Potential of Machine Vision Techniques for Detecting Fecal and Microbial Contamination of Food Products: A Review

Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated agricultural and food products has caused adverse human health effects for many centuries. Although mycotoxin contamination of agricultural products still occurs, application of innovative agricultural practices, food processing, and handling techniques has greatly reduced consumer exposure to mycotoxins. This paper reviews recent developments and potential applications of machine vision systems in replacing current labor-intensive, time-consuming methods by providing a quick, accurate, and low-cost alternative for detecting microbial and fecal contaminants in fresh and processed foods. The basic principles and components of the machine vision system are also discussed.