Descripción del proyecto
Un indicador de frescura táctil para reducir el desperdicio de alimentos
Las fechas de caducidad que figuran en los envases de los alimentos no son exactas a la hora de determinar que los alimentos ya no sean comestibles después de esa fecha. Las fechas de caducidad, si bien son indicativas, provocan el desperdicio de alimentos, la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y el despilfarro de agua potable. Además, son perjudiciales para las empresas. Los estudios demuestran que la mayoría de los alimentos (60 %) que aparentemente han caducado siguen siendo comestibles. Mimica ha desarrollado un indicador de frescura táctil y una etiqueta de caducidad alimentaria que imita con precisión la velocidad de descomposición de los alimentos. El indicador utiliza una gelatina específicamente diseñada y expuesta a las mismas condiciones que los alimentos y a los gases emitidos por los alimentos en descomposición, que proporciona una indicación del estado del producto en tiempo real. El proyecto Mimica Touch, financiado con fondos europeos, comercializará el indicador e identificará asociaciones comerciales y posibles clientes.
Objetivo
Current printed expiry dates are inaccurate and conservative estimates, which can’t predict the condition that the food product is exposed to. This results in 33% of all food being wasted (1.2 billion tonnes). Of this food 60% is still edible and was disposed of prematurely. Food waste also causes 1.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, wastage of 40-50% of drinking water and many retailers and consumers to spend excess money on wasted food.
Mimica Touch is a tactile freshness indicator and food expiry label that uses specifically designed gelatine to accurately mimic the decay rate of food. The gel is exposed to both the same conditions as the food and the off-gases emitted from expiring food, thus giving a real-time indication of the product’s freshness. The gelatine is specifically calibrated to experience and mimic each food product’s decay. It offers many benefits: Low-cost, accurate solution; Food waste reduction; Increased food safety; Valorises waste material; Improved social inclusion; and Applicable in a wide range of uses and industries.
Mimica Touch is the only tactile food expiration indicator that is biologically active, resulting in an unrivalled accuracy. Not only can it significantly reduce food waste but also offers and increase to profits and savings for all stakeholders. Mimica resides in the UK, where the technology was first developed and where significant links with customers and users of the solution have been secured. Within the project, Mimica intend to hire personnel to identify commercial partnerships and possible clients throughout Europe. Mimica foresee future employment growth of 32 jobs in the early stages of commercialisation.
The proposed work in Phase 1 of the SME instrument fits into the overall plan to reach market by contributing the financial resources needed for a fast, sound & wider deployment of the bioreactive food expiry label & the market uptake.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairy
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growing
Programa(s)
Convocatoria de propuestas
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoriaConvocatoria de subcontratación
H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1
Régimen de financiación
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinador
EC2A 4DP LONDON
Reino Unido
Organización definida por ella misma como pequeña y mediana empresa (pyme) en el momento de la firma del acuerdo de subvención.