GB2573777A

GB2573777A - Food processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2573777A
Application number: GB1807956.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sealy James
Original assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Current assignee: Kenwood Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-16
Publication date: 2019-11-20
Also published as: GB201807956D0

Abstract

A food processing apparatus 100 comprises means 102 for encoding information onto a food item, such as a light source or laser for irradiating the food item. The encoding means may be a means for forming graphene on or within the food item. The information may be encoded by mapping to a property of the formed graphene such as an electrical property. The graphene may be formed as an electrical circuit, a sensor, an RFID antenna or a graphical symbol such as an alphanumeric symbol, a barcode and/or a QR code. The light source may be a narrow-band wavelength light source. The food processing apparatus may also include a reader 104 for reading the information on the food item including means for determining a property of the graphene. There is also a method of encoding information onto a food item.

Description

Introduction

The present invention relates to an apparatus for encoding information onto an object, and more particularly to a food processing apparatus for encoding information onto a food item.

Background

A food processing apparatus is typically used to create food and drink items from ingredients by carrying out food-processing steps on the ingredients. These steps include baking, cooking, mixing, stirring, whipping, freezing, blending, grinding, mincing, chopping, slicing, grating, and other food processing steps.

As used herein, the term ‘food processing apparatus’ preferably connotes an apparatus suitable for domestic food processing having one, some, or all, of the following features in any appropriate combination: a chamber in which food is to be processed; a feed mechanism for introducing food to, or removing food from, the chamber; a drive unit for driving a processing tool; a processing tool, such as a blade, a grinder, a stirrer, a mixer, and/or a heating mechanism; a plurality of preferably interchangeable processing tools; and a control unit for controlling the food processing. The food processing apparatus is preferably a kitchen appliance or an appliance for domestic food processing and/or preparation.

Typically consumers wish to know certain information about food items prior to consuming them. One example of such information includes the ingredients contained within the food item, particularly whether allergens may be present that may harm the consumer. Another example is the “best-by” date, so that the consumer may be aware of whether the product can still be safely consumed or has begun to rot, or otherwise decay, and for how much longer it may still be safely consumed.

However, at present this information may only be seen on the packaging of prepackaged products. Even when this information is provided to the user with the packaging, if the packaging becomes separated from the food product then the consumer no longer knows whether the food product is safe to eat. Moreover when the food item is produced at home the consumer no longer can easily access this information about the food item in question.

It is therefore desirable to provide a food processing appliances and machinery capable of at least partially ameliorating the above-described problems.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a food processing apparatus comprising means for encoding information onto a food item, such as a light source for irradiating the food item.

Preferably, the information is displayed on the food item.

Preferably, the means for encoding is adapted to convert the form of the information.

Preferably, the encoding means is a means for forming graphene on or within the food item.

As used herein, the term ‘encode information’, and related terms, preferably connotes both encoding by converting the form of the information, for example encoding a word by mapping that word to a property of graphene formed on or within the food item, and also encoding by directly displaying the information, for example encoding a word by writing that word onto a food item using alphanumeric symbols.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a food processing apparatus comprising means for forming graphene on or within a food item, such as a light source for irradiating the food item.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises means for encoding information onto the food item.

Preferably, the information is encoded by mapping to a property of the formed graphene, preferably an electrical property.

Preferably, the means for forming graphene is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of at least one of: an electrical circuit; a sensor; and an RFID antenna, preferably wherein the RFID antenna forms part of an RFID tag.

Preferably, the means for forming graphene is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of a graphical symbol, preferably a barcode; a QR code; and/or an alphanumeric symbol.

Preferably, the light source is a narrow-band wavelength light source.

As used herein, the term ‘narrow-band wavelength light source’ preferably connotes a light source wherein the light output from the light source has a range in its wavelength which is preferably less than 25%, more preferably less than 15%, and more preferably still less than 5%, and yet more preferably still less than 2%, of the wavelength at the centre of that range.

Preferably, the light source has a narrow-band wavelength between 0.5 and 20 μηι, preferably between 5 and 15 μηι, and more preferably between 9 and 11 μητ

Preferably, the light source is a laser, optionally a pulsed laser, preferably wherein the laser has an effective power of between 0.5 and 5 W.

Preferably, the light source is arranged to irradiate a target object or portion of the food item, thereby to encode information onto the target object or portion.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises means for determining a characteristic of the food item, preferably wherein the information encoded onto the food item comprises the determined characteristic of the food item.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises a user interface, preferably wherein the user interface is arranged to receive a user input of information, and wherein the information encoded onto the food item comprises information input via the user interface.

Preferably, the information encoded onto the food item is a reference for the retrieval of further information, optionally wherein the reference is a URL.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises at least one food or drink processing tool.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises a reader for reading information encoded onto a food item.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of encoding information onto a food item using a food processing apparatus, the method comprising irradiating the food item whereby to form graphene on or within the food item.

Preferably, the irradiating uses a narrow-band wavelength light source.

Preferably, the encoding comprises mapping a property of the formed graphene to the information.

Preferably, the food item comprises a target object or portion, optionally positioned beneath the surface of the food item, and wherein the target object or portion is irradiated thereby to encode information onto the target object or portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a reader for decoding information from a food item, the food item having graphene formed on or within it, comprising means for determining a property of the graphene formed on or within the food item, and means for mapping the determined property to the said information.

As used herein, the term ‘decode information’, and related terms, preferably connotes both decoding by converting the form of information, for example decoding a word by mapping a property of graphene formed on or within a food item to the word, and decoding by directly reading displayed information, for example reading a word displayed on a food item in alphanumeric symbols.

Preferably, the means for determining a property of the graphene formed on or within the food item comprises: means for inducing current in the graphene; and a receiver for receiving a signal resulting from the current; wherein the reader is arranged to determine a property of the graphene from the signal.

Preferably, the reader is arranged to decode information from the food item by means of a direct electrical contact with the graphene.

Preferably, the reader is an RFID tag reader.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus comprises the reader.

Preferably, the operation of the food processing apparatus is dependent upon the information decoded from the food item.

According to another aspect, there is provided a food processing apparatus comprising one or more food/drink processing tools, and a laser for writing information onto a food item.

Preferably, the laser is configured to create circuitry comprising graphene in the food item, preferably via multiple lasings.

Preferably, the circuitry comprises an RFID tag.

Preferably, the circuitry comprises a sensor, preferably a temperature or chemical sensor.

Preferably, the sensor is a chemical sensor configured to detect decay of the food item.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus further comprises an apparatus sensor configured for sensing a characteristic of the food item.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to control the laser to write information onto the food item in dependence on the characteristic sensed by the apparatus sensor.

Preferably, the laser is configured to write information onto an edible food item.

Preferably, the laser is configured to write information within the food item.

Preferably, the food processing apparatus further comprises an RFID tag reader.

Preferably, the laser is configured to write a light-readable sign, such as a QR or barcode, onto the food item.

Preferably, the laser is configured to write circuitry comprising graphene in the lightreadable sign.

Preferably, the laser is pivotally mounted on the food processing apparatus.

Preferably, the laser is mounted on a frame so as to be movable in at least two orthogonal axes relative to the food processor.

Preferably, the laser is mounted on a frame so as to be movable in at least three orthogonal axes.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for producing a food item comprising steps of, in a food processing apparatus, processing ingredients to form a food item using one or more food/drink processing tools, storing information to be written onto the food item, and writing the information onto the food item using a laser.

Preferably, the stored information is one of a weight, ingredients, recipe, calorific content, chemical make-up, allergen content, time of production, place of production, or a best-by date of the food item, or a URL.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of sensing a characteristic of the food item and storing information related to the sensed characteristic for writing onto the food item.

Preferably, the step of writing the information onto the food item comprises inducing graphene circuitry in the food item, preferably via multiple lasings.

Preferably, the step of writing information onto the food item comprises writing a lightreadable code, such as a bar-code or QR-code.

The invention described here may be implemented in heated and/or cooled machines. It may be used in a machine that is built-in to a work-top or work surface, or in a standalone device. The invention can also be provided as a stand-alone device, whether motor-driven or manually powered.

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. Method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 show embodiments of an apparatus of the disclosure.

Specific Description

Figure 1 shows food processing apparatus 100 comprising a laser 102 which provides a narrow-band wavelength light source. The laser 102 is arranged to irradiate an object thereby to form laser induced graphene (LIG) on or within the object, the object being a food item 106. The food processing apparatus 100 is arranged to encode information onto the food item 106, preferably by forming LIG on or within the food item 106 having a property which is mapped to the information. Preferably, the mapping incorporates memory, for example in the form of a look-up table, and a comparator.

The food processing apparatus 100 also has a reader 104 which is arranged to determine a property of the LIG formed on or within an object, which is a food item 106. The reader 104 comprises a means for inducing charge flow in the LIG, and a receiver for receiving a signal resulting from the charge flow in the LIG. The means for inducing charge flow and the receiver can be separate components, or they can be the same component. The reader 104 determines a property of the LIG from the received signal. The property of the LIG formed on or within the food item 106 is mapped to the information, and the reader 104 thereby decodes the information from the food item 106, for example by mapping the determined property of the LIG to corresponding information.

In one use scenario the food items 106 do not have any existing graphene formed on or within them and the food processing apparatus 100 is used to form LIG on or within the food item 106 to encode information onto the food item 106 in order for that information to be used in the subsequent processing, or other use, of the food item 106. Some exemplary use scenarios are:

• A user has bought food items 106 without packaging, such as loose potatoes, or has discarded the original packaging, and thus uses the food processing apparatus 100 to encode information onto the food items 106 relating to the date of purchase of the food items 106. In this way the user is able to determine the age of the food items 106 in the future so that the user is able to decide, for example, whether the food item 106 is too old to be eaten.

• Information relating to the progress of a food item 106 through various food manufacturing stages is encoded onto the food item 106, for example by encoding information onto the food item 106 upon completion of each stage of the manufacturing process. In this way, a manufacturer is able to identify, for each food item 106, whether or not it has been subjected to a certain stage of a manufacturing process.

• The food processing apparatus 100 is used to produce a food item 106 by processing together multiple ingredients, for example by blending. The food processing apparatus 100 is used to encode information onto the processed food item 106 by forming LIG on or within the processed food item 106. For example, the food processing apparatus 100 encodes information relating to the constituent ingredients of the processed food item 106, such as allergens or calorific content. In this way a future consumer of the processed food item 106 is able to determine whether it contains, for example, a certain allergen.

The food processing apparatus 100 may be used e.g. for industrial food manufacturing, home use, restaurant use, commercial catering, etc. As described previously, while the information is preferably encoded onto the food item by means of mapping the information to a property of the LIG formed on or within the food item, the information can also be encoded onto the food item by the information being displayed on the food item; for example a best-by date can be encoded onto the food item by forming graphene such that the date is displayed in alphanumeric symbols on the food item.

In another use scenario, the food item 106 has existing graphene formed on or within it and the food processing apparatus 100, is used to read and decode information from the food item 106. In an exemplary use scenario the information decoded from the food item 106 is used by the food processing apparatus 100 for onward processing of the food item 106. In this example, the operation of the food processing apparatus 100 is dependent upon the information decoded from the food item. For example, the food processing apparatus 100 reads the information to determine the type of food (e.g. ‘Charlotte’ variety potato) and then selects appropriate cooking settings and/or provides recommended recipes based on this food type. In another example the information decoded from the food item 106 relates to the water content off the food item 106, and the food processing apparatus 100 is arranged to cook the food item 106 for a length of time which is dependent on the water content of the food item 106.

The food processing apparatus 100 encodes information onto the food item 106 with the laser 102, and decodes information from the food item 106 with the reader 104 as is now described in more detail.

It is known to the person skilled in the art that highly conductive graphene can be formed on certain substrates by irradiating the substrate with a laser, for example using multiple pass and/or defocus multiple lasing techniques. The wavelength of the laser irradiation is known to be important for obtaining graphene, and the laser is preferably a CO₂ laser producing light with a wavelength band centred at 10.6 pm as these wavelengths are absorbed by the C-C bonds in the substrate. Forming graphene in this way is advantageous as it does not require an inert atmosphere and the production of graphene can be achieved with a laser power of just 3.75 W. For example a pulsed laser may be used, and a laser can produce graphene. Examples of lasers that are known to form LIG include a 10.6 pm CO2 pulsed laser (75 W, duty cycle of 1-5%); a 9.3 pm CO2 pulsed laser (50 W); and a 1.06 pm fibre laser. In an example a scan rate of 15 cm/s can be used for LIG formation.

In Figure 1, the laser 102 is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of an electrical circuit and/or in the configuration of electronic componentry on or within a food item 106. Examples of electronic components which can be formed on or within a food item 106 from LIG include wires, capacitors, resistors, and inductors. The reader 104 is arranged to determine a property of the LIG, which in this embodiment is a property of the electronic componentry or circuitry on or within a food item 106, such as a resistance. In order to determine the property of the LIG, the reader 104 induces charge flow in the LIG circuitry and/or componentry, for example by means of electromagnetic induction or by means of direct electrical contact. The reader 104 comprises a receiver which is arranged to receive the signal resulting from the charge flow in the circuitry and/or componentry and the reader determines the property of LIG from the signal. In the example where the property of the LIG is determined via a direct electrical contact, the reader 104 has electrical terminals arranged to make contact with the LIG formed on or within the food item 106 so as to generate a voltage across the LIG between the contacts. In this way the reader 104 induces charge flow in the graphene and the receiver of the reader 104 receives a signal resulting from the charge flow. In this example, the signal can be the electrical current flowing in the graphene, which is also optionally used to determine a resistance of the LIG. The reader 104 decodes the information from the food item 106 for example by mapping the determined property of the LIG to corresponding information in a look-up table.

A further example of an electrical component which can be formed on or within a food item 106 from LIG is a sensor. The sensor may be a temperature sensor where the temperature is measured by measuring an electrical resistance of an LIG resistor, a chemical sensor for detecting, for example, gases produced by decay of the food item. As the chemical make-up of food items varies, the sensors are configured specifically for different food items depending on the food item 106. The gases produced during the decay of, for example, fruit, are different to those produced during the decay of meat, and therefore the chemical sensor formed from LIG on or within the food item 106 is configured to detect differing gases depending on the food item 106.

In another embodiment, the laser 102 is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of an antenna, such as an RFID antenna, on or within the food item 106. The reader 104 is arranged to determine a property of the LIG, which in this embodiment is a resonant frequency of the antenna. The reader 104 is therefore arranged to emit electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, which are received by the antenna inducing charge flow in the antenna. The charge flow in the antenna generates a return signal which is received by the reader 104. The amplitude of the return signal will be at a maximum when the frequency of the incident electromagnetic wave is equal to the resonant frequency of the antenna; therefore the reader 104 is able to determine the resonant frequency of the antenna by varying the frequency of the incident wave until a maximum in the return signal is achieved. The LIG could also include a capacitor for storing energy from the incident radio wave and use the stored energy to power the emission of a returning radio wave. The antenna formed on or within the food item 106 can form part of an electronic component, such as an RFID tag. In order to encode information onto the object in this embodiment, the laser 102 is arranged to form LIG in the configuration of an antenna wherein the physical dimension of the antenna, and therefore the resonant frequency of the antenna, is mapped to the information. The information is decoded from the object by measuring the resonant frequency and mapping the resonant frequency of the LIG to corresponding information in a look-up table.

While Figure 1 shows the encoder, which is the laser 102, and the decoder, which is the reader 104, to be part of a single apparatus, it should be understood that the encoder and the decoder can be separated in different apparatuses such that one apparatus is io arranged to encode information onto an object and another separate apparatus is arranged to decode information from the object. Figure 2 shows a reader 104 which is separate from the food processing apparatus 100.

As shown in Figure 1, the food processing apparatus 100 further comprises a blending tool 108. In other examples the food processing apparatus 100 additionally or alternatively comprises any other food and/or drink processing tools such as: heating elements for cooking/baking/boiling/roasting; motor-driven mixing, stirring, whipping, blending, slicing, grating and cutting tools including rotary cutting tools; cooling elements for cooling/freezing food and drink; meat-grinding units (e.g. of the auger-type) for meat grinding/mincing; coffee/tea brewing units; and other food/drink processing tools.

The food processing apparatus 100 also comprises one or more sensors (not shown) arranged to measure a characteristic of the food items 106. The sensors are, for example: a weight scale; a chemical sensor; a clock; a location sensor; and a camera. The characteristics of the food items 106 measured by the sensors are for example: the weight; the recipe (including recipe-steps) used to make a food item 106; the chemical content (including calorific content and presence of allergens); the time of production of the food item 106 (as a time/date stamp so as to determine the age and/or a best-by date associated with the food items 106); the location of production of the food item 106; the constituent ingredients of a processed food item 106; and the type of the food item 106. The information encoded onto the food item 106 can relate to the characteristic of the food item 106 measured by the sensors of the food processing apparatus 100.

The food processing apparatus 100 also comprises a user interface (not shown) which has two functions. Firstly, when encoding information onto a food item 106, the user interface is used by the user to input the information to be encoded onto the food item. The information input by the user can be the only information encoded onto the food item 106 or alternatively it can be additional to information relating to the characteristics measured by the sensors. Secondly, when decoding information from the food item 106 the information is output to the user via the interface by means of, for example, a display. Alternatively, the information decoded from the food item 106 may be a URL which the food processing apparatus 100, or a mobile device, accesses automatically via the internet and at which further information may be accessed, and is then presented to the user.

Whilst use of LIG to form an electrical circuit and/or electronic componentry is preferable, the laser 102 may be used to additionally or alternatively form a graphical symbol onto the food item 106, such as a bar-code, QR code or an alphanumeric symbol. In this case, the reader 104 includes a bar-code reader or a camera of a mobile device in (for example, wireless) communication with the food processing apparatus 100; alternatively the graphical symbol may be read directly by a human. Such a light-readable code may be formed of LIG, by burning, or by other products formed under the influence of the laser on the food item. Similarly, while the use of LIG formed on or within the food item is preferably for encoding information, the LIG formed on or within the food item can also be used without encoding information. For example, the graphene may be formed in an arbitrary shape, for example a picture, on or within the food item.

Whilst the LIG may be formed on a surface of the food item 106, it may alternatively be formed below the surface of the food item 106 so as to avoid unsightly marks on the food item 106 and to protect the LIG from damage. Preferably the LIG is formed at a depth where the LIG will still be readable from a reader 104 placed on the surface of the food item 106; therefore the LIG is preferable at a depth of 7 cm or less, and more preferably 1cm or less. This is achieved for example by forming LIG on an exposed surface of the food item 106 and then forming a further layer of food over the LIG.

Alternatively a target may be formed within the food item 106 during the making of the food item that will absorb the laser 102 radiation that is of a wavelength that will pass through the surface of the food item 106, and will form LIG on the target within the food item 106. This target may be of a differing density to the intervening food matter between it and the laser 102, or it may have a differing chemical composition that is more absorbent of the radiation emitted by the laser 102 (for example, the laser 102 may emit radiation absorbed by water, and the target may have a higher concentration of water than the intervening food matter).

The target is preferably also made of food matter. A target may also be used where the food item 106 is unsuitable for lasing (for example, an edible wafer may be provided as a lasing-target with ice cream). A target may be provided in association with a drinks or food container which may be irradiated by the laser 102 where the container is made of material not suitable for LIG lasing. Where the container is suitable for lasing it may be lased instead of (or as well as) the food item, in a similar way to the lasing of the food item described herein. Thus, the term “food item” as used herein describes both food and drink items and any containers or packaging in which they may be provided.

Other ways of forming LIG internally within the food item 106 may be applied additionally or alternatively. For example the laser 102 may be focused onto a point beneath the surface of the food item 106. In another example, two or more different lasers 102 may emit beams of radiation which pass through the surface of the food item 106 and which intersect and constructively interfere with sufficient intensity to produce LIG at a point beneath the surface of the food item 106 where it is desired to create LIG.

To facilitate the production of LIG in the different configurations described above, the laser 102 is preferably attached to the food processing apparatus 100 via a mounting that permits the food item 106 and the laser 102 to be moved relative to one another for formation of a desired pattern of LIG on or within the food item 106. In the example shown in Figure 1 the laser 102 is mounted via a pivotal mounting so as to be movable in at least two directions. In the example shown in Figure 2 the laser 102 is mounted with an x- and y- axis of motion 202 (x-y-stage) for movement of the laser 102 in three dimensions. Preferably the mounting (pivotal or axial) also allows movement of the laser 102 in a third direction (along the line between the laser 102 and the food item 106) to permit focusing and de-focusing of the laser 102 on the food item 106. Preferably the laser 102 is also provided with a variable focusing lens for focusing and defocusing. The mounting may be provided within the food processing compartment of the food processing apparatus 100 in order to move the laser 102 relative to the food item. The laser may be mounted outside the food processing compartment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The food processor 100 may determine the type of the food item 106 based on a recipe used to create it, the ingredients used in making it, the recipe used to create it, feedback from sensors, such as for example data from a camera or which is subjected to imageprocessing to identify a food-type, and information input by a user via the user interface. Processing and memory/data resources may be provided with the food-processor 100 to carry out any analysis necessary to identify a food type, or these may be supplemented or replaced by cloud-based processing resources and data-stores.

The food processing apparatus 100 can be a blender, smoothie-maker, juicer, mixer, stand mixer, cooking food processor, oven, refrigerator, freezer, bread-maker, handblender, hand-mixer, steriliser, hob, brewer, coffee/tea machine, meat-grinder, fruit/vegetable picking machine, and slaughter-house equipment. The processor may be a single-stage processor, or it may subject food/drink ingredients to multi-stage processing (for example, it may be a production line). The term “Food processing apparatus” as used herein may indicate any of the preceding processors.

It should be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

The invention described herein may be used in any kitchen appliance and/or as a standalone device. This includes any domestic food-processing and/or preparation machine, including both top-driven machines (e.g., stand-mixers) and bottom-driven machines (e.g., food processors). It may be implemented in heated and/or cooled machines. The invention may also be implemented in both hand-held (e.g., hand blenders) and tabletop (e.g., blenders) machines. It may be used in a machine that is built-in to a work-top or work surface, or in a stand-alone device. The invention can also be provided as a stand-alone device, whether motor-driven or manually powered.

Whilst the invention has been described in the field of domestic food processing and preparation machines, it can also be implemented in any field of use where efficient, effective and convenient preparation and/or processing of material is desired, either on an industrial scale and/or in small amounts. The field of use includes the preparation and/or processing of: chemicals; pharmaceuticals; paints; building materials; clothing materials; agricultural and/or veterinary feeds and/or treatments, including fertilisers, grain and other agricultural and/or veterinary products; oils; fuels; dyes; cosmetics; plastics; tars; finishes; waxes; varnishes; beverages; medical and/or biological research materials; solders; alloys; effluent; and/or other substances. Any reference to “food”, “Beverage” (or similar language) herein may be replaced by such working mediums.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A food processing apparatus comprising means for encoding information onto a food item, such as a light source for irradiating the food item.

2. A food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is displayed on the food item.

3. A food processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for encoding is adapted to convert the form of the information.

4. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the encoding means is a means for forming graphene on or within the food item.

5. A food processing apparatus comprising means for forming graphene on or within a food item, such as a light source for irradiating the food item.

6. A food processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for encoding information onto the food item.

7. A food processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the information is encoded by mapping to a property of the formed graphene, preferably an electrical property.

8. A food processing apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 7, wherein the means for forming graphene is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of at least one of: an electrical circuit; a sensor; and/or an RFID antenna, preferably wherein the RFID antenna forms part of an RFID tag.

9. A food processing apparatus according to claim 4, 5 or 7, wherein the means for forming graphene is arranged to form graphene in the configuration of at least one of: a graphical symbol, preferably an alphanumeric symbol; a barcode; and/or a QR code.

10. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source is a narrow-band wavelength light source.

11. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source has a narrow-band wavelength between 0.5 and 20 μπι, preferably between 5 and 15 μπι, and more preferably between 9 and 11 μπι.

12. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source is a laser, optionally a pulsed laser, preferably wherein the laser has an effective power between 0.5 and 5 W.

13. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source is arranged to irradiate a target object or portion of the food item, thereby to encode information onto the target object or portion.

14. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for determining a characteristic of the food item, preferably wherein the information encoded onto the food item comprises the determined characteristic of the food item.

15. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a user interface, preferably wherein the user interface is arranged to receive a user input of information, and wherein the information encoded onto the food item comprises information input via the user interface.

16. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the information encoded onto the food item is a reference for the retrieval of further information, optionally wherein the reference is a URL.

17. A food processing apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a reader for reading information encoded onto a food item.

18. A method of encoding information onto a food item using a food processing apparatus, the method comprising irradiating the food item whereby to form graphene on or within the food item.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the irradiating uses a narrow-band wavelength light source.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the encoding comprises mapping a property of the formed graphene to the information.

21. A method according claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the food item comprises a target object or portion, optionally positioned beneath the surface of the food item, and wherein the target object or portion is irradiated thereby to encode information onto the target object or portion.

22. A reader for decoding information from a food item, the food item having graphene formed on or within it, comprising means for determining a property of the graphene formed on or within the food item, and means for mapping the determined property to the said information.

23. A reader according to claim 22, wherein the means for determining a property of the graphene formed on or within the food item comprises: means for inducing current in the graphene; and a receiver for receiving a signal resulting from the current; wherein the reader is arranged to determine a property of the graphene from the signal.

24. A food processing apparatus, optionally according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a reader according to claim 22 or 23.

25. A food processing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the operation of the food processing apparatus is dependent upon the information decoded from the food item.