Israeli food testing co Yarok wins int'l award

Mahaneh Yehudah Market photo: Tamat Matsafi
Mahaneh Yehudah Market photo: Tamat Matsafi

Yarok has developed a fast method for testing food for dangerous bacteria.

Jerusalem-based Yarok Technology Transfer Ltd., a developer of fast, accurate tests for the food industry, has received the International Award 2017 for “Innovative Ideas and Technology on Agribusiness” from UNIDO ITPO Italy (the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development), CNR - the Italian National Research Council, and Seeds & Chips under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation.

Yarok was one of five winners selected from over 330 entries from 80 countries submitted to the competition.

The winners were announced last week at the opening of a special conference entitled “Inspire Power - Food Security for Developing Countries” as part of the Seeds & Chips Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan. The award ceremony was opened by keynote speaker Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Seeds & Chips 2017 was opened by former US President Barack Obama.

The contest aimed to identify the world’s most innovative technologies and ideas in agribusiness to improve the socio-economic, food safety and security conditions in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).

Yarok has developed a technology and a fast testing system for the food industry that is able to provide results in 45 minutes as opposed to the long hours or days required by current testing methods. By testing raw materials, or the finished product, the system indicates either product conformity, or the presence of dangerous bacteria (e.g., E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella, etc.), for decision-making support on allowing -- or preventing -- delivery of fresh products to Points of Sale. Yarok’s system is already implemented in Israel and Italy.

For the UNIDO ITPO Italy competition, Yarok identified a problem affecting LDCs wherein export possibilities to First World markets are missed due to food safety regulations and limited access to technological solutions.

Yarok CEO Jonathan Sierra said, “We’re honored to receive this award for our project which aims to empower farmers from LDcs by means of our fast testing technology. One major barrier LDC producers face are developed countries’ high food safety standards. Adapting the Yarok system to LDC needs will, we hope, open export opportunities.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 14, 2017

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2017

Mahaneh Yehudah Market photo: Tamat Matsafi
Mahaneh Yehudah Market photo: Tamat Matsafi
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