Microfluidics in smart food safety.

The evolution of food safety practices is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by a growing global population and increasingly complex food supply chains. Traditional methods are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and susceptible to human error. This chapter explores the transformative potential of integrating microfluidics into smart food safety protocols. Microfluidics, involving the manipulation of small fluid volumes within microscale channels, offers a sophisticated platform for developing miniaturized devices capable of complex tasks. Combined with sensors, actuators, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, smart microfluidic systems enable real-time data acquisition, analysis, and decision-making. These systems enhance control, automation, and adaptability, making them ideal for detecting contaminants, pathogens, and chemical residues in food products. The chapter covers the fundamentals of microfluidics, its integration with smart technologies, and its applications in food safety, addressing the challenges and future directions in this field.