PRESS RELEASE

International Conference ‘TRACKING THE FUTURE’

With the support of the European project TRACEBACK 036300 financed by the EC under the 6FP

www.traceback-ip.eu

Globalization, implying supply of ingredients from around the world and distribution of food products with extended shelf-life over long distances, combined with the market demand of freshness, deeply influence the risk profile of foods. In response to these risks and to protect the final consumers, food chains apply "food traceability".

However, the concept of traceability is conventionally linked to company's internal needs of keeping track of a step upstream (the supplier) and a step downstream (the customer). By doing aso, the companies also comply with the current regulation.

All this is necessary but not sufficient anymore. It is necessary to move from “traceability” towards the concept of "Supply chain Integrity". The term "integrity" suggests the idea of “wholeness”, but also of "safety", that in a context of supply chain takes on a wider meaning such as security, safety and quality, origin assurance and crises and fraud prevention along the entire chain, not only one step upstream and one step downstream.

Introducing "Supply Chain Integrity" is now possible thanks to the great technological research results produced during the last years by a number of large initiatives, including the European Integrated project TRACEBACK in which 27 partners from 11 countries teamed up for four years to build a new traceability architecture for the food supply chain extended to safety and quality.

The Conference "Tracking the Future" intends to face this issue and to open a new debate on the role of technological research for future food chains. The Conference will take place over two days:

10-11 November, 2010 starting at 9.00 a.m.

Centro Congressi Fondazione Cariplo Milan, Italy, Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 8

3 Montenapoleone or 1-3 Duomo

The XVII-century Palazzo Confalonieri in Milan, place of important scientific events, acts as a background to the event. Simultaneous translation English/Italian is provided. Organization As a joint private-public non-profit research consortium specialized in agrifood research, Tecnoalimenti S.C.p.A. is composed of 28 food sector industries and one financial institution, trustee of Italian Ministry of Research funds. Founded in 1981 for promoting, co-ordinating and executing industrial research, in almost 30 years Tecnoalimenti managed a large number of national and international projects in collaboration with industry, Universities and research centres. Programme, Registration and Contacts Participation free of charge, with mandatory registration. Follow the instructions on the Programme. For further information: Tecnoalimenti S.C.p.A. – Phone n. +39 02 67 07 73 70 Contact persons: Raffaello Prugger and Marianna Faraldi e-mail: m.faraldi@tecnoalimenti.com Internet: www.tecnoalimenti.com