Quick and mobile control of fresh meat
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A complete and reliable meat control is important - in the sense of consumer protection and food producers. With a new mobile analyser, the freshness of meat can now be determined more quickly and a higher test coverage in the processing chain can be ensured. The recently completed "FriMo" research project further developed the device to market maturity. The project management agency of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is in charge of this project.
FreshDetect GmbH
The mobile analysis device "freshdetect" determines the bacterial count on the meat surface within a few seconds. A real-time measurement takes place, which does not require any sampling. With the methods currently used, results are typically only available two to four days after sampling. The condition and shelf life of meat products can thus be assessed much more quickly and process hygiene improved.
Faster results along the processing chain
Tests under practical conditions in fine disassembly and processing show that the new measuring method paves the way from random sampling to tight control along the retail chain. Employees in meat processing plants and in the trade can thus quickly assess the freshness and microbial status of meat on site and control the flow of goods in a result-related and timely manner.
Standardised comparison of over 300 samples of minced meat
In the research project "Experimental development and validation of a hand-held scanner for determining the freshness and hygiene status of meat (FriMo)", the total bacterial count of over 300 samples of minced meat was determined under standardized conditions in two different ways. On the one hand classical methods were applied, on the other hand the fluorescence spectra were measured with the new "freshdetect" device.
Based on the interrelations between the two measurements, a calculation was developed to predict the total bacterial count. With a determination limit of about 2,500 colony-forming units (CFU), the hand-held instrument even allows quantification of the total bacterial count well below the warning value.