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Insights from SILL 5:

Tackling Ugly Food Waste with Cutting-Edge Innovation

Food waste is a persistent challenge in Europe, with approximately one-third of the EU's agricultural production discarded as “ugly food” due to imperfections, despite being perfectly edible. The ZeroW project’s Systemic Innovation Living Lab 5 is at the forefront of addressing this issue by developing innovative technologies for early-stage classification of tomatoes.

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Early Identification to Reduce Waste

The current methods for processing “ugly food” are poorly automated and implemented late in the supply chain, leading to inefficiencies and significant food loss. SILL 5 is changing this by utilizing advanced multi-scan technologies to analyze tomatoes for shape, defects, color, firmness, and sugar content. Additionally, a next-generation sensor device can classify tomatoes as organic or non-organic.
 
These technologies not only reduce food waste but also provide benefits across the supply chain.
  • For producers: They save energy, time, and resources while minimizing discarded food and improving logistics through better batch management based on shelf life.
  • For retailers: Products with a known shelf life enable better inventory management, more targeted offers for consumers, and streamlined logistics.

Advancing Sustainable Food Systems

By preventing perfectly edible tomatoes from becoming waste, SILL 5 also promotes the second-life valorization of products, turning them into items such as gazpacho or juices.

These efforts are conducted by CTA along with partners Grupo La Cana, IFAPA, and Multiscan Technologies

 

Learn more about SILL 5

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