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)

WATSON provides a methodological framework combined with a set of tools and systems that can detect and prevent fraudulent activities throughout the whole food chain thus accelerating the deployment of transparency solutions in the EU food systems.

The proposed framework will improve the sustainability of food chains by increasing food safety and reducing food fraud through systemic innovations that: a) increase transparency in food supply chains through improved track-and-trace mechanisms containing accurate, time-relevant, and untampered information for the food product throughout its whole journey, b) equip authorities and policymakers with data, knowledge, and insights in order to have the complete situational awareness of the food chain and c) raise the consumer awareness on food safety and value, leading to the adoption of healthier lifestyles and the development of sustainable food ecosystems.

WATSON implements an intelligence-based risk calculation approach to address the phenomenon of food fraud in a holistic way. The project includes three distinct pillars, namely, i) the identification of data gaps in the food chain, ii) the provision of methods, processes, and tools to detect and counter food fraud, and iii) the effective cross-border collaboration of public authorities through accurate and trustworthy information sharing. WATSON will rely upon emerging technologies (AI, IoT, DLT, etc.) enabling transparency within supply chains through the development of a rigorous, traceability regime, and novel tools for rapid, non-invasive, on-the-spot analysis of food products.

The results will be demonstrated in 6 use cases:

1. prevention of counterfeit alcoholic beverages,
2. preservation of the authenticity of PGI honey,
3. on-site authenticity check and traceability of olive oil,
4. the identification of possible manipulations at all stages of the meat chain,
5. the improved traceability of high-value products in cereal and dairy chain,
6. combat of salmon counterfeiting.

WATSON partners

• University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin
• Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement
• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
• Ethniko Kentro Erevnas kai Technologikis Anaptyxis
• Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus Vtt OY
• Max Rubner Institut Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Ernaehrung und Lebensmittel
• Sintef Nord AS
• Inesc Tec – Instituto de Engenhariade Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciencia
• Ethnicon Metsovion Polytechnion
• Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin
• Netcompany-Intrasoft S.A.
• Synelixis Solutions S.A.
• Biocos IKE
• Asociacion de Investigacion de Industrias Carnicas del Principado de Asturias
• Foodscale Hub Greece Association for Entrepreunership and Innovation Astiki Mi Kerdoskopiki Etaireia
• Smart Agro Hub Anonymi Etairia
• Ubitech Limited
• DBC Europe
• UPC Konsultointi OY
• Zveza Potrosnikov Slovenije Drustvo
• Unione Nazionale Consumatori
• Deco -Associacao Portuguesa para Adefesa do Consumidor
• Asociacion para la Promocion Ygestion igp miel de Asturias
• Migros Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
• The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness ASBL
• Iseki-Food – Europaische Gesellschaft fur die Integration der Lebensmittelwissinschaft und Technolgie in die Lebensmittelversorgungskette
• Consejeria de Medio Rural y Cohesion Territorial del Principado de Asturias
• European Food Information Ressource Aisbl
• A.D.V.I.D. Associacao para o Desenvolvimento da Viticultura Duriense
• Societa agricola Organizzazione di Produttori Aprol Umbria soc Cooperativa
• Hameen Ammatti-Instituutti OY
• Bayerisches Landesamt fur Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit
• Bulgarian Wine Export Association
• Universitat Bayreuth
• Fiskeridirektoratet
• Hermes AS
• Espersen AS
• Euronews
• Metro Anonymi Emporiki kai Viomichaniki Etaireia Eidon Diatrofis kai Oikiakis Chriseos
• Allatorvostudomanyi Egyetem