Knowing what is in the food that enters a country is a time consuming and costly exercise. Unfortunately, it’s also a necessary one as the situation with imported honey in the UK continues to illustrate.
In a bid to make sure developing nations are getting foods with the nutrients they need, Millhouse International has launched a new solution called DetectX. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, DetectX is able to test food for the presence of micronutrients, Palmitate in particular which is added to foods such as sugar in developing nations as a way to combat malnutrition.
“With DetectX, the industry can provide qualitative results and assume quantitative results using machine learning techniques paired with aggregated past data. Using DetectX requires minimal training and can be done at very low costs per test. Small and big millers alike will be able to police the presence of and then assume the quantity of micronutrients present in produce. Once samples are flagged as ‘inadequate’ they can then send samples to laboratories to comprehensively confirm suspicions,” explains founder of Millhouse International, Andre Redinger.
The firm identified that food testing infrastructure on the African continent wasn’t at a level it should be. This means that food that may not pass checks can make its way to citizens. DetectX allows for the entire value chain to be audited constantly and that’s great news for end consumers.
“DetectX will ensure that regulations set by governments are met, that costs remain low, that the testing process is air-tight and streamlined, and that the food basket is adequately fortified. The wonder of technology has done so much for other industries – now it is agriculture’s turn,” adds Redinger.
Millhouse International also works with ministries, activists and civil society. The firm engages these entities through its non-profit initiatives the Southern Lodestar Foundation and the Lodestar Center of Excellence.
While Millhouse International does supply premixes to countries, it’s great to see the firm expanding its knowledge and enabling countries so that they can insure their citizens are getting the right nutrients no matter where they are sourced from.
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]
