ITRI’s Handheld Pesticide Residue Detector, a CES 2018 Innovation Awards Honoree, is a portable device that can determine whether pesticide residues are within a safe range when washing fruits or vegetables. It is a breakthrough in pesticide detection for consumer use, because, until now, pesticide detection was available only through commercial laboratories.
The Handheld Pesticide Residue Detector is easy to operate and read. The user pushes one button to activate the detector, and places the detector in water with the fruits or vegetables. The detector displays lights on the wireless charger indicating results. A red flashing light indicates danger, meaning further washing is needed; a yellow flashing light displays while washing is in progress; and a green flashing light signals that washing is complete.
The Handheld Pesticide Residue Detector includes patented technology innovations that make the portable, affordable, real-time pesticide residue detector possible. It employs a “Fabry-Perot Detection Spectrum System” and a “Dynamic Degradative Algorithm.”
Currently ITRI’s Handheld Pesticide Residue Detector can detect eight washable pesticides from the top 10 pesticide ranking lists in the U.S. and China. If used in tandem with specialized fruit and vegetable cleansers, it can also detect fat-soluble pesticides up to a 0.5 parts-per-million (ppm) detection limit.
In sum, the development of this device offers a solution to improving food safety. With this device, users can clearly know in real time whether their washing is enough to clean the fruits and vegetables and no longer need to worry about consuming food that contains excessive pesticide residues.