary of passing additional costs on to consumers may find these smart packaging solutions an economically viable alternative to traditional best-before dates.
Researchers say smart packaging could protect producers from reputational damage and costs associated with recalls during foodborne illness outbreaks.
Additionally, this technology could significantly reduce food waste and associated healthcare costs, potentially saving society hundreds of billions of dollars each year around the world.
Balancing safety and cost
“On the one hand, people want to eat safe food. On the other hand, they don't want to pay more for their food, because prices are already high and are only going to get higher. “Because it looks like it is,” said Tohid Didar, the study's lead author and a prominent biomedical engineer at McMaster University.
He emphasizes the importance of initiating discussions between researchers, policy makers, businesses and consumers to collaboratively address these challenges.
Regulatory hurdles in smart food packaging
Adopting this technology will require significant changes to food regulations and packaging practices, which may initially be met with resistance.
Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits are too great to ignore, and researchers are optimistic that the technology will gain widespread acceptance.
current system
Researchers argue that the traditional practice of using “best before” or “best by” dates is not only arbitrary but overly cautious.
This system often results in wasting food that is perfectly safe to eat, at significant costs to both producers and consumers.
As an example, Didal points out that approximately $40 billion worth of food is wasted in Canada each year, more per capita than in the United States or the United Kingdom.
Smart food packaging beyond expiration dates
Since 2018, the research team has developed and validated a variety of packaging-based methods to detect or prevent spoilage that could potentially replace traditional best-before dates. These innovative solutions include:
Sentinel Wrap: A plastic wrap that can detect spoilage and provide a visual indication that food, such as meat, cheese, or produce, is no longer safe. Handheld testing: Devices that provide real-time results allow wholesalers and retailers to identify and remove spoilage. Remove goods from the supply chain before reaching the consumer. Lab on Package: Small-scale integrated testing inside food trays that visually signals spoilage. Sprayable Bacteriophage Gel: A food-safe spray that eliminates harmful bacteria that cause food contamination.
These technologies are designed to detect biochemical signals from common spoilage microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and E. coli, and can be easily adapted to current packaging processes.
Building a collaborative network
“It's one thing to do research in the lab, publish a paper, and apply for a patent, but it's another thing to have a tangible product that people can use,” said lead author and PhD candidate. Shadman Khan said.
The team has been actively working with food producers in North America and Europe, as well as regulatory bodies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, to ensure the technology is practical and compliant with regulations.
Moving from expiration to a detection-based system
Recognizing the need to update approaches to reflect new technological capabilities, researchers advocate moving food freshness and safety from calendar-based to detection-based systems.
Although significant, this change is considered necessary to meet current and future demands for food safety and sustainability.
In conclusion, the development of smart packaging technologies represents a promising frontier in food safety and waste reduction.
This is a call to action for regulators, producers and consumers to reconsider and, in some cases, eliminate outdated methods such as best-before dates in favor of more accurate and reliable metrics.
The entire study was published in the journal Nature Reviews Bioengineering.
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