Electronic nose sniffs trouble

NEWS An electronic nose capable of detecting packaging contamination risks in food has been unveiled by a French engineering firm. The nose, known as Fox, is the creation of Alpha Mos, and uses sensors to analyse the quality of the polypropylene packaging. The sensors react individually to the presence of molecules in the air and then build up a comprehensive report. The company likened the technology to testing for olfactory fingerprints. It claims Fox can determine the concentration of any solvents and additives. Fox is already proving it has a nose for the job in discriminating between different coffees through the smell of the beans.