SIGMA CHAIN

The BRC is the leader of the European Commission funded FP6 project Sigma Chain.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The European citizen requires harmonised food and feed chain traceability systems that offer protection from poisoning by dangerous agents and substances. The objective of this project is to develop methodologies that will optimise the traceability process with respect to chain vulnerability to contamination.
This project will evaluate current chain traceability systems, including methodologies for the identification of contaminants. Chain vulnerability varies depending on chain type, and case studies will be conducted on four “high vulnerability” products, representing 3 major categories of chains. The products are: drinking water (i.e. a rapid contamination chain); milk powder (i.e. a batch mixing chain); and both poultry meat and farmed salmon (i.e. long geographic chains). Each of these chains will be mapped and their vulnerability to contamination assessed. A risk model will be developed to provide quantitative risk assessments of chain vulnerability. A generic Framework will be constructed for the assessment of chain vulnerability and the prioritisation of chain contamination risk. This Framework will be validated using the case studies and wider inputs from stakeholders. The outputs from these tasks will be synthesised into a Stakeholders’ Guide to food and feed chain vulnerability to contamination. The Guide will be in book format, supported by software that enables the stakeholder to input specific chain data for a product and produce associated chain maps and assessments of contamination risks. It will also enable the stakeholder to examine risk minimisation options (viz. corrective measures), such as enhanced security of the most vulnerable links. This software will be accessible via the project web portal. This is a 3-year €2.93 million STREP with 11 partners that achieves critical mass comprising centres of expertise from universities, research institutes and industry (2 SMEs) spread across the EU (including New EU State Poland) and 3 rd country (Brazil). SMEs account for ca. 16% of the budget, and there are venture capital and training programmes in place to assist them in the exploitation of the outputs. The project has a comprehensive project management, Gender Mainstreaming and technology implementation plan.

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CONTACT:
Dr. Alexis Pacquit by email   Tel. + 353 1 716 3530
Dr. Fergal Tansey by email    Tel. + 353 1 716 3531