In times of complex globalised food and feed supply chains there is a strong need for efficient tracing strategies including data collection and data exchange approaches as well as powerful interoperable tracing software tools. In general, harmonised data structures, accurate and detailed datasets, digitalised data collection tools including data validation as well as interfaces to data systems are essential to allow for a faster tracing data exchange and thorough tracing.
To achieve those aims, a new project cooperation between
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority and
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was initiated in 2021. The project is the continuation of the current
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority-
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Framework Partnership Agreement (GP/
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority/AMU/2020/02) and specifically the projects SA6 “Data collection tool for tracing purposes in the context of urgent scientific advice” and SA7 “Food & feed classification for tracing purposes”. The main purpose of this follow-up project is to optimize FoodChain-Lab and FoodChain-Lab Web including its visualization, analysis and reporting features with regard to the new requirements of a multi-actor tracing tool ecosystem and make it fit for purpose. Feedback for the optimization with regard to a high level of applicability and user-friendliness will be achieved from the corresponding
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority-
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment projects SA11 and SA10.
By tailoring FoodChain-Lab to the needs of local, national and European authorities, the software will improve the quality, timeliness and completeness of tracing analyses and therfore will help to solve complex foodborne crises more efficiently.