AI sensors could potentially help retailers and suppliers reduce food waste, according to a study from Flinders University.
Researchers said the technology could help businesses identify spoilage before products are unnecessarily discarded, reducing waste-related costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with food loss.
Vi-Khanh Truong, associate professor at Flinders University, said this type of technology has the potential to improve sustainability outcomes.
“Many examples of AI-integrated sensors are being used in the food industry for product safety, quality maintenance and optimised production efficiency,” Truong said.
“The review highlights the strong potential of AI-integrated sensing systems to reduce energy consumption, fuel usage and food waste across the supply chain.”
Truong said conventional methods of assessing food quality and safety are often labour-intensive, time-consuming and difficult to scale.
“The global food supply chain faces an escalating need for monitoring systems that are not only accurate but also rapid, non-destructive and scalable,” he explains.
Several technologies are already being adopted across the industry, including AI-enabled optical sensors, hyperspectral imaging, electronic noses, spectroscopy tools and IoT-connected sensors.
“Collectively, these technologies support a more sustainable and resource-efficient food industry by reducing waste generation, lowering fuel and electricity consumption, and improving overall supply-chain sustainability,” Truong added.
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