Flexible mid-infrared photonic solutions for rapid farm-to-fork sensing of food contaminants

Over the course of its implementation, the PHOTONFOOD project developed and validated a novel photonics-based solution for detecting microbial and chemical contaminants in food across the entire production chain. By combining mid-infrared (MIR) sensing, smart paper-based microfluidics, and advanced data analysis, the project delivered two portable devices: the MI-FI (Mid-Fidelity) for low-cost, daily monitoring, and the HI-FI (High-Fidelity) for accredited reference analysis. These tools were tested in real-world conditions, demonstrating their usability, reliability, and potential to reduce reliance on time-consuming lab-based testing.

The PHOTONFOOD project directly contributed to key EU objectives, including the Farm to Fork Strategy, the European Green Deal, and the Digital Europe Programme by offering practical, sustainable tools for contamination detection. Having advanced the MI-FI and HI-FI devices to Technology Readiness Level 6, the project demonstrated that rapid, cost-effective, and portable solutions can complement or replace traditional lab-based methods. Looking ahead, the consortium encourages continued investment in photonics-based innovations, stronger regulatory support for their adoption, and deeper collaboration with stakeholders to enhance food safety, traceability, and resilience throughout the European food supply chain.