Food Processing
enterpriseTarget: Meat and fish processors
If you are a processor dealing with high spoilage rates in chicken or salmon — this project developed predictive analytics and bioprotection technologies that extend shelf life and safety.
MICROORC · Project
Microbiome Control Tools to Extend Food Shelf Life and Reduce Waste
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Think of food like a tiny city of bacteria; some keep it fresh, while others make it spoil. This work creates a 'traffic control system' to manage these bacteria using smart labels and better packaging. It helps stores know exactly when food is actually bad instead of just guessing based on a printed date.
By the numbers
20
partners
12
industry partners
3
factories providing data
3
countries for consumer acceptance testing
The business problem
What needed solving
Food waste is driven by microbial spoilage and conservative 'best before' dates that don't reflect actual food safety. This leads to unnecessary disposal of safe food and financial losses for retailers and producers.
The solution
What was built
A suite of tools including predictive shelf-life models, smart labels (TTIs), rapid microbial assays, bioprotection solutions, and specialized packaging.
Audience
Who needs this
Fresh poultry and seafood processorsPlant-based meat manufacturersSmart packaging developersFood retail chain quality managers
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Packaging
mid-sizeTarget: Smart packaging manufacturers
If you are a packaging company dealing with static expiration dates — this project developed time-temperature indicators and smart labels that allow for dynamic date labelling.
Alternative Proteins
SMETarget: Plant-based meat producers
If you are a producer of meat analogues dealing with unpredictable spoilage — this project developed rapid detection assays for microbial indicators to ensure product stability.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price of these solutions?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost structures for the developed tools and services are not provided.
Can these technologies be used at an industrial scale?
Yes, the project collected data from 3 factories and involves 12 industry partners to ensure the solutions are suitable for industrial environments.
How is the IP and licensing handled?
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, though the project identifies legal baselines and regulatory challenges for commercial use.
What regulations affect the rollout of smart labels?
The project has specifically identified regulations that may hinder the commercial use of smart label technologies.
When will the results be ready for market?
The project period runs from 2023-11-01 to 2027-10-31, indicating that final validated results will be available toward the end of 2027.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 60% industry ratio (12 companies out of 20 partners), suggesting a strong focus on commercial viability. With partners across 10 countries, the project has a broad European market reach and includes 3 SMEs, balancing large-scale industrial capacity with agile innovation.
How to reach the team
Contact NOFIMA AS in Norway for technical inquiries.
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to connect with the MICROORC consortium for pilot opportunities.
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