The University of Cape Coast has launched an innovative project aimed at combating spice adulteration and strengthening food safety systems in Ghana and across West Africa.
The project, led by Professor Ernest Teye, is funded by the European Union under the Food Safety Africa (FS4Africa) programme. It introduces an innovative solution that combines sensor technique and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable rapid, non-destructive, and real-time detection of authenticity in commonly consumed spices such as turmeric, ginger, and pepper.
SpiceCheck-OnSpot would be implemented in partnership with key national stakeholders, including the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and private sector partner Fountain Foods Limited and Market women. The collaboration ensures that the technology is aligned with regulatory standards, industry practices, and the realities of local markets.
The project enables food inspectors, traders, and processors to conduct on-the-spot quality assessments using a smartphone-connected device, delivering easy-to-understand traffic-light results that indicate whether a product is authentic, suspicious, or adulterated.
Speaking at the inauguration, Professor Teye described the project as a major breakthrough for Africa’s food safety systems.
He explained that the project was a combination of advanced sensor technology with artificial intelligence to bring laboratory-level food analysis directly to marketplaces and production centres.
“The concept of a ‘Food Oracle’ is about empowering society with intelligent tools that provide real-time answers about the quality and safety of our food. SpiceCheck-OnSpot is a practical step toward this vision; bringing advanced scientific solutions directly into our markets to protect consumers and support honest businesses,” he explained.
The project will focus on building a comprehensive database, conducting field validation across major markets, and training stakeholders, particularly within informal trading systems where food quality monitoring is often limited.
SpiceCheck-OnSpot is expected to significantly contribute to consumer protection, fair trade, and improved regulatory enforcement, while strengthening confidence in Ghana’s food systems both locally and internationally.
