Strawberries can be quite temperamental fruits, requiring specific temperatures to preserve their freshness and quality.
In a recent interview, Steve Statler, a food safety expert at Wiliot’s Ambient IoT, expressed his concern over the declining quality of strawberries available in stores. He found that the best strawberries could be found in his own backyard or at small fruit markets along the roadside.
“I’ve searched every supermarket for good strawberries, but they either lack flavor or spoil quickly,” Statler remarked.
Ambient IoT’s innovative wireless tracking labels, equipped with heat sensing technology and capable of transmitting data through Bluetooth and 5G, are being used to monitor the temperature and humidity of produce throughout the supply chain. This technology is particularly beneficial for food companies looking to optimize their supply chain processes.
Preserving the quality of fresh produce is a challenging task due to their short shelf life. The journey of a fruit from the farm to the grocery store can accelerate its aging process, especially in warm environments, which can be detrimental to strawberries.
“Unlike bananas or oranges, strawberries lack a protective outer layer, making them more susceptible to spoilage,” explained Statler.
By utilizing Ambient IoT labels, food companies and retailers can effectively monitor the lifecycle of their strawberries. The platform can alert users if fruits are not stored in optimal conditions, such as being left out on a shop floor instead of refrigerated.
As the food industry prioritizes product traceability, Ambient IoT labels have also been instrumental in tracking the risk of foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella in lettuce.
Statler mentioned that the International Fresh Produce Association has shown interest in adopting these labels. While the focus is currently on grocers rather than food companies, Statler believes that grocers play a pivotal role in driving change upstream in the industry.
“Grocers have significant control over the final steps of the supply chain, which will ultimately influence larger producers like Driscoll’s to embrace this technology,” Statler added.