Smart Refrigerator With RFID-Based Expiry Alert System Using ESP32

Authors: Yamini G, Manasa M, Lakshmi M, Mahant Singh, Hamsa M

Abstract: Food waste resulting from the unnoticed expiration of stored food is a prevalent issue in both home and commercial settings. Traditional refrigerators lack an automated way to track food expiration dates, leading to the unnecessary disposal of still-edible items. To address this problem, this study introduces a Smart Refrigerator with an RFID-based expiry notification system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Each food item is given an RFID tag, which is scanned prior to placing the item in the refrigerator. The expiry date is then input through the Blynk mobile application connected to an ESP32 microcontroller. The ESP32 retains the food item information in its internal memory and continuously checks the expiry dates. A day before the expiration date, a cautionary message appears on an OLED display attached to the refrigerator. If the food item is taken out before it expires, the RFID tag is scanned again to refresh the system. The proposed solution is cost-effective, easy to use, and aids in minimizing food waste by sending timely notifications.