The consortium have performed the first round of technical development of the solutions, collected data for the sustainability analyses, and established the legal baseline for the upcoming work:
- Data to be used in the predictive analytics models was collected from three factories. Furthermore, to be able to link microbiome to food waste, consumer accept of chicken during storage was determined in three countries and linked to microbiome and sensory measurements
- Market overviews were made, identifying main stakeholders and technologies available on the market (smart labels, packaging materials and biosolutions). A consumer survey to evaluate potential market uptake of technologies and corresponding effect on food waste was done.
- For smart labels, two technologies were developed and evaluated, and a life cycle analysis was performed for one technology. Regulations that may hinder commercial use was identified.
- For development of rapid assays, spoilage organisms were identified based on data collected in the project and external data.
- For biosolutions, a panel of solutions were tested and evaluated for effect on the length of shelf life. Also, a guideline for selecting biosolutions using a holistic approach, targeting food processors was made. Regulations that may hinder commercial use was identified.
- The effect of replacing present packaging materials with more sustainable packaging concepts on shelf life was investigated. Policy issues linked to food packaging was identified, and preparations for sustainability analysis made
A platform for dissemination, communication and exploitation has been established, e.g through the project website, social media sites, a stakeholder database, communication materials and by identifying and discussing Key Exploitable Results across the consortium.
