Press conference of the TRACKING THE FUTURE conference in Milan supported by the project TRACEBACK

1. 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