A new three-year project will bring together a community of scientists, regulators, small- and large-sized businesses, laboratories and other stakeholders to create a research and innovation ecosystem to enhance food authenticity and traceability.

With €2 million funding under Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Actions, the European Food Fraud Community of Practice: From Outset to Operation (EFF-CoP) is led by Professor Saskia van Ruth, Professor of Food Supply Chain Integrity at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

Professor van Ruth said: “Food fraud reaches every dining table in the world and undermines the trust in our foods. The EFF-CoP project will establish and mobilise an unprecedented collaborative 5000 member+ community of scientists, regulators, small- and large-sized businesses in food supply chains and laboratories in driving research and innovation for food authenticity to create a future of greater traceability and confidence in our foods. Anyone interested in joining the community is welcome. EFF-CoP will revolutionise how we combat food fraud, promoting fair competition across food businesses and enhancing consumer faith across Europe.”

The project will utilise innovative engagement and collaboration tools, including food fraud festivals, gamification-based training courses, living labs, an ‘Authentic Appetites’ podcast series, webinars, virtual cafés, a food fraud incident preparedness workshop, and dedicated events for the future generation.

EFF-CoP aims to engage broadly and deeply with the SME sector, as smaller businesses are a crucial link in the international food chain. A significant element of the project is to embed SMEs in a knowledge-sharing network where they can learn from each other's experience and expertise, benefitting from collaboration and innovation across borders.

To this end, the International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises (INSME) is a consortium partner.

Secretary General of INSME, Giovanni Zazzerini commented: "SMEs are not only the backbone but also the most dynamic force in Europe's food sector. However, they often face significant challenges regarding ensuring full transparency and authenticity in their supply chains, especially with limited resources compared to large corporations. Recognising the weaknesses of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the EFF-CoP project directly addresses these challenges, empowering SMEs to take a lead in combating food fraud. This project offers SMEs crucial tools to protect their brands and reputations, better meet growing consumer demands for transparency, and comply more easily with complex regulatory standards.  INSME is proud to be a part of this initiative and we are confident that EFF-CoP will create lasting value for SMEs and, ultimately, for consumers who depend on their commitment to quality and authenticity."

The project also engages with large-scale businesses. Consortium partner SSAFE is a global non-profit membership organisation that works through public-private partnerships to strengthen the global food supply. They have been working on Food Fraud issues for over a decade.

Executive Director of SSAFE, Quincy Lissaur said: “SSAFE is proud to support the European Food Fraud Community of Practice (EFF-CoP) in an advisory capacity, bringing its 10+ years of expertise in combatting food fraud to the table. Food fraud continues to be a serious concern that impacts lives and livelihoods everywhere. This initiative provides a strong way forward to bring together stakeholders from across the EU and other parts of the world to collaboratively combat food fraud. Only together can we fight this problem, and through the establishment of a global CoP we will continue to fight food fraud and strengthen the safe supply and trade of food around the world.”