The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) supervises a wide range of domains, from food safety and consumer products to animal welfare and nature conservation. Within the organisation, innovation is playing an increasingly important role. At the NVWA Innovation Lab, new technologies are being developed and tested to support inspectors in conducting inspections faster, smarter, and more objectively.
Rob Broekman works for the Innovation Lab within the cluster of Remote Sensing, Imaging Technologies, Robotics and Drones. His focus is on developing digital tools that support inspectors in their daily work.
Ahead of the Conference on Living Labs on the 22-23 of September in Helmond and Veghel, we spoke with him about the role of the Innovation Lab as a Living Lab and the opportunities these innovations create for the food industry.
From Human Senses to Digital Observation
“At the moment, around eighty percent of inspections are still based on sensory observation,” says Broekman. “Inspectors look, smell, feel, or hear something. That makes inspections subjective to a certain extent. Digital measurements help make findings more objective and provide stronger evidence.”
Within the Innovation Lab, technologies are developed to support inspectors in observing, recording, and analysing data. This happens both in response to specific organisational needs and through the lab’s own innovation initiatives.
“We demonstrate what is technologically possible. Ultimately, it is the organisation and policymakers who determine where the priorities lie.”
Many innovations are developed in collaboration with external partners, including police forces, fire departments, hospitals, and laboratories. According to Broekman, these collaborations often involve cross-sector applications where the same technology can be used across multiple domains.
Smart Technology in Practice
One concrete example is the use of Lab-on-a-Chip technology. This enables rapid detection of substances in samples such as blood.
“In pig slaughtering, for example, this technology could eventually help determine how much medication remains in an animal and may subsequently end up in the meat.”
The Innovation Lab has also introduced technological innovations in the field, such as in the fight against the Asian hornet. Nests can now be located more efficiently using drones, thermal cameras, and sensors.
Broekman explains:
“Based on location data, we can predict where nests are likely to be found. Drones and sensors can then be deployed to locate them more precisely. In many provinces, beekeepers can now borrow sensor kits to detect hornet nests. In the area of animal welfare, we are increasingly using sensor data collected through ear-tag chips. This data provides insights into animal behaviour patterns and allows us to identify abnormalities at an early stage.”
Developing Technology Is Easier Than Implementing It
According to Broekman, the biggest challenge is not developing technology but implementing it.
“We can develop almost anything. Implementation is the difficult part. New technology must not only work technically; it must also fit within regulations, work processes, budgets, and be accepted by inspectors.”
At the same time, innovations are already delivering clear benefits. Digital applications are increasingly being used to support inspectors in the field, helping them document findings, access guidelines in real time, and perform risk assessments more consistently.
Opportunities for the Food Industry
Many of the technologies developed by the Innovation Lab could also provide significant value within food production processes. While these tools are currently used primarily for compliance and inspection purposes, they have at least as much potential at the beginning of the supply chain.
Broekman explains:
“By measuring earlier and more intelligently, companies can identify deviations more quickly, improve product consistency, and reduce human error. Over time, this can lead to more efficient processes and potentially fewer physical inspection moments.”
Examples include developments involving forensic light. This type of light operates outside the visible spectrum and can reveal substances that are otherwise invisible, helping determine whether products meet hygiene and quality requirements at an earlier stage.
Another promising technology is the electronic nose, or e-nose. This digital ‘nose’ can detect unusual odours and may help identify contamination at an early stage.
The inspector will be accompanied by an AI agent
Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in supervision and inspection. One example is the AI Agent currently being developed by the Innovation Lab.
This tool supports inspectors by instantly retrieving relevant information based on factors such as a company’s postcode and business name.
While human judgement remains essential during inspections, many administrative tasks can be automated.
“In the future, inspection reports will be generated by the AI Agent. This gives inspectors more time to focus on conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners,” says Broekman.
Not all innovations are highly complex. In practice, simple solutions can sometimes make a significant difference.
Broekman points to an example:
“One inspector developed a practical solution for measuring light intensity in animal housing facilities using a measuring pole, eliminating the need to physically enter every enclosure. Improvements like these make inspections both safer and more efficient.”
From inspection to data exchange
As data-driven supervision becomes more common, the role of inspectors is changing. Physical inspections are becoming more targeted and are increasingly complemented by data exchange between regulators and businesses.
“We no longer focus solely on the letter of the law; we also discuss the intention behind it,” says Broekman.
The focus is gradually shifting from enforcement after the fact to improvement beforehand. By exchanging data and insights, risks can be identified and addressed earlier. This leads to more effective supervision, greater mutual understanding, and ultimately better compliance.
Broekman concludes:
“In this way, we contribute together to safe food, healthy animals, and a clean living environment. The Innovation Lab would like to explore with the food industry how we can reduce administrative burdens for both parties and identify innovations that can be used jointly.”
If you are interested to learn more about the NVWA Innovation Lab or other Living Labs in The Netherlands and Europe, make sure to join us in the Conference: Food Tech Innovations: Connecting Europe's Living Labs
