Like Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano is no ordinary parmesan; it is a very specific label bestowed only to cheeses that meet the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium’s strict standards. The consortium hopes to solve the problem of fraudulent parmesan through technology — specifically, microchips in food-safe casein labels. The microchips create a digital twin of the individual wheels of cheese on the blockchain, proving their authenticity. They will be testing this new tech with 100,000 Parmigiano Reggiano wheels in the second quarter of 2022. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
