Intelligent logistic management of the cold chain of perishable foods - FEFO methodology

• Grant number: 19/00713-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: May 01, 2020 - January 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Cíntia Carla Melgaço de Oliveira
• Grantee: Cíntia Carla Melgaço de Oliveira
• Host Company: Cintia Carla Melgaco de Oliveira
• CNAE: Atividades de pós-colheita
• City: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Vivaldo Silveira Junior
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/02594-9 - Intelligent logistic management of the cold chain of perishable foods: FEFO methodology, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Food losses in the various sectors of production chain are significant in the Brazilian scenario. For perishable products that require the cold chain for its commercialization, incorrect packaging has several disadvantages, such as the loss of quality and shortening shelf life, leading even to the absence of them at consumers' table. These factors lead to a decrease in the products added values, reductions in food safety and large undesired environmental impacts. Thus, the current researches challenge is focused on the search for technological solutions to reduce losses in the various stages of production, which are motivated by infrastructure failures and inadequate product handling. In this context, one of the major technological problems associated with the perishable products commerce is the inadequate management of product distribution. The product management methodology applied today in Brazil, FIFO (First in, first out), does not take into account the actual product lifetime, but rather the one specified in the label. In other words, this methodology does not contemplate the conditions of exposure that can occur during the productive chain. On the other hand, the FEFO (First expired, first out) management methodology is capable of covering the hole product dynamic lifetime, providing an intelligent distribution management. Therefore, the objective of this project is to implement the FEFO management methodology in the cold chain of perishable foods, considering the dynamic and remaining product lifetime. In order to achieve this goal, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies must be applied to record the location and exposure conditions (temperature and relative humidity) of the products, which will be associated with an algorithm that estimates its loss of quality and the remaining useful lifetime. Thus, a decision-making indicator will be obtained for intelligent management of product distribution. The data platform with the remaining product lifetime before the its rejection by the final consumer will directly communicate with the logistics platform of the respective distribution centre for the definition of possible target markets. The application of FEFO methodology in the cold chain of perishable foods will obtain an intelligent distribution management, which will consider the remaining food lifetime, the ambient conditions and the time to be elapsed until the next link in the cold chain. With the application of this methodology, numerous results will be generated in the social, economic, ethical and environmental spheres. These results will impact the image of the future company and undoubtedly in the market. (AU)