Detection of contamination on lamb carcasses: reducing waste, improving efficiency and meat safety (C-DeS)

The project brings together a multi-disciplinary consortium comprising key industry innovators in the UK lamb supply chain working with Aberystwyth University to develop a commercial system for the in-abattoir detection of contamination of carcasses by faecal and gut matter. This contamination has the potential to cause food waste through spoilage and reduced shelf-life, also contributing to the spread of disease-causing organisms. The fluorescence based technology, patented by Aberystwyth University has been developed to the stage where it requires industrial design, testing and demonstration. The consortium will produce an automated machine (C-DeS), capable of detecting contamination in lamb processing (extendable to beef) and integrate it into an abattoir work-flow. The project will then verify the operation of the C-DeS machine and calibrate it to feeding regimes and the thresholds of contamination to make it a useful addition to meat processing operations.