Spectral Imaging for Contaminant Detection on Fresh Food Produce

Project Information

SPECIMFOOD

Grant agreement ID: 299392

Closed project

Start date 12 February 2013

End date 11 February 2016

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 267 726,90

EU contribution € 267 726,90

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN
Ireland

Objective

This project will focus on the development and validation of spectral imaging sensing technologies for the detection of contaminated and defective fresh produce, and chemical and biological contamination on food products and processing surfaces. The goal of this project is to improve the safety and quality of produce consumed by the public. This work will focus primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, that have been associated with serious agri-food safety related outbreaks, as well as other common products such as apples and tomatoes. Near infrared hyperspectral imaging systems will incorporate multitasking capabilities which allow users to select desired inspection criteria, and to optimize wavelengths and thresholds to address changes in produce characteristics on-the-fly. To address the industry-identified need to survey produce in-field for fecal contamination, technology to detect feces in produce fields will be developed based on a laser-induced fluorescence imaging technology. To address the potential to detect chemical and biological substances of agri-food safety interest, a novel Raman macro-scale imaging system will be developed and validated. This project will provide comprehensive tools for protection of consumers, and prevention of economic losses for the agri-food and health sectors.

The specific objectives of this research are:
(1) Development and validation of multitask in-line real-time inspection technologies for small to large processors that simultaneously detect contaminants and defects of fruits and vegetables.
(2) Development and validation of portable spectral imaging sensing technologies for detecting the presence of chemical and biological contaminants on food products (in-field pre-harvest and during processing post-harvest) and processing surfaces.

Fields of science

• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture › horticulture › fruit growing
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture › horticulture › vegetable growing

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

Administrative Contact

Donal Doolan (Mr.)

• Address: Belfield ; 4 Dublin ; Ireland
• Region: Ireland › Eastern and Midland › Dublin
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• EU contribution: No data