Edible Unclonable Functions Pioneering the Future of Food Safety

Muhammad Mustafa Hussain and his team have recently been awarded a groundbreaking patent for their development of Edible Unclonable Functions (EUFs), a technology that promises to revolutionize food safety. These edible markers are designed to be incorporated into food products, providing a unique identifier that is safe to consume and impossible to replicate. In an era where food fraud and counterfeit products are increasingly common, EUFs offer a revolutionary solution. By ensuring that food products can be authenticated at the point of consumption, this innovation strengthens food security and builds trust in what we eat.

The idea for EUFs started with a desire to address a significant challenge in the food industry: how to verify the authenticity of food in a way that is both practical and consumer friendly. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain and his team worked tirelessly to develop a method that would not only meet these needs but also be scalable and easily integrated into existing food production systems.

This patent is a testament to the spirit of innovation that defines the Weldon School. It represents not just an achievement for Hussain and his team, but a step forward for biomedical engineering. Their work has the potential to change how we approach food safety and authentication. An impact that could be felt globally across industries and regulatory frameworks.

The EUF technology is a perfect example of how the work happening at Purdue goes beyond the lab creating solutions with real-world applications that improve lives. We congratulate Muhammad Mustafa Hussain and his team for their dedication, ingenuity and the lasting impact they’re poised to make. As we look to the future we’re excited to see how this invention will continue to evolve and shape the way we think about food security.

The Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university’s academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. In fiscal year 2024, the office reported 145 deals finalized with 224 technologies signed, 466 invention disclosures received and 290 U.S. and international patents received. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.