Watson
Project using ICTs to tackle fraudulent practices in the food supply chain
Description
Under the Watson research and innovation project, Digital technologies are being designed and integrated into food supply chains in an attempt to tackle fraudulent practices in the food supply chain and to improve overall transparency for the benefit of both consumers and food authorities. The digital solutions are being tested and applied across six use cases in different European countries, each considering unique operational challenges and environments, and include: 1) tackling the counterfeiting of wine in Portugal; 2) preserving the authenticity of PGI honey in Spain; 3) ensuring the rapid traceability of extra virgin olive oil in Italy; 4) identifying possible manipulations at all stages of the meat chain in Germany; 5) improving the traceability of high-value products in the cereal and dairy chain in Finland; and 5) combating white fish counterfeiting in Norway.
Technology
The Watson project is developing a digital technology reference architecture that integrates several novel technologies in support of food traceability and transparency, including: 1) AI-supported early warning systems for food safety authorities with links to food fraud databases; 2) Internet of things (IoT)-based tracing and tracking services for greater supply chain transparency; 3) fast, cost-effective and flexible tools for authenticity control and real-time food product analysis; and 4) Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) and Data Analytics (DA) offering transparency and tamper-proof information.
Target
An interdisciplinary consortium of 45 partners from 20 EU and non-EU countries is involved in, and is benefitting from the Watson project, working together to develop a holistic traceability framework integrated with data-driven services, intelligence-based toolsets and risk-estimation approaches, allowing food safety authorities to detect and prevent food fraud more effectively.
Business model
The 3-year, EUR 11 million Watson project is being co-funded under the Horizon Europe programme, and is aimed at tackling fraudulent practices in the food supply chain. Access to the project activities and deliverables is free of charge.
Impact
As of November 2024, the Watson project is still in its early stage. Overall, the research and innovation project aims to make food chains more sustainable by reducing food fraud and improving transparency through innovations in track-and-trace mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of food product information along the supply chain; by equipping authorities and policymakers with the necessary data and insights needed to monitor the entire food supply chain; and by increasing consumer awareness of food safety, promoting healthier lifestyles and supporting the development of greener and more sustainable food ecosystems.
Partners
University College of Dublin; European Commission Joint Research Centre; CERTH; SINTEF; Universitat Bayreuth; Hami; INRAE; INESCTEC; IBBR; Bordeaux Science Agro; VTT; MRI Max Rubner-Institut; National Technical University of Athens; Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin; ASINCAR; Hermes; Upcode; DBC diadikasia; Biocos; Euronews; Netcompany; Synelixis; Smart AgroHub; Ubitech; ResilienceGuard; Wellics; ZPS Slovene consumers’ association; 1955 UNC Consumatori.it; DECO Sempre Consigo; Mile de Asturia; ISEKI-Food Association; EuroFir; Advid; Aprol Umbria; Bulgarian Wine Export Association; Mitera; Metro; Espersen; Migros Ticaret A.S.; FiBL; University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest; Gobierno del Principato de Asturias; Reframe.food; the Lisbon Counci; Fiskeridirektoratet.
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
