EU research examines improved safety and quality of citrus supply
As consumers increasingly come to expect high quality for the food they purchase, a group of research centres has joined forces to examine ways of improving both safety and quality along the supply chain for citrus products. Their research aims to help processors reduce or eliminate the chance of pathogens contaminating their final products. The EuroMedCitrusNet project is designed to promote stronger research collaboration between the EU and Mediterranean partner countries from which processors source their citrus supplies. The EU-funded project, coordinated by the Portuguese Society for Innovation (SPI), began in October 2006 and will run for two years. The project is funded through the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) under the Food Safety and Quality priority. The research institutions involved in the project come from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. 'Through this project they will bring together scientists and industrialists to create a sustainable Mediterranean network for the citrus sector to support research relevant to safe and high quality cross-border supply chains,' said the SPI. The team recently announced the launch of an internet site from which processors and others can access information. The website will be the focus point for information on the project and a means of establishing and strengthening EU-Mediterranean partner country collaboration in citrus sector research Project organisers and anyone interested in the research can register in the database, and then contribute towards the construction of a comprehensive information source on research activity, facilities, training and other relevant information.
Countries
Portugal