This work examines the main features of modern electronic noses (e-noses) and their most important
applications in food control in this new century. The three components of an electronic nose (sample
handling system, detection system, and dataprocessing system)are described. Special attention is devoted
to the promising mass spectrometry based e-noses, due to their advantages over the more classical gas
sensors. Applications described include process monitoring, shelf-life investigation, freshness evaluation,
authenticity assessment, as well as other general aspects of the utilization of electronic noses in food
control. Finally, some interesting remarks concerning the strengths and weaknesses of electronic noses
in food control are also mentioned.