RF DIGITAL NOSE FOR GROUND PRODUCT SMART PROCESSING

GSTA's goal is to make GSTA's emerging contaminant-detection technology accessible to small and mid-size processors through commercialization. The goal is aligned with the MPPRI program. GSTA's team includes three small meat processors who also operate in underserved and HUBZone communities.The project addresses "Priority Area 3: Food Safety" by developing tools and technologies for safe food using sensors to detect physical hazards in meat and poultry products. The project also supports "Priority Area 1: Monitoring and Improving Complex Processes" by providing increased access to data within the processing industry and by offering technologies to increase throughput and improve resiliency. Advances in the project increase the safety of meat products but do not result in reduction of current food processing employees.Small to mid-sized processors need physical contaminant detectors at an affordable cost. Discussions with processors revealed that physical contaminants passing through the 1/8" mesh after grinding are a large concern, but metal detectors engineered for large processors present a financial burden.