As European food systems evolve under the pressure of new sustainability regulations, the demand for reliable, transparent, and citizen-centred solutions is stronger than ever. TRACE-IT, one of the FOODITY Open Call 2 winners, is stepping up to address this challenge. By aligning regulatory compliance with industry practices and consumer expectations, the project seeks to transform how traceability and sustainability are managed across global food supply chains.
TRACE-IT aims to bridge regulatory requirements, industry needs, and consumer expectations, fostering a more transparent and sustainable European food system.
The European food industry faces unprecedented challenges in meeting the stringent requirements of new EU Green Deal regulations, particularly the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). These regulations demand comprehensive traceability and sustainability verification throughout complex global supply chains, especially for high-risk commodities like cocoa and coffee.
Simultaneously, there’s a growing consumer demand for transparency in food sourcing and production practices. Adding to this complexity is the need to ensure GDPR compliance in data collection and management practices, especially when dealing with small-scale producers and consumers. The industry must balance the need for comprehensive data gathering with respect for individual privacy rights and data sovereignty.
Furthermore, effective citizen engagement has become crucial, as consumers increasingly seek active participation in understanding and influencing the sustainability of their food choices. However, current traceability solutions often struggle with data fragmentation, lack of interoperability, limited engagement with small-scale producers, and inadequate mechanisms for consumer interaction. These challenges hinder the industry’s ability to meet new standards efficiently and cost-effectively while also falling short in providing GDPR-compliant, citizen-centric approaches to food system transparency.
Watch the video below to learn more about their solution:
The Trace-IT team
- Alessandro Chelli, CEO at Trusty. Business Developer at Trace-IT.
- Rossella Guarnieri, Project Manager at Trusty. Project Manager at Trace-IT.
- Alessandro Pallante, Software Engineer at Trusty. Software Engineer at Trace-IT.
- Francesco Bozzo, Professor at Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro -Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA).
- Enza Antonietta Campanella, Technical staff at Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro – Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA).
"At FOODITY, I am excited to implement a GDPR-compliant solution for end-to-end traceability that combines compliance and citizen engagement."
"I am eager to collaborate with local stakeholders, including farmer cooperatives and community organisations, to identify and implement capacity-building initiatives."
Trusty S.r.l.
Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro -Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA)
TRACE-IT aims to redefine how data, regulations, and consumer trust intersect in the European food system. The project represents an important step toward building a future where transparency is not only a regulatory requirement but also a shared value between producers, businesses, and citizens.
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