Genetic traceability of Greek and Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
The final objective is to fight against olive oil fraud and defend the consumer by filling the information gap on the label from the beginning, for the analysis and choice of an oil, based on its intrinsic value of quality and identity for specific consumption. The olive oil supply chain will be genetically traced step by step, from the raw materials in the field, to the milling and storage tanks, as well as during the related movements (carriers) up to the bottling, labelling and product for sale (ex post).
The traceability system will involve the development of field/mill portability technologies for high-throughput DNA extraction and molecular characterisation for low-cost genetic profile analysis. Work is underway towards an innovative database, capable of executing complex queries in a robust Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning post-processing pipeline. This will allow for an accurate and automated classification of the genetic profiles of cultivars and olive oils for each batch of a label based on its varieties, creating a “DNA fingerprint”. The most useful data (e.g. geo-localised orchards, date of pressing, bottling, etc.) will be collected and stored in the blockchain platform and will be accessible to interested parties up to the consumer who will have access to the secure olive oil chain via the QR code on the product label. Finally, a digital passport of produced and bottled batches will be created to provide credible and reliable information for a food product tracked in one place.
This pilot has similar objectives to the ALLIANCE PDO/PGI extra virgin oil demonstrator [https://alliance-heu-project.eu/pilots/dna-blockchain], including empoying DNA techniques for authentication and blockchain [https://alliance-heu-project.eu/sites/default/files/dissemination/ALLIANCE_Blockchain.pdf], although it does not focus specifically on PDO/PGI certified products which are at the core of ALLIANCE.
Country: Italy Greece