As the product spoils, the bacterial count increases and the label changes color. Because SensorQ™ measures bacterial levels directly and is unaffected by Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) gases, SensorQ™ is the consumer’s only safeguard to show whether MAP-packaged meat and poultry is truly fresh or spoiled.

"The SensorQ™ technology brings freshness monitoring for consumers to a new level and promises to make today’s industry standard, the printed sell-by date label, an item of the past," said Dr. Gunnar Weikert, Chairman, CEO and Founder of Inventages Venture Capital Investments, Inc. "FQSI has impressed me with this innovative product and I look forward to our being able to play an active role in supporting the company."

The investment in FQSI provides DSM a window on the market in food packaging in the U.S.A. Tony de Vrught, Vice President EBA Specialty Packaging, comments: "This is an important milestone for our activities in this new market. Next to our investment, FQSI will be one of the companies we will work with to develop intelligent packaging concepts."

"This cross-border partnership is both timely and extraordinary in its composition," said Marco Bonné, CEO and a founder of FQSI. "Today, when the public is critically concerned with the quality and safety of its food products and the U.S. Congress is investigating MAP practices, there’s no question that the need for our technology is expanding explosively. Through this alliance, not only do we acquire the financial support necessary to bring SensorQ™ to market, but we also gain the opportunity to learn from and leverage the scientific and consumer goods marketing expertise that our partners bring to the relationship."