Advancements in gaseous sensor technology for ensuring food safety: a review

Abstract

Food waste is a significant global issue, and a large proportion of discarded food originates from domestic households. This underscores the need for effective methods to determine when food is no longer safe to consume, which could significantly reduce food waste. Current disposal practices largely rely on expiration or use-by dates, which often do not accurately reflect food spoilage due to varying storage conditions. Moreover, foodborne illnesses, which pose serious public health risks, highlight the need for more accurate spoilage detection methods. Recent advancements in food spoilage sensors, particularly those using colorimetric gas detection, offer promising solutions. These sensors, which detect spoilage gases without direct food contact, are enhanced by new materials and improved data analysis techniques. This review focuses on colorimetric gas sensors, exploring their principles and methods, including the use of user-friendly devices and image processing technologies. It also addresses the challenges and future directions for developing effective food spoilage sensors.