ALLIANCE is joining a project cluster

The ALLIANCE project is now clustering with two related EU projects, WATSON and THEROS, in order to explore synergies and opportunities for collaboration and cross-fertilisation. All three projects are developing innovative solutions to improve traceability and preventing fraud along food supply chains, with two of them (ALLIANCE and THEROS) having a specific focus on quality labelled food products, i.e. with an geographic indication (GI, PGI, PDO) or certified as organic. 

THEROS - An integrated toolbox for improved verification and prevention of adulterations and non-compliances in organic and geographical indications food supply chain - has received funding under the same topic of ALLIANCE (Innovative solutions to prevent adulteration of food bearing quality labels: focus on organic food and geographical indications) and is therefore considered a "sister project". THEROS aims to tackle the misuse and counterfeiting of the geographical indication label on products by implementing a new integrated toolbox that can verify organic and geographical food labels. Specifically, it will come up with low-cost, digital and scalable solutions that rely on Earth Observation, photonics, Internet of Things and DNA authenticity methods, coupled with advanced analytics, machine learning and AI. The toolbox will be tested in four countries covering diverse requirements. Find out more here: https://theros-project.eu/ 

WATSON - A holistic frameWork with Anticounterfeit and inTelligence-based technologieS that will assist food chain stakehOlders in rapidly identifying and preveNting the spread of fraudulent practices - is instead funded under a different topic, Effective systems for authenticity and traceability in the food system, though still part of the Farm2Fork-01 call. WATSON is developing a set of tools and systems that can detect and prevent fraudulent practices across the entire food supply chain. It will increase transparency through improved track-and-trace mechanisms containing accurate, time-relevant and untampered information on the food product throughout its whole journey. The project will also raise consumer awareness about food safety and value, leading to the adoption of healthier lifestyles and the development of sustainable food ecosystems. Moreover, it will demonstrate the solutions in six different use cases across a number of key food supply chains, covering important commodity groups in the European food system (e.g. wine, olive oil, honey, meat, fish, cereal and dairy). Find out more here: https://watsonproject.eu/ 

This clustering is expected to benefit all three projects and maximise their impact. After the first kick-off liaison meeting which took place in February 2024, the three project will establish regular joint online meeting every two to three months.