1. Room A-COPA-COGECA, Rue de Tréves 61 1040 Brussels
TOXDTECT
TOXDTEC
“Innovative Packaging for the Detection of Fresh Meat Quality and Prediction of Shelf-Life”
FP7-SME TOXDTECT
Workshop, September 15th 2016
Room A-COPA-COGECA, Rue de Tréves Brussels

2. Aim
The TOXDTECT project aims to develop an innovative packaging solution for meat products with improved sensing capabilities able to determine the quality of fresh beef and predict its remaining shelf-life using an external reader containing an intelligent decision system.

3. Benefits Expected
Better stock management for retailers and reduction of meat waste
Clear labelling system. Increased consumer satisfaction by getting information about the accurate shelf-life of the product they are purchasing
Potential extension of “best before” date estimated by meat producers, according to the measurements of the sensors from the meat product
Development of sensor embedment technology on flexible substrates and intelligent packaging systems

4. Solution
The system will consist of an array of passive sensors embedded in the film of the package that will measure the presence and concentration of different Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) highly representative of the quality of meat.
The external reading device will power the sensors, capturing the data.
Finally, this data will be analyzed by intelligent software which will decisively determine the quality of the meat and the remaining shelf life of the product.

5. Scientific Objectives
Identification of target metabolites representative of beef meat spoilage
Deeper understanding and accuracy optimization of existing sensing devices and selection of most suitable sensing strategy
Multilayer film design & materials compatibility study. Understanding compatibility and adhesion between layers in lamination processes
Study and develop a cost-effective production technology for functional multilayer films.

6. Technological Objectives
1. Development of an innovative sensor array printed in the film material.
Sensor array development onto flexible substrates with a sensing technology compatible with printing technology. Indirect detection of end product spoilage through detecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

7. Technological Objectives
2. To develop a multilayer film
Integration of the two film layers functionalized with the printed sensors:
It´ll be complying with the food packaging regulations EN1186, EN13130, EU 2002/72.
The cost of functionalized film will be < 9 €/Kg.

8. Technological Objectives
3. Development of a suitable reading device:
Optimal interface between embedded sensors and external reading device. Values obtained from the reading device will match 95% with the values read directly from the embedded sensors.

9. Technological Objectives
4. Design of an electronic decision making system (software) for meat quality assessment based on predictive algorithms
Implementation and successful testing of the predictive system with real meat in packages. The algorithms will achieve an accurate performance, achieving prediction results within a confidence interval of +/- 0.1 in unknown validation meat data.

10. Project Results Four project results are expected from TOXDTECT:
IPR-1: Beef spoilage VOC Database
IPR-2: Functionalized film
IPR-3: External reading device
IPR-4: Integrated system (package + reader)

11. The Consortium
IAGs
SMEs
RTDs

12. Supply Chain

14. Room A-COPA-COGECA, Rue de Tréves 61 1040 Brussels
TOXDTECT
TOXDTEC
“Innovative Packaging for the Detection of Fresh Meat Quality and Prediction of Shelf-Life”
FP7-SME TOXDTECT
Workshop, September 15th 2016
Room A-COPA-COGECA, Rue de Tréves Brussels