May 10, 2017

Yarok Technology Transfer, an innovation-based developer of fast, accurate tests for the food industry, today announced it has received the United Nations International Award 2017 for “Innovative Ideas and Technology on Agribusiness.”

The Jerusalem company was honored for its fast testing system that is able to detect the presence of dangerous bacteria in food in just 45 minutes.

Yarok was one of five winners selected from over 330 entries from 80 countries submitted to the competition. The contest aimed to identify the world’s most innovative technologies and ideas in agribusiness to improve the socio-economic, food safety and security conditions in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).

“We’re honored to receive this award for our project which aims to empower farmers from LDcs by means of our fast testing technology. One major barrier LDC producers face are Developed Countries’ high Food Safety standards. Adapting the Yarok system to LDC needs will, we hope, open export opportunities,” said Yarok CEO Jonathan Sierra.

UNIDO ITPO Italy (the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development), CNR – the Italian National Research Council, and Seeds & Chips under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation judged the contest.

The winners were announced this morning at the opening of a conference called, “Inspire Power – Food Security for Developing Countries” – which is part of the Seeds & Chips Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan.