Simon Bernard, winner of the Ministry of the Environment's "Green Tech Schools" project, has developed Scan Eat—a compact USB device that precisely measures pesticide levels in food. Operating with infrared light at wavelengths of 800 to 2,500 nanometers, it captures the food's unique molecular signature. Data transmits instantly to your smartphone via a dedicated app for real-time results. This innovation is especially timely in France, the world's third-largest pesticide consumer, where conventional apples receive an average of 35 treatments. Previously, consumers had no reliable way to assess chemical residues, driving many toward organic options.
Scan Eat receives €150,000 in government funding, plus a nine-month contract for Simon, a final-year student at France's National Maritime School in Le Havre, within a ministry incubator. While promising, the technology requires further research and testing to reach full viability—ensuring we truly know what's on our plates. Stay tuned for updates on this game-changer.
