Food testing innovation wins Australian Good Design Award

Designers, visionaries and entrepreneurs gathered at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park, on 8 September to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Australian Good Design Awards and the winners of the 2023 awards.

Multiple designs were on display throughout the evening, which was led by Tim Ross.

The Australian Good Design Awards showcase design and innovation to a global audience. Each year, they attract cutting-edge projects from across the globe in areas such as architecture, engineering, research, fashion and social impact. Entries cover a range of sectors and industries, showcasing everything from everyday product design to buildings, systems and processes.

Among this year’s winners was PPB Technology’s CYBERTONGUE food testing system, which won the Good Design Award for Medical and Scientific Equipment.

An invention nurtured by CSIRO and developed by PPB, Tricycle Developments and Xentronics, CYBERTONGUE can measure a range of low-level components directly in complex liquid samples.

The first commercial application is measuring AprX protease in raw milk, with follow-up tests set to include Bacillus proteases, plasmin and trace lactose. Future tests are also being developed for food allergens and other critical analytes.

CYBERTONGUE technology is powered by ultrasensitive and specific protein-based biosensors. All tests are read on the same device, which makes running and interpreting tests simple.

Food processors may use CYBERTONGUE to analyse samples onsite in minutes, instead of sending them to an external laboratory. It allows processors to improve food quality and safety, reduce waste and increase supermarket shelf life.