Advancements in rapid contaminant detection systems, such as DNA sequencing, pathogen detection methods, and spectroscopy, allow for faster and more accurate identification of pathogens, allergens, and chemical residues compared to traditional testing methods, said Josie Greve-Peterson, corporate microbiologist for food safety specialist PSSI Food Safety Solutions.

Meanwhile, improvements in UV-C light technology provide a non-chemical way to sanitize or disinfect surfaces and packaging materials, thus reducing the risk of contamination.

And when it comes to enhancing traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain, blockchain technology is being used to track fresh food products in real time. It’s a technology that assists companies in the prompt identification of safety or quality issues or in the facilitation of recalls.

PSSI, Greve-Peterson said, embraces these and other innovative technologies in an effort to effectively meet the food safety requirements of its partners.

One new product in development, she said, is specialized equipment designed for the reconditioning of processing water.

The technology has many distinctive features. It relies on the mechanical removal of particles, debris as small as 10-12 microns in size. An additional benefit of the equipment design is that filters or screens are not required, which reduces preventive maintenance and optimizes operation for users.

“Preliminary work in poultry processing applications indicates water quality can significantly improve throughout production,” Greve-Peterson said of the technology. “Moreover, this equipment decreases the microbial load simply by keeping the water cleaner. Other benefits include decreased overall water usage and decreased sanitation time of downstream equipment.”

Recent advancements in technology continue to transform how food is kept safe, Greve-Peterson said.

Robotics and automated systems, for instance, handle and process food, which minimizes the chances of potential contamination from human contact.

And enhanced monitoring in the form of sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) devices are used to track environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and pH levels during the storage and transportation of product.

This article is an excerpt from the August 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Food Safety feature and more in the digital edition here.