Ovine carcase inspection/contamination management - On-site validation & process integration
This project trialled Veritide’s BluMax scanner in an ovine processing facility to detect chlorophyll-based faecal contamination, strongly correlated with E. coli, in real time, aiming to improve food safety, reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency. While initial goals focused on guiding trimming, the most valuable outcome was the system's potential to drive upstream process improvements and provide rich data for quality control and traceability. The harnessing of the BluMax technology requires the industry to consider the implications of increased rigour in potential E. coli contamination identification, intervention and change in processes for validating the extension of shelf life via improved hygiene standards. The project revealed broader commercial opportunities, including a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) model and future applications in automation and broader contaminant detection.