Periodic Reporting for period 1 - iComplai (AI-powered early warning and surveillance system to identify the risks within the food supply chain)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-07-01 do 2024-03-31
Within the Women TechEU project we aimed:
- To test iComplai in a real operational environment
- To evaluate the test results and optimise iComplai based on these results
- To promote our product and increaste recognition
- To perform an FTO analysis
- To get a complete list of requirements that iComplai needs to comply with
- To carry out a market research study to assess user needs, demand, and market size, to formulate an exploitation and dissemination plan, and a Go2Market Strategies
- To conduct assessment of product development costs, operational costs, marketing and sales costs based on market analysis, BP framework, and design specifications
- To formulate the elaborated BP and Work Plan
We have detected for the first time the following substances in 5 years for chilli peppers: Acesulfame Potassium, Benomyl, Capsaicin, Fenpropathrin, Imidacloprid, Isoprothiolane, Phenthoate, Pyriproxyfen, and Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The analysis of the substances that have led to recalls in chilli products reveals the following:
- Allergen: 3 recalls;
- Bacteria, Bacillus Cereus, Bacillus, Undeclared Sesame, Salmonella, Undeclared Milk, Undeclared Soy, Foreign, Misbranding: 1 recall each.
The highest number of recalls are associated with allergens. This indicates a significant concern in the food safety domain, particularly regarding the accurate labeling of potential allergens in food products. Recalls due to bacterial contamination, including Bacillus and Salmonella, and mislabeling issues such as undeclared sesame, milk, and soy, also emerge as critical issues.
These findings highlight the importance of robust allergen management and accurate labeling practices in the food industry. Ensuring accurate and comprehensive labeling, especially for allergens, is not only a regulatory requirement but also a crucial step in protecting consumer health and preventing costly recalls.
The results of our work within the Women TechEU project indicates that companies should prioritize effective allergen control programs, rigorous testing for microbial contaminants, and meticulous review of product labeling to mitigate these risks. For importers in Europe, where regulations on allergens and labeling are stringent, these practices are particularly vital to maintain compliance and safeguard public health.
Through our pesticide risk prediction, which focuses on unknown-unknowns, we were able to predict the pesticides that are not yet publicly known but are likely to come up on the pepper. The prediction is based on a product / origin combination (e.g. chilli pepper from India).
Through identification of the risks through news streams we were able to identify further risks in the area of food fraud and pests.
Our current system offers real-time monitoring, enabling businesses to address potential safety risks promptly. Personalization is central to iComplai's approach, tailoring risk assessments to individual business needs. The platform is scalable, catering to businesses of all sizes. Emphasizing transparency, the system uses explainable AI techniques and adheres to ethical AI principles, prioritizing data privacy and unbiased predictions. In essence, iComplai is automating food safety management with its AI-driven, ethical, and personalized approach.