Development of innovative sensing devises and methodologies for ensuring agri-food quality and safety

The packaging of agricultural products is of paramount importance for managing the food supply with innovative and safe products. The consumer, at the same time, is increasingly aware of the impact of packaging on the environment ensuring that the value of packaged agri-food products depends on the threefold control, quality, protection. The present study reveals new possibilities that cover (a) food safety and traceability by applying smart packaging solutions, and (b) ensuring and verifying the authenticity of packaged agri-food products. The innovative sensors and procedures which are being developed enable novel intelligent traceability systems aiming to provide product quality and safety information to effectively control the supply chain and predict the remaining shelf-life of the product. To this end, low-cost, batteryless wireless interdigital sensing systems equipped with two-way response antenna, have been directly deposited on packages made of any material or shape, having the possibility of integrating in real-time with packaged agri-food products. Also, new methodologies are being developed, aiming to verify food authenticity leading to the protection of the consumer from fraud, counterfeiting or improper packaging of protected designation of origin products such as dairy products, olive oil, as well as herbs and spices.