RDE638 EU Horizon Europe Thematic Network Tackling Food Fraud by translating research and innovation into practice

Defra's Food Authenticity Programme has been increasing its engagement with EU and international authenticity activities over recent years in support of the Agri-Food Chain policy priority; to work with international partners to deliver science-based food standards, support enforcement of food labelling and standards policy, ensure supply chain integrity, protect consumer confidence, support a level playing field for business and facilitate fair practices in global trade. A recent consortium bid (led by the University College Dublin) in response to a Horizon Europe call on tackling food fraud has been successful and LGC is one of the consortium partners. Defra is providing top-up funding to support LGC's participation in this €2 million interdisciplinary EU-wide consortium project for 3 years, which will deliver on one of the Horizon Europe farm to fork main priorities: tackling food fraud along the food supply chain. Defra funding will help ensure a UK partner in this strategically important project (University of Dublin are co-ordinating the project), showcase and enhance the UKs Food Authenticity Network (which will be used to disseminate project outputs) and will leverage input from other countries/EU. This project is timely in strengthening links with other countries and increase access to expertise. Additionally, the work supports departmental objectives for a productive, secure and resilient food and drink sector. The project will facilitate progress to preventing food fraud by translating research and innovation knowledge into practical applications. This will be achieved by establishing and mobilising the European Food Fraud Community of Practice (EFF-CoP), a sustainable Research and Innovation (R&I) eco-system of food fraud researchers and end-users based on solid sociological principles. These include designing for evolution; considering the various EFF-CoP members' perspectives and fostering dialogues; accommodating varying levels of participation offering a diverse range of valuable materials and events; and creating a consistent rhythm for the EFF-CoP. A diverse group of stakeholders has been gathered in the consortium including scientists, regulators, large and small-sized industry, the organic sector and existing networks such as the Food Authenticity Network (FAN-an award winning, world-leading authenticity network established by Defra and run by LGC) with >5,100 members globally. These stakeholders are catalysers to reach out rapidly to a large number of prospective EFF-CoP members. The expected outcomes of this research project are:

• widespread use of existing and new knowledge, and innovative solutions by end-users/practitioners (official control authorities, food businesses, etc.) on the ground ensuring that food fraud is tackled,
• improvement of knowledge flow and innovative solutions with end-users through more dynamic interactions and new collaboration methodologies to prevent food fraud in the food supply chain.
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