In an exciting development for the future of food safety and supply chain transparency, UBITECH is proud to announce its participation in the groundbreaking WATSON Research and Innovation Action. This initiative, titled “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,” aims to significantly enhance the integrity and sustainability of food chains across the European Union. The WATSON project, co-funded by the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework of the European Commission under Grant Agreement Nr 101084265, held its kick-off meeting in Dublin, Ireland, marking the commencement of a concerted effort to deploy advanced solutions for ensuring food authenticity and safety.
WATSON is set to deliver a comprehensive methodological framework complemented by a suite of innovative tools and systems designed to detect and prevent fraudulent activities throughout the entire food chain. This initiative will fast-track the implementation of transparency solutions in EU food systems, contributing to the sustainability of food chains by increasing food safety and reducing food fraud.
The project’s approach includes systemic innovations aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency through improved track-and-trace mechanisms, equipping authorities and policymakers with essential data and insights for complete situational awareness, and raising consumer awareness about food safety and value. This holistic strategy will encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles and foster the development of sustainable food ecosystems.
At the heart of WATSON’s methodology is an intelligence-based risk calculation approach that addresses food fraud comprehensively. The project is structured around three pillars: identifying data gaps in the food chain, providing tools to detect and counter food fraud, and facilitating effective cross-border collaboration among public authorities through reliable information sharing.
UBITECH’s role within WATSON involves the development of an AI-supported Early Warning System for the Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Practices, tailored for Food Safety Authorities. This system will process various data types and connect with food fraud-related databases, offering a cutting-edge solution for early fraud detection. Additionally, UBITECH is contributing to the development of the blockchain-based data storage for the WATSON platform, alongside the creation of related data usage and access smart contracts.
Through its participation in WATSON, UBITECH reaffirms its commitment to leveraging emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, and Distributed Ledger Technology, to enhance transparency and establish a robust traceability regime within supply chains. The company’s contributions will also include developing novel, non-invasive tools for on-the-spot analysis of food products, thereby ensuring their safety and authenticity.
