Intelligent Mobile Diagnostic Platforms for Food Safety Control: Functions, Classifications and Applications

Abstract The rapid detection of food contaminants is crucial for food safety and human health. Portable sensing platforms are widely used, especially in resource-limited areas. Intelligent mobile diagnostic platforms (IMDPs) integrate multifunctionality, computing power, and data transfer, offering portability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges in detection reliability remain. This review introduces IMDP characteristics, components, and design, covering signal detection, data analysis, visualization, and power management. It explores diverse types of IMDPs, including paper-based, chip-based, hydrogel-based, and wearable devices, and their applications in detecting food freshness, contaminants, and pathogens. The review highlights that integrating stretchable materials, lab-on-a-chip technology, and smart devices enhances detection accuracy, while advanced algorithms like machine learning improve reliability. Consequently, IMDPs provide cost-effective, portable, and rapid food safety monitoring.