Implements RFID Technology in Smart Canteens, Cutting Food Waste

RFID is changing the way the restaurant industry works

Have you ever waited in a long line for a meal? Or found that the food was sold out when you bought it? Now, a technology called RFID is helping to solve these problems, especially in places like Saudi Arabia, where some companies have used it to make canteens smarter and more efficient.

What is RFID? How does it work?

RFID stands for “radio frequency identification”. In simple terms, it is to attach a small tag to an item, and a chip is hidden in the tag, which can be recognized “at a distance” by special equipment.
These RFID tags are like a small piece of paper, only 5cm × 5cm in size, and can be attached to lunch boxes, beverage bottles, plates and even food packaging. The materials are paper, plastic, and can also be attached to metal. They are not easy to fall off, heat-resistant and waterproof, and very convenient to use.

The chip in this tag, such as Impinj Monza R6, Ucode 9 or M730, tells the system “who I am” and “what I am”. As long as you pass the tagged meal through the reader, it can immediately know what you have taken, how much it costs, and whether you need to pay.

Lechef: Using RFID to create a “smart” canteen

In Saudi Arabia, there is a company called Lechef that uses this RFID technology in the company canteen. When employees take food in the canteen and walk through a channel, the system automatically identifies what they have taken and then deducts the money directly. There is no need to queue up to check out. The whole process is done in a few seconds, which is very convenient.

RFID can also help manage kitchens and ingredients

In addition to helping customers order and check out, RFID can also help the kitchen track the use of each ingredient, such as:

Which dishes sell fast and which sell slowly

Which ingredients are about to expire

How much rice, chicken, vegetables, etc. were used today

In this way, the kitchen can adjust the procurement plan based on the data to avoid buying too much and not running out of stock. It can also help control costs and avoid wasting food.

Summary

RFID is like the “eyes” and “brain” of the cafeteria. It can see clearly where each piece of food goes, and can also help calculate and arrange it, making the entire restaurant smarter. It is small in size, fast in response, reads far, is not easy to fall off, and can support printing QR codes or text information. It is a good helper for cafeterias and kitchens.

As this technology becomes more and more popular, the catering industry will become more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and more considerate.