Catching Produce Problems Before They’re Visible?
A blueberry can look perfectly healthy on the outside, but there could be a problem hiding beneath the skin.
And researchers at the University of Georgia are working on a way to find it.
They're combining artificial intelligence with light-based sensors to detect changes inside fruit without cutting it open.
Blueberries are just one example of the university's broader research into reducing food losses after harvest.
One concern is insect infestations. Some pests lay eggs inside blueberries, leaving behind problems that aren't always visible from the outside.
UGA researcher Christopher Kucha is training AI models to recognize changes that could signal an infestation, potentially allowing affected berries to be sorted out before they're shipped.
The university recently highlighted this work, but the technology is still being developed. It's not something growers can simply purchase and put to work.
For growers, that could mean fewer rejected shipments and less money lost after harvest. And for consumers, it could mean a better chance of getting the quality they're paying for.
For more, visit https://research.uga.edu/news/safeguarding-americas-food-supply-preserving-what-we-produce/
