In 2006, millions of people stopped buying fresh spinach and prepackaged iceberg lettuce when E.coli-tainted produce caused 276 illnesses and three deaths in North America. The likelihood of that happening again may soon be significantly reduced, thanks to Wayd McNally and the company he founded, Sensor Wireless Inc. of Charlottetown, PEI.

McNally’s company merges sensor and wireless technologies with GPS tracking systems to create unique quality control mechanisms. Think of the ‘Crackless Egg’, a technology-loaded simulated egg that experiences and transmits data which can be used to identify problem areas throughout the production line and delivery systems. A similar technology is about to be used to monitor food safety hazards associated with fresh and freshcut leafy greens.

For the next four years, Sensor Wireless will be working with the University of Georgia, Michigan State University, Clemson University, Auburn University and the Illinois Institute of Technology/ FDA National Center for Food Safety and Technology to identify pre- ad post-harvest E. coli intervention strategies. The project is valued at $600,000, of which Sensor Wireless will receive an undisclosed amount for its hardware, software and service.