BRIN prepares a food detection tool for the Free Nutritious Meal Program

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency is developing a tool to detect signs of food that is starting to rot in the Free Nutritious Meal or MBG program.

The tool called Food Guard is placed on a container or food container. The device uses a number of sensors and artificial intelligence to read the gas that appears when food begins to spoil.

BRIN Head Arif Satria introduced the technology when meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday, August 6.

"One example is Food Guard, a device placed on the oven to detect decay gas using multisensors and AI models," said Arif.

Multisensor is a combination of several detection devices that work by reading the condition of the food. Data from the sensor is then analyzed using an AI model to recognize signs of spoilage.

Food Guard is part of BRIN's innovation to support the MBG program chain. The research developed includes food ingredients, processing machines, packaging, halal detection, distribution, to AI-based monitoring systems.

However, Arif has not explained the accuracy level of Food Guard, the detection time, the price of the device, nor when the device will be used in the implementation of the MBG program.

BRIN has also not specified whether Food Guard will be installed on all ompreng or only used as a screening tool in kitchens and distribution points.

The technology is important because the food in the MBG program goes through the cooking, packaging, transportation, and distribution processes. Changes in temperature and distribution time can affect the condition of the food before it reaches the recipient.

Arif said that various results of BRIN research must be met with the needs of the government, industry, and society. The goal is that technology does not stop as a prototype in the laboratory, but is actually used.