ST151: Bio FreshCheck

LEONG QIAN YU UNIT KOKURIKULUM

Bio FreshCheck is an innovative bioactive freshness indicator developed to help consumers identify the freshness level of food through visible color changes. It provides a smart, eco-friendly, and affordable solution that addresses major concerns related to food safety, foodborne illness and food wastage. Unlike conventional methods that depend only on expiry dates, smell, or appearance, Bio FreshCheck offers a more accurate and reliable way to assess food quality. The main problem addressed by this innovation is consumers’ difficulty in determining food freshness, especially for perishable products such as meat, fish, and dairy. This often leads to food poisoning or unnecessary disposal of food that is still safe to eat. The objectives of Bio FreshCheck are to enhance food safety, reduce household and industrial food waste, and promote sustainable consumption habits in line with global environmental goals. The innovation was developed using natural pigments extracted from red cabbage that react to pH changes as food begins to spoil. These pigments were infused into biodegradable cornstarch-based bioplastic to form a freshness tag that changes color according to the level of spoilage. The production process includes pigment extraction, film preparation, packaging and field testing. Testing results showed that the color change of the tag is consistent and reliable over seven to fourteen days, improving consumer confidence by forty percent during household trials. The novelty of Bio FreshCheck lies in its practical application of biotechnology and food chemistry to create a low-cost, non-electronic freshness indicator. It is user-friendly, biodegradable, and easy to integrate with food packaging, making it suitable for large-scale use in the food manufacturing and retail sectors. In terms of commercial value, Bio FreshCheck is highly affordable with a production cost of approximately RM38 per unit. Its simple application, scalability, and eco-friendly materials make it attractive to industries, retailers, and consumers. The impact of this innovation extends to health, economy and environment by reducing foodborne illness, minimizing waste and supporting responsible consumption. With strong demand and market readiness, Bio FreshCheck shows great potential for commercialization at local and international levels through partnerships with food producers and packaging companies.