LED technology in Burgenland: Enjoy fresh fruit & meat longer!

LED technology in Burgenland: Enjoy fresh fruit & meat longer!

In Burgenland, an innovative project to extend the durability of food is currently being tested. Lumitech Lighting Solution GmbH from Jennersdorf deals with the use of special LED lighting in supermarkets. The aim of the project named "Led4foods" is to slow down the spoilage of fruit, vegetables and meat products. This is done in cooperation with the Institute for Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Graz. Every year around 19 kilograms of food end up in the trash, which there is a large part of fruit and vegetables, which underlines the urgency of such projects.

The special lighting is to be installed in the showcases of the supermarkets in order to increase the durability of the products. Examinations already carried out show that meat remains fresh longer under the correct lighting conditions. Scientific studies show that different light levels can influence biological processes, which supports the project's approach. The current tests are about to end; If successful, this could become a significant progress in the fight against food waste.

scientific basis and challenges

experts from Burgenland are working to systematically research the effects of light on fruit and vegetables. Various types of fruit and vegetables are examined in controlled test environments, whereby data on weight, strength, pH value, sugar content and discoloration are also collected. The use of LEDs as a semiconductor enables a precise setting of the color spectrum, which is of great benefit to research. There are challenges here because supermarkets are only hesitant to provide information about the spoilage of specific products.

global dimension of food waste

The importance of the project becomes clear when you look at the global statistics for food waste. It is estimated that almost a trillion euro of food is produced annually, which are ultimately not consumed. This corresponds to almost a third of all foods produced. In industrialized nations, end consumers are responsible for most of this waste, while in developing countries infrastructure deficiencies are the main cause. Optimized technologies for food safety and minimizing waste are therefore essential to effectively reduce waste.

Innovative inspection technologies, such as AI-based metal detectors, can help save food from disposal by recognizing impurities at an early stage. The use of such techniques can not only improve food safety, but also actively contribute to reducing food waste. However, in order to make sustainable progress, a collaboration of everyone involved in the value chain is necessary.

Kosmo reports that the implementation of "led4foods" is a promising approach in the fight against food waste. The combination of scientific research and practical application could be the key to reducing waste in supermarkets and thus making a valuable contribution to environmental protection.

In summary, it can be seen that innovative approaches to securing food and extension are decisive in order to achieve both economic and ecological goals.