The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Can Improve Food Safety and Reduce Waste in Restaurants


Did you know that about 1 in 6 Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses yearly? This costs the country billions of dollars in medical expenses and lost productivity. The good news is that Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology can help reduce these numbers by improving food safety. Food handlers can use IIoT sensors to monitor commercial refrigeration and freezer operations so that power failures and even open freezer doors don’t result in spoiled food. This technology represents a meaningful improvement in human health and safety.

What’s even better is that IIoT can also help reduce food waste. When restaurants have real-time visibility into their refrigeration and freezer operations, they can avoid wasting food. This not only saves money, but it also helps to protect the environment.

For restauranteurs, implementing IIoT technology in their business could mean the difference between serving safe, delicious food and making their customers sick. And it could also save them a lot of money in wasted food costs.

iMatrix Systems, an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology company, recently announced new products that are designed to help restaurants maintain food safety and reduce the possibility of food waste. The iMatrix NEO Model environmental sensors and applications monitor temperature levels in restaurants’ commercial refrigeration and freezer systems. They will alert owners and managers of system failures that result in rising temperatures that cause food to spoil.

“The NEO model sensors by iMatrix are specifically designed to detect temperature and humidity, and submit the data to the iMatrix cloud system in real time,” said Greg Phillips, CEO iMatrix Systems. “These innovations not only improve the safety of consumers, but also allow restaurant and deli businesses to run more efficiently and increase profits.”

Waste and inefficiency have been identified as significant problems for food service providers, so iMatrix developed a solution to fit these businesses, from small cafés to large food service providers like cafeterias or banquet halls. The new NEO model sensors work through a mesh network, allowing quick, seamless integration into existing systems. The sensors act as standalone devices, but they also work as part of a more extensive system that operates to improve standard operating procedures within the industry.

The number of recommended sensors depends on the operation’s size and the cold storage units that need to be monitored. iMatrix recommends one sensor per cold storage unit to allow business owners to monitor and maintain their units and temperature-sensitive food products. With end-to-end transparency, restaurant owners gain assurances food is kept at proper temperatures before cooking, resulting in greater food safety, reduced food waste, and better record-keeping for compliance audits.


About iMatrix Systems

iMatrix Systems is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions provider founded in 2018 and emerged from stealth in 2021. The company offers ideal solutions for the Cold Chain markets. The company’s cloud platform and dedicated sensors apply to markets in healthcare, residential and commercial buildings, restaurants and hospitality, critical infrastructure, hydroponics, soil monitoring, and management.

The company, based in Lake Tahoe, NV, has offices around the country. For more information, go to https://imatrixsys.com/.


Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.