The FOODPRINT project advances knowledge on detection and traceability of genome-edited organisms and products in the context of the European food chain. Such knowledge is relevant for the industry to expand innovation in the food system and to comply with current labelling and traceability requirement in the European Union (EU). It is also relevant to enforcement authorities, developers and agri-food operators in developing authenticity and traceability methods to meet the societal challenge of promoting effective food-choices.

Detection and identification challenges of certain types of genome-edited products are not always related to the lack of analytical methodologies to detect the particular genetic modifications present in these products, but rather to the difficulty in differentiating and quantifying them in food and feed matrices. Therefore, the current system for GMO detection and identification operated in the EU might not be sufficiently suitable for these products.

FOODPRINT investigates how the different genome-editing DNA sequences impact their detection, test which parameters are necessary to generate effective, reliable and operational gene-editing unique identifiers, and how new and alternative detection methods can address the challenges described above. We propose the assessment of additional layers of genetic information , which would include the assessment of protein and metabolite profiles, to serve as new and reliable gene-editing biomarkers. For proof of concept, we will use a model system based on Crispr/Cas9 modified lines and the non-GM near isogenic line as a comparator for the molecular profiling analysis.

This project will offer technically and economically feasible options for multiple stakeholders, such as industry, civil society organizations and regulators on traceability and labelling of gene-edited products through a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework. It will also have a potential impact to all EU member States as well as trade partner countries.

Development of measures it also will be to be used to meet the UN sustainable development Goal #2 – Zero Hunger, Goal #13 -Climate Action, and Goal #15: Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification.  The project is also relevant for the value creation based on safe European food innovations, as well as for strengthening organic and other high quality food production sector (25% target for agricultural land under organic production in the European Farm-to-Fork Strategy) and their marketing (consumer choice goals) based on the ability to preserve the identity of such production chains.