DryCard

Updated Nov 19, 2019

DryCard

Part of University of California, Davis

https://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/drycard

Feed the future innovation lab for horticulture

A simple and low-cost tool for checking food dryness to prevent mold growth and the production of mycotoxins (such as aflatoxin) after harvest.

The DryCard combines a strip of humidity indicator paper with a color scale to indicate the level of humidity, and instructions printed on the card for how to use. To use the DryCard, simply store the card in a sealed plastic bag or glass jar with your product, wait 30 to 60 minutes, and then look at the color of the humidity indicator strip. If the card is blue, this means your product is prop...

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Stage 5: Scaling

The Horticulture Innovation Lab at the University of California, Davis is partnering with in-country businesses and entrepreneurs to establish DryCard manufacturing, marketing, and sales. DryCard is currently available for purchase in 10 countries.

Focus Areas:

Food Safety and Standards, Post Harvest and Public-Private Partnerships

Implemented In:

Tanzania, Rwanda, Guinea and 7 MoreSEE ALL

Countries Implemented In

$50,000

Funds Raised to Date

Verified Funding

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Problem

Drying is a technique used to preserve harvested products, but knowing when products are dry enough can be difficult. When products are not dried below 65% equilibrium relative humidity, they can grow mold and produce harmful mycotoxins such as aflatoxin. Common methods to test for dryness such as biting, touching, or sniffing the product are unreliable and inaccurate. Electronic devices that measure moisture or humidity are often too expensive and difficult to use.

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Solution

The DryCard is a low-cost and simple tool that measures food dryness by changing colors to reflect the equilibrium relative humidity of a product. This technology allows users to ensure that their product is dry enough to prevent mold growth and mycotoxin production.

Target Beneficiaries

Smallholder farmers, traders, and aggregators

Mission and Vision

To reduce postharvest losses and increase the food safety of dried products.

Competitive Advantage

DryCard is low-cost and can be made from locally available equipment and materials. DryCards are reusable for up to 3 years and can test any kind of dried product. DryCard has instructions printed directly on the card for how to use which can be translated into different languages or pictures. It does not require electricity, batteries, or regular calibration.

The Team Behind the Innovation

The Horticulture Innovation Lab's global research network advances fruit and vegetable innovations, empowering smallholder farmers to earn more income while better nourishing their communities. The program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and led by a team at the University of California, Davis, as part of the U.S. government's Feed the Future initiative.