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ASNInsta Test is a newly developed proof-of-concept test. Allowing food manufacturers to measure asparagine instantly.
About
This innovative project aims to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle acrylamide formation in food products, a critical issue for the food industry. With the EU Commission set to implement maximum acrylamide levels by June 2025, food manufacturers face increased regulatory pressure. Failure to comply could lead to significant financial losses, estimated at £680,000 per product recall, posing a substantial threat to the UK economy. Through AI-driven strategies, the project seeks to enhance food safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Challenges Addressed
- Health Risks: Acrylamide, a compound linked to neurotoxicity and potential carcinogenic effects, is a serious health concern. This project aims to mitigate these risks, improving public safety and consumer trust.
- Economic Impact: Compliance with acrylamide regulations is challenging and costly. AI-driven solutions will streamline processes, reduce operational costs, and improve productivity. Will safe millions of pounds on Product recall.
- Environmental Concerns: Optimising cooking methods can reduce energy consumption, lowering the environmental impact of food manufacturing.
Innovation and Objectives
The project will utilise AI product-specific, data-driven strategies for acrylamide reduction, supported by comprehensive tools for initial testing, process optimisation, and compliance documentation. Collaboration with stakeholders across the UK food value chain will ensure effective implementation.
Key objectives include:
- Reducing Acrylamide Levels: Develop and implement tailored strategies to minimise acrylamide formation in food products.
- Optimising Manufacturing Processes: Enhance efficiency and productivity through AI-driven insights and solutions.
- Strengthening Industry Collaboration: Build partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers for seamless adoption of mitigation measures.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved Food Safety: Achieve significant reductions in acrylamide levels, enhancing consumer confidence and public health.
- Regulatory Compliance: Help manufacturers meet strict acrylamide standards, avoiding penalties and recalls.
- Increased Efficiency: Streamline operations, reduce costs, and shorten time-to-market with AI innovations.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Foster strong relationships across the food industry to support strategy implementation.
Value and Support
The project seeks funding to invest in AI R&D, expand services for UK food manufacturers, and provide targeted mentorship programs. Impact metrics will be established to measure the success of the initiative.
This forward-thinking project will address pressing public health concerns and support economic resilience and environmental sustainability. It represents a transformative step in the UK's approach to food safety, aligning with global regulatory standards and positioning the industry for long-term success.
Key Benefits
Acrylamide is a potential carcinogen that forms during high-temperature cooking in starchy foods. Since the European Commission is introducing Maximal Levels for acrylamide by mid-2025, food manufacturers must take immediate steps to mitigate this issue. Large manufacturers have been working on reduction strategies since 2010, leveraging advanced tools, research, and expertise. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the resources, knowledge, and technical capacity to address acrylamide concerns effectively. This project bridges the gap, enabling SMEs to access affordable, AI-driven solutions for acrylamide reduction, ensuring they remain competitive, compliant, and sustainable.
Business Need, Technological Challenge, or Market Opportunity
The food industry faces significant challenges:
- Awareness Gap: Many small manufacturers are unaware of the health and regulatory risks posed by acrylamide.
- Resource Limitations: SMEs often lack the funds and infrastructure to invest in acrylamide mitigation.
- Regulatory Pressure: Non-compliance with upcoming acrylamide regulations could lead to financial losses, including penalties and product recalls.
- Market Opportunity: Providing SMEs with an accessible, data-driven AI platform offers an untapped market opportunity to democratize food safety innovation.
Similar Innovations and Their LimitationsLarge food manufacturers have implemented acrylamide reduction strategies, but these are tailored for their specific operations and require significant investment. Current solutions include enzymatic treatments and process adjustments, which are expensive and resource-intensive. The limitations include:
- Lack of scalability for SMEs.
- High cost and complexity of current technologies.
- Insufficient support for data-driven decision-making tailored to small manufacturers.
- This project addresses these gaps by offering an AI-driven platform that is cost-effective, adaptable, and accessible for SMEs.
Existing Work and Project FocusCurtis Analytics has been actively working on acrylamide testing and mitigation for years, collaborating with manufacturers to understand their needs. This project builds on our expertise by integrating AI into the development of a reduction platform. We have also engaged in early-stage pilot testing to evaluate AI's potential to deliver tailored solutions.
Wider Challenges and Opportunities
Economic: SMEs need cost-effective tools to compete with larger companies.
Social: Improved food safety benefits public health and consumer trust.
Environmental: Optimised cooking processes reduce energy consumption.
Regulatory: Compliance with acrylamide regulations protects businesses from penalties and recalls.
Cultural: Promotes equitable access to advanced technology for all manufacturers, regardless of size.
This project not only addresses regulatory and safety concerns but also promotes economic resilience, innovation, and sustainability within the food sector.
Applications
Target Market for ASNInsta Test and AcrylaAI: Global Acrylamide Reduction Strategies
The target market for the ASNInsta test and AcrylaAI spans diverse industries and stakeholders, unified by the urgent need to address acrylamide levels in food products. These innovative solutions cater to food manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and allied industries directly impacted by acrylamide regulations or seeking advanced tools to enhance product safety, compliance, and sustainability.
1. Food Manufacturers
The primary target market includes global food manufacturers that process high-risk raw materials such as potatoes, wheat, rye, oats, maise, beans, and lentils. These manufacturers produce snacks, baked goods, breakfast cereals, fried foods, and other products prone to acrylamide formation due to high-temperature cooking processes. Key market segments include:
- Multinational corporations in the snack food, bakery, and ready-to-eat sectors, which are heavily regulated in both developed and developing economies.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking for cost-effective and scalable solutions to meet compliance requirements without compromising product quality.
2. Regulatory and Compliance Authorities
Governments and food safety regulatory bodies in regions such as the EU, North America, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets are significant stakeholders. With the EU’s upcoming implementation of maximum acrylamide levels by June 2025, and similar regulations already in place in California, these organisations require tools like the ASNInsta test for monitoring and AcrylaAI for guiding compliance strategies.
3. Supply Chain Stakeholders
- Raw Material Suppliers: Farmers and suppliers of potatoes, cereals, and other high-risk crops can benefit from the ASNInsta test to monitor acrylamide precursors (free asparagine and reducing sugars) at the pre-harvest stage.
- Food Ingredient Companies: Providers of cooking oils, enzymes, and flavouring agents can utilise AcrylaAI insights to adjust ingredient profiles for reduced acrylamide formation.
4. Contract Testing Laboratories
Laboratories offering third-party testing services represent a crucial market. ASNInsta enhances their service portfolio by providing rapid, on-site testing capabilities, while AcrylaAI supports detailed analysis and mitigation planning for clients.
5. Sustainability-Focused Organisations
Companies and industries committed to reducing their environmental impact are key markets for AcrylaAI. Its ability to optimise cooking processes not only minimises acrylamide formation but also reduces energy consumption, aligning with sustainability goals.
6. Consumer Advocacy Groups
Organisations promoting food safety and public health can leverage the insights provided by these tools to advocate for safer food production practices.
Geographical Focus
The solutions target markets worldwide, with immediate emphasis on regions enforcing stringent acrylamide regulations, such as:
- European Union: Upcoming acrylamide maximum levels mandate compliance across all member states.
- North America: California's Prop 65 already requires labelling acrylamide levels in food products.
- Asia-Pacific: Growing regulatory frameworks in nations like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
- Emerging Markets: Rapidly industrialising nations with an increasing focus on food safety and exports.
Market Value Proposition
The ASNInsta test offers rapid, accurate detection of acrylamide precursors, enabling manufacturers to address issues proactively. AcrylaAI complements this with comprehensive, AI-driven strategies for reducing acrylamide levels, optimising processes, and ensuring compliance. Together, these solutions empower food manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements, enhance consumer trust, and reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
The ASNInsta test and AcrylaAI cater to a broad market with high growth potential. By addressing the critical challenge of acrylamide reduction, these tools position Curtis Analytics as a global leader in innovative food safety and compliance solutions.