How Smart IoT Devices are Following in these Giants’ Footsteps
to Help Solve Today’s Food Safety Challenges
The French scientist Louis Pasteur is perhaps best known for his landmark research on microbial fermentation and pasteurization, which laid the foundation for modern food safety practices.
But did you know that he also discovered “biological handedness?”
In 1848, as Science Magazine explains, “Pasteur discovered that some molecules essential for life exist in mirror-image forms, much like our left and right hands.”
“The technical term is “chirality,” from the Greek kheir (“hand”),” writes The Big Think. “In fact, our hands are an excellent example of chiral asymmetry. Just put one on top of the other. They do not match, which is why you do not want to have two left-handed gloves.”
Today, when an organization is poorly organized, it is sometimes observed– derisively if humorously – that the left-hand doesn’t know what the right is doing.
When it comes to matters of food safety, and of an organization’s brand and reputation, such misalignment is no laughing matter.
From ancient civilizations to the modern era, ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply has been essential for public health and societal well-being.
Behind the advancements in food safety are pioneering scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding and addressing the challenges of foodborne illnesses, contamination, and preservation.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent scientists in food safety history, examining the problems they solved and how their discoveries continue to shape the food industry today:
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895):
Often hailed as the father of microbiology, Pasteur made groundbreaking discoveries that laid the foundation for modern food safety practices.
His research on microbial fermentation and pasteurization revolutionized food preservation and hygiene.
Pasteur demonstrated that heating food and beverages to specific temperatures could kill harmful bacteria and pathogens, thereby preventing spoilage and disease transmission.
His work paved the way for the development of pasteurization techniques still used today to ensure the safety of dairy products, juices, and other perishable foods.
John Snow (1813-1858):
John Snow, a British physician, is best known for his pioneering work in epidemiology and his investigation of the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in London.
By meticulously mapping cases of cholera and identifying the source of contamination as the Broad Street pump, Snow effectively traced the spread of the disease to contaminated water.
His work laid the groundwork for understanding the transmission of waterborne diseases and emphasized the importance of sanitation and clean water supply in preventing foodborne illnesses.
Today, Snow's legacy lives on in the emphasis on water quality and sanitation standards in the food industry.
Alice Catherine Evans (1881-1975):
Alice Catherine Evans, an American microbiologist, made significant contributions to the field of food safety through her research on brucellosis, a bacterial infection transmitted from animals to humans through contaminated dairy products.
Evans discovered that the bacteria responsible for brucellosis, Brucella abortus, could be present in unpasteurized milk and transmitted to consumers, leading to outbreaks of undulant fever.
Her advocacy for the pasteurization of milk and the implementation of strict hygiene measures in dairy production helped prevent the spread of brucellosis and improve the safety of dairy products for consumers worldwide.
Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935):
Auguste Escoffier, a French chef and culinary innovator, may seem like an unlikely figure in food safety history, but his contributions to culinary hygiene and kitchen organization were instrumental in shaping modern food safety practices.
Escoffier introduced rigorous hygiene standards in professional kitchens, emphasizing cleanliness, proper food handling, and temperature control to prevent foodborne illnesses.
His emphasis on culinary hygiene laid the groundwork for the adoption of standardized food safety protocols in commercial kitchens and restaurants, setting a precedent for safe food-handling practices in the food service industry.
Today that legacy continues with kitchen staff who adhere to the HAACP protocols, including using food temperature probes and temperature monitoring devices for food stored in walk-in coolers and freezers.
Sonicu serves scores of food service organizations with our simple and affordable HAACP-focused solutions, including food probes that make it easy to record temperatures of food as it's ready to be served as well as inside cold and frozen environments where food is stored until it's ready to be prepared.
William A. Esty (1895-1955):
William A. Esty, an American food scientist, made significant contributions to food safety through his research on food irradiation as a method for food preservation.
Esty's pioneering work demonstrated that exposure to ionizing radiation could effectively kill bacteria, parasites, and pathogens in food without compromising nutritional quality or taste.
His research laid the foundation for the development of food irradiation technologies used today to enhance the safety and shelf life of various food products, including meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.
Esty's contributions have played a crucial role in reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring the safety of the food supply.
Mary Engle Pennington (1872-1952):
An American chemist and bacteriologist, Mary Engle Pennington was a trailblazer in the field of food preservation and safety.
Pennington's research on refrigeration and cold storage techniques revolutionized the transportation and storage of perishable foods, reducing spoilage and preventing foodborne illnesses.
She also played a pivotal role in establishing standards for food quality and safety testing, advocating for rigorous testing protocols and quality control measures in the food industry.
Pennington's work laid the foundation for modern food safety regulations and set a precedent for the importance of science-based approaches to food safety and quality assurance.
Today there is a multi-billion-dollar industry focused on food logistics that is supported by temperature monitoring companies like Sonicu. Refrigeration is an incredible technology that makes our modern food supply chain function, but it’s also prone, like any mechanical product, to malfunction and human error.
That’s why a remote, wireless temperature monitoring solution like Sonicu can play an instrumental role in helping protect food storage with powerful alerts and also with automated reporting that makes compliance far less cumbersome.
Tackling Today’s Food Safety Challenges
As the global population continues to grow, ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply chain has become increasingly complex.
Today, food safety challenges are diverse and multifaceted, ranging from microbial contamination to supply chain traceability.
Fortunately, advancements in technology, and brilliant Internet of Things (IoT) devices, offer innovative solutions to tackle these challenges head-on.
Here are some of the key food safety challenges facing the industry today and how smart IoT devices – including those offered by Sonicu – can help solve them:
- Microbial Contamination:
One of the most significant food safety challenges is microbial contamination, which can lead to foodborne illnesses and outbreaks.
Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can contaminate food at various points along the supply chain, from farm to fork.
Smart (connected) devices equipped with sensors can continuously monitor critical parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pH levels in food processing facilities, storage areas, and transportation vehicles.
Real-time monitoring enables early detection of deviations from safe conditions, allowing for immediate corrective actions to prevent microbial growth and contamination.
Sonicu's temperature and environmental monitoring systems continuously monitor critical parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air quality in food processing facilities, storage areas, and transportation vehicles.
Early detection of deviations from safe conditions enables prompt corrective actions to prevent microbial growth and contamination.
Sonicu's real-time alerts notify personnel of potential risks, allowing for immediate interventions to maintain food safety and quality.
- Supply Chain Traceability:
Ensuring traceability throughout the food supply chain is essential for quickly identifying and containing food safety issues.
However, the global nature of food supply chains makes traceability challenging, especially when dealing with complex, multi-tiered supply networks.
Connected devices, digital sensors and probes like those offered by Sonicu, enable seamless tracking and tracing of food products from grower to end user.
These devices record and store data at each stage of the supply chain, providing transparent and immutable records of product origin, handling, and distribution.
Improved traceability enhances accountability, facilitates recalls, and mitigates the spread of contaminated products.
- Temperature Control and Cold Chain Management:
Maintaining proper temperature control is critical for preserving the quality and safety of perishable food products, particularly those in the cold chain, such as fresh produce, meats, and dairy.
Temperature fluctuations during transportation, storage, and display can compromise food safety and lead to spoilage.
Sonicu's temperature monitoring solutions offer real-time insights into temperature conditions throughout the cold chain, ensuring proper temperature control and preservation of perishable food products.
Automated alerts notify stakeholders of temperature excursions, enabling timely interventions to prevent product spoilage and maintain food safety.
Sonicu's remote monitoring capabilities enable personnel to monitor temperature conditions from anywhere, at any time, facilitating proactive management of the cold chain.
- Allergen Management:
Allergen cross-contamination poses a significant risk to individuals with food allergies and intolerances.
Accidental exposure to allergens can lead to severe allergic reactions and even life-threatening consequences. Peanut allergies are the most obvious - and for many parents terrifying - but there are many other food allergy threats that need to be accounted for in the food safety industry.
- Compliance with Regulatory Standards:
Meeting regulatory standards and food safety regulations is a top priority for food manufacturers, processors, and distributors.
However, compliance can be challenging due to evolving regulations, complex supply chains, and varying regional requirements.
Sonicu's compliance monitoring solutions automate the monitoring and reporting of regulatory standards for food safety as it relates to temperature and environmental conditions.
Integrated systems collect and analyze data in real time, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and facilitating regulatory audits and inspections.
Sonicu's customizable reporting functionalities provide comprehensive documentation of compliance efforts, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing the risk of non-compliance penalties.
- Remote Monitoring and Management:
Managing food safety across multiple locations and facilities requires efficient communication and oversight.
Sonicu's cloud-based software platforms enable remote monitoring and management of food safety operations across multiple locations and facilities.
Stakeholders can access real-time data, receive alerts, and collaborate with team members from anywhere, at any time, enhancing communication and oversight.
Sonicu's remote monitoring capabilities improve operational efficiency, streamline decision-making processes, and ensure proactive management of food safety risks.
Here are some case studies illustrating the value Sonicu solutions provide on everyday basis:
Indiana University Health: Enterprise Hospital For Temp, Humidity, Air Pressure
"Sonicu has got eyes on the building while we don't. I can go home at night and know that Sonicu doesn't go to sleep,” a Sonicu customer said.
“Sonicu doesn't get tired. Sonicu doesn't take vacation. Sonicu doesn't complain. It does what it's supposed to do in the background.”
Sonicu offers a comprehensive suite of innovative products and solutions designed to address today's most pressing food safety challenges.
By leveraging advanced sensor technology, a cloud-based software platform, and real-time monitoring capabilities, Sonicu empowers food industry stakeholders to enhance food safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize operational efficiency across much of the supply chain.
With Sonicu's comprehensive solutions, food businesses can safeguard the integrity and safety of their food supply, ultimately protecting consumers and building trust in the food industry.
As we continue to confront new challenges and emerging threats in food safety, it is essential to honor the legacy of these pioneers and build upon their contributions to ensure a safer and more secure food supply for generations to come.
