Systems and methods for detecting materials in food products

#The present technology relates to systems, devices and methods for the detection of materials in foods and other products intended for human or animal consumption or contact, including allergens, bacteria, viruses, herbicides, pesticides and other contaminants.

#Public awareness of the use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and other synthetic chemicals in farming is increasing. For example, organophosphates, which are common active ingredients in insecticides and herbicides, have been associated with impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, depression, irritability, headaches, insomnia, onset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue, and cancer. Awareness of the toxic effects of pesticides has encouraged many consumers to look for healthy alternatives, such as foods that are produced by organic farming.

#Organic farming relies on natural methods for crop cultivation, such as the use of crop management techniques that do not employ non-natural herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides. For example, organic farms refrain from using synthetic pesticides, hormones, additives, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In the United States, the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) governs the production of, and the identification of, organic foods. Although the labeling of foods as organic is regulated, foods that are improperly labeled as “organic” have been found in grocery stores. In general, organic food might be easily mixed and contaminated with non-organic food during transportation, storage, and sale.

#The present technology will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

#FIGS. 1A and 1B are a graphic illustration depicting a device for measuring analytes in a sample in an opened configuration (FIG. 1A), and in a closed configuration (FIG. 1B);

#FIGS. 2A-2D are a graphic illustration depicting a sample cartridge for a device that measures analytes in a 3-dimensional orientation (FIG. 2A), from above (FIG. 2B), from a side face (FIG. 2C), and from a front face (FIG. 2D); and

#It should be noted that the figures set forth herein are intended to exemplify the general characteristics of devices and methods among those of the present technology, for the purpose of the description of certain embodiments. These figures may not precisely reflect the characteristics of any given embodiment, and are not necessarily intended to define or limit specific embodiments within the scope of this technology.

#The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the composition, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. A non-limiting discussion of terms and phrases intended to aid understanding of the present technology is provided at the end of this Detailed Description.

#The present technology provides systems, devices and methods for detecting undesired materials in consumer products. Such “consumer products” include any product intended for consumption, contact, or other use by a human or animal (such as a household pet or other companion animal). Consumer products include, for example, foods (such as produce, meats, dairy, food components, and processed foods), cosmetics, personal care compositions (such as shampoos and skin care products), and health care products (such as over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, and nutritional supplements). As referred to herein, such “undesired materials” include chemicals, chemical compositions, organisms or organism by-products that are aesthetically, physiologically, or otherwise undesired by a consumer of the consumer product. For example, the technology provides methods for detecting food-born pathogen bacteria and viruses in the analyzed sample. Such pathogens include Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Listeria, Norwalk virus, and others. Additionally, the present technology can be used for chemical and biochemical assays. These assays can comprise mediators (chromophores, redox mediators, fluorophores) or amplification components (enzymes, electrocatalysts, etc.).