TITAN Webinar: Implementation of new innovative technologies_January 2025

In this session TITAN hosted a webinar under the Key Expertise Area “Implementation of New Innovative Technologies.”

The event featured two distinguished speakers: Michele Suman, discussing advanced analytical approaches to food authenticity and safety, and Francesco Mureddu, who explored the transformative role of digital and disruptive technologies across the food system.

Michele Suman (Barilla): New Detection Methods for Food Authenticity and Safety

Michele presented an overview of how modern analytical methods can address increasingly complex global challenges around food authenticity and safety. She emphasized how today’s supply chains are shaped by rising consumer expectations, geopolitical instability, and digital connectivity.

1. Two-step Analytical Approach: He advocated a sequential method starting with non-targeted screening (e.g. NIR spectroscopy, metabolomics) followed by confirmatory tests (e.g. isotope analysis, mass spectrometry).
2. Robust Sampling Plans: He emphasized the need for representative sampling and inter-laboratory reproducibility to validate models for industrial use.
3. Screening Technologies: Portable NIR tools, Dart-MS, and FT-NIR were highlighted for rapid, cost-effective screening—especially useful for fraud detection in spices, wheat, and processed meats.

Francesco Mureddu (Lisbon Council): Disruptive Digital Technologies in the Food System

Francesco provided a macro-level view of how disruptive technologies shape food systems, aligning with EU sustainability and resilience goals. Drawing from three Horizon Europe projects—WATSON, ALLIANCE, and Data4Food2030—he outlined how tools such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, and open data are being leveraged to tackle food fraud, enhance traceability, and support data economies in agri-food.

Project Applications:

1. WATSON focuses on food fraud detection through integrated digital systems.
2. ALLIANCE enhances quality label traceability and data integrity.
3. Data4Food2030 explores how the emerging food data economy can be structured, modeled, and applied to drive sustainability.

The session illustrated how merging analytical science with digital innovation holds immense promise for building transparent, traceable, and trustworthy food systems.

You can watch the full webinar below: