By Cath Isabedra In the quiet orchards of New Zealand, a revolution is brewing—one that doesn't rely on sight or touch, but on smell. Scentian Bio, a biotechnology company led by CEO Jonathan Good and founded by scientist Dr. Andrew Kralicek, is pioneering a way to digitize smell using insect olfaction. This breakthrough may soon change how the food industry approaches ripeness, contamination, and sustainability—starting with the humble kiwifruit. From destructive to … [Read more...] about Smelling the future: How insect-inspired tech is redefining food safety and ripeness detection
food safety
The hidden fragility of food safety — and the urgency to reinvent the system
By Cath Isabedra Behind the well-stocked shelves and seemingly seamless supply chains, the global food system is facing a quiet crisis. In 2024, food recalls surged dramatically, largely due to preventable bacterial contamination. It’s no longer surprising that consumers are asking harder questions, regulators are tightening their grip, and companies are waking up to the reality that the status quo is no longer good enough. The real question isn’t whether food safety can be improved … [Read more...] about The hidden fragility of food safety — and the urgency to reinvent the system
Driving global food transparency: How Ireland is using traceability to advance sustainability goals
By Cath Isabedra Food systems across the globe are under immense pressure to evolve. Consumers demand to know not just what’s in their food, but where it comes from, how it was made, and what it costs the planet. Against this backdrop, Ireland has made traceability the cornerstone of its national sustainability goals. Rather than branding or promotional campaigns, the real value lies in what the system achieves: measurable environmental stewardship, social accountability, … [Read more...] about Driving global food transparency: How Ireland is using traceability to advance sustainability goals
