Project summary

DETECTIVE aims to pioneer advanced methods for detecting, identifying, and quantifying plant and animal products from new genomic techniques (NGTs). Functional and reliable detection methods enable traceability, transparency and informed consumer choice and may be required for regulatory compliance. However, the detection methods that are being used for GMOs today are sometimes not suitable for NGT products, which lack clearly identifiable genetic elements.

DETECTIVE will explore cutting-edge sequencing, amplification- and non-amplification-based approaches, validated in national reference labs, alongside machine learning-based screening. DETECTIVE will moreover delve into non-technical identity preservation strategies to enable traceability and authenticity, recognising the potential limitations of analytical detection alone. This holistic approach will also consider economic and legal implications, aiming to provide comprehensive traceability solutions applicable to a broad spectrum of NGT-derived products.

DETECTIVE is committed to actively engaging stakeholders at every stage of the project, fostering a robust Community of Practice that allows enforcement authorities, public and private laboratories, developers, and agri-food operators to share knowledge and expertise. By leveraging communication efforts aimed at broader audiences by including i.a. civil society, DETECTIVE aims to promote innovation in the field of NGTs and facilitate the transition to more sustainable food systems.

1. Successfully completing market authorisations for regulated products.

The research activities are organised through seven workpackages, including five research workpackages while the remaining two are focused on project coordination, and dissemination, exploitation and communication.