The firm received the recognition from UNIDO ITPO Italy (the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the UN Organization for Industrial Development), CNR - the Italian National Research Council and Seeds & Chips under the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation.
To win the award Yarok identified a problem affecting Less Developed Countries (LDCs) with export possibilities to First World markets are missed due to regulations and limited access to technology.
It was one of five winners selected out of 330 entries from 80 countries.
Other winners were Coffee Flour, made from the previously discarded pulp and skin of the coffee cherry; Evaptainers, mobile “zero-energy” refrigeration systems; BiocopacPlus, a bio-based coating from tomato processing by-products for metal packaging and DEMETRA, a post-harvest treatment for fruit preservation to prevent waste and extend shelf life.
Yarok’s technology provides results in 45 minutes by indicating product conformity or the presence of dangerous bacteria and final assessment within hours (according to the pathogen detected).
The system is already in use in Israel and Italy.
Jonathan Sierra, Yarok CEO, said the project aims to help farmers from LDCs by use of its 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.”
Seeds & Chips Global Food Innovation Summit was held last week in Milan and the keynote speech was delivered by former US president Barack Obama.