Technology company Seafood Analytics will return to Seafood Expo North America / Seafood Processing North America this year from 19 to 21 March, showcasing its cutting-edge Certified Quality Reader (CQR) hand-held tool.
The company, which has exhibited at the show for three consecutive years now, notes that its CQR handheld, non-invasive instantaneous screening and data collection device can be used by various figures and entities across the seafood supply chain.
“Whether you are a fisherman, processor, distributer, buyer, retailer, restaurateur or consumer, the age-old question, 'How fresh is this seafood?' can now be answered objectively and with certainty using our CQR device,” said Michael Liedtke, co-founder of Seafood Analytics. “The CQR is in action every day, solving the age old industry problem when it comes to determining the freshness and quality of seafood along the supply chain—now real-time instant measurements allows anyone to touch a fish with our device and get a complete analysis of the quality and freshness of their seafood."
Since March 2016, the company has expanded to several key new areas along the supply chain, including:
- Top 10 Global Grocery Chain – Seafood Analytics is working with a top 10 global grocery chain distribution center to increase quality and freshness of its seafood.
- Top 5 Foodservice Distributors – Seafood Analytics is working with a top 5 foodservice distributor to show how inbound and outbound objective quality measurements can better help with inventory management and supplier selection.
- Top 10 Harvesters/Processors Handling Applications – Seafood Analytics has implemented initiatives with two of the top 10 harvesters/processors providing a clear value proposition of the CQR in proper handling practices, icing techniques and overall care of the fish.
Many companies within the retail, processor and foodservice sectors are now utilizing the CQR device to analyze their seafood product to increase quality/freshness, reduce shrink loss, manage inventory, determine inbound supplier selection and set pricing strategies accordingly to highlight quality, said Seafood Analytics. The device works by measuring, with electrical currents, how much the cells inside a given fish species change over time depending on conditions.
“The measurements can be taken anywhere from catch to freezing, or catch to consumption,” according to the company. “The ability to take repeatable, accurate and quantifiable measurements of seafood has been a welcome addition to guaranteeing its quality and freshness, and the CQR continues to revolutionize the entire seafood industry.”
Recently, Seafood Analytics collaborated with Ecotrust, Oregon State University and three small-fleet fisheries on the west coast of the United States to explore and analyze the perception of frozen seafood’s freshness. In a questionnaire proctored to a consumer panel, over 100 people revealed that they preferred frozen, or thought the frozen product was as good or better than the non-frozen (“fresh”) counterpart. Moreover, 95 percent of participants said they would change their buying habits if an objective quality of fish was known.
“Science proves that freezing halts degradation and by measuring product prior to freezing the CQR can prove it while providing much-needed confidence to the consumer. Frozen seafood is easier to ship, has a much longer shelf life, has very little shrink and can provide consumers with a high-quality product,” the company determined.
“Seafood Analytics continues to shift the industry from subjective to objective quality, which is having tremendous ramifications within the industry. We are empowering the entire supply chain to more efficiently manage inventory for the benefit of the end consumer,” said Dr. Keith Cox, Co- founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Seafood Analytics. “The introduction of a 21st century technology to one of the oldest industries keeps opening new chapters and can improve quality, increase efficiencies and provide solutions to everyone within the fisheries supply chain.”
Both Cox and Liedtke will be a part of panel discussions during SENA17. Details for their appearances can be seen below:
- Michael Liedtke, Co-Founder of Seafood Analytics, will be participating in a panel discussion titled, “Achieving Full Transparency in Chilled and Frozen Seafood in Food Service Distribution,” on Monday, 20 March, 2017 from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Room 152. The panel will present and discuss the progressive steps the industry is taking to provide the best quality of seafood possible through transparency.
- Dr. Keith Cox, Co-Founder of Seafood Analytics, will be a co-presenter along with Ann Colonna of the Food Innovation Center for Oregon State University on “Understanding Consumer Perceptions of and Preferences for Fresh-frozen vs. Fresh” on Tuesday, 21 March, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. - Room 153 A/B.
Seafood Analytics will be exhibiting at SENA at Booth #672.
