ARS | Publication request: Sustainable wireless sensing technologies for imported foods inspection

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 8, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Food-borne illnesses typically occur due to contamination of food products with Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes and other pathogens. Unfortunately, it takes several weeks to identify the source of such contamination, possibly due to lack of a central database system that is capable of tracking shipments of food products and a real-time food safety decision tool. In addition, the volume of imported foreign foods to the US has been increasing at an alarming rate since 1994, which makes inspection at port-of-entry a daunting task. This research proposes the development of an information infrastructure for food safety using sustainable Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) and wireless sensing technologies. This system will consist of a) a passive RFID interface for sensing of shipped items, b) a portable handheld system for automatic data logging and alerts, and c) a central database system for food safety data and coordination. The proposed system will facilitate automatic data logging and real-time data reporting, networking, and coordination among the various users of food safety information, from production to consumption. The proposed system can be expanded in the future to a comprehensive food safety and risk assessment system for tracking all food products within the US.