The overall objective is to develop and commercialize a handheld patent pending sensor-technology for determination of freshness and prediction of shelf-life for meat and fish. The device could be considered an intelligent nose, 1000 times more sensitive than the human nose, and from database values, forecast the precise and correct expiration date. The nozzle of the handheld device, in hygienic design, is pressed against the surface of the meat or fish and measures, within seconds, the concentration of degradation molecules in the meat and thereby the freshness. Prediction of expiration date is accomplished by forecast curves for the development of that particular piece of meat or fish.
In contrast to the human senses this device gives a measurable value for freshness and is able to predict expiration dates. In comparison to 48 hours microbiological analysis, which can also determine freshness, use of our device does not require trained personal, it is cheap and can be used on-location and gives result immediately, including prediction of shelf-life. This will significantly reduce food waste of these highly valuable but also highly unsustainable products.