UCD’s DiTECT project aspires to establish the foundation for future food safety monitoring platforms through data collected in real-time via cost-efficient sensors

Tirlán is proud to be the sole industry partner from Ireland in an EU/China project that brings together research, industrial and food authority partners to make food safer and more sustainable for all.

Tirlán’s role in the project focuses on using imagery to rapidly detect or monitor moisture content and any potential microplastics in food dairy products, ultimately making it more sustainable as promised under the Living Proof sustainability strategy.

The cheese plant in Ballyragget is the testbed for examining variation and develop specific product models for moisture detection through rapid image analysis. They are also looking at microplastic detection methods in dairy powder spikes.

Food Science Analyst, James Anyange, originally hails from Kenya and he works on the joint European / Chinese project in conjunction with UCD. While much of his laboratory work is conducted from his base in UCD working with Prof Colm O’Donnell and Prof Ming Zhao, James has visited Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny on a number of occasions and been to Ballyragget to check on the production process.

James’ appointment is a prime example of how Tirlán is looking outward and really thinking outside the box to attract talent. There are 21 EU partners on this project and Tirlán is the only Irish industry partner. Looking to the future, the work on this project from a food safety to a microplastics viewpoint, very much helps Tirlán deliver on its ESG strategy.

James told Overherd, “I came to Ireland in 2021 to complete my Masters in Food Engineering. I spotted this role on LinkedIn following a recommendation from my supervisor in UCD. I started in April. From day one I was made feel very welcome, very much at home.

Pictured at Abbey Quarter are from left, Prof. Colm O’Donnell UCD DiTECT Project Lead, Dr. Ming Zhao, UCD Postdoctoral Researcher, James Anyange and Joe Tierney, Tirlan’s Head of Regulatory and Food Safety

“Some companies will talk about diversity and inclusion. Tirlán lives by it. There is a great sense of collaboration and teamwork on this project. You are instantly part of a team, no matter where you come from in the world. The townhall meetings are great and it’s an environment in which people’s views are heard and are respected.

“I have Kenyan friends who are studying in Ireland, some in the areas of food safety, others in finance. I’d definitely recommend living and working in Ireland to them. There is a strong collaborative culture here.”