Smart sensor solutions for food quality assessment

The centre is led by Nofima, with Sintef Smart Sensor Systems and NMBU (Norwegian University of Life Science) as the major scientific partners.

Developing inline smart, sensor-driven solutions

Food quality varies a lot in colour, shape and chemical composition, and this hampers efficient food processing. The inline measurement of this quality in process is extremely complex and challenging due to the inherent high level of biological variation in raw materials. We will develop advanced sensor solutions based on a fundamental understanding of food science, processing and modern sensor technology, which will allow the food industry to effectively measure and handle these variations in true time. We will also introduce robotics to enable automatic measurements in challenging processes and in the field.

Massive assessment of the essential food qualities throughout the value chains will pave the way for a radical digital transformation of the food production. Based on such quality measures, we will develop novel strategies for process control with the aim of reducing food waste and increasing profitability. We will also study and develop concepts for how large scale quality measurements can be used for

1) support and optimization in primary production, and

2) differentiation of product quality to different consumer segments, with the aim of reducing food waste also in households.

Centre for research based innovation (SFI)

The SFI research centres are The Norwegian research council’s long-term initiative in innovative and strategically important areas.

Nofima is part of the following SFI centres:

CtrlAqua | DigiFoods | SFI Harvest

New knowledge for innovation in several areas

The raw material costs make up about 70% of the cost of the final food product, so the key to reducing waste and increasing profitability is to control and utilize the raw material variation in the best possible way.

The connection of information from farm/boat to consumer will give us a better understanding of which factors that affect food quality, and this can give us foods of higher quality and a more sustainable food production.

The food industry is the largest land-based industry in Norway, it already relies on a high degree of automation and R&D based solutions and is well positioned to take a leading role in digital food processing. New food sensors and analytical technology will give Norwegian technology companies international competitiveness.

A multi-disciplinary team comprising food companies, technology providers and research institutions is highly motivated to collaborate. The industrial partners will participate in all research tasks, committing essential in-kind contributions to the project.

The centre aims to increase digital competence in Norway through the education of masters and PhD candidates. DigiFoods will function as an innovation hub for food industry, scientific community and technology providers. Development of new in-line sensors can lead to innovation and growth for the food companies and more opportunities in the global marked for all the technology providers.