Years since the outbreak of the mainland in 2008, melamine incident, public concern and requirement about food safety are increasing. In fact, the industry, government and academia also initiated many research plans and policy measures for the issue. Currently, the government has begun construct food traceability system plaforms layer by layer, including Taiwan agriculture and food traceability system, Taiwan processed food traceability system and food distribution traceability system. However, since the implement costs are considerable and the benefits of food traceability are unknown, to enhance the willingness to implementation food traceability, it must be attractive enough to let the market value widely recognized and accepted. Accordingly, the key factors in promoting food traceability and assessment criteria of each factor would be the issues that the government and the food industry are eager to figure out. Based on literature and traceability current developments, this study sort out the hierarchy factors of implementation of food traceability system, including government policy side, third-party certification unit, traceability information system, production and management side, supply chain collaboration, consumers cognitive, then design the qualitative and quantitative questionnaires by Analytic Hierarchy Process. Interview with nine experts (3 industrial, 3 government unit and 3 academic) and conduct in-depth discussion to reach key factors in the weight and priority of promoting food traceability system in Taiwan. In conclusion, our three major conclusions and recommendations, as follows: 1."Production and management side," "government policy side", "consumer awareness and acceptance" are driving foctors of the development of food traceability. "Supply chain collaboration", "traceability information system" and "third-party certification body" are complementary elements, which still needs proper planning and construction. 2. From the perspective of business, prior assessment of the food traceability will maximum effectiveness. It helpbusiness to improve the internal processes, risk management, in addition to protect consumer health and safety, enhance corporate reputation. 3. The Government should refer to the development of food traceability leading countries develop food safety regulations, orderly planning of food traceability systems. Also promote to food industry, and consumer.

High-profile outbreaks in the U.S. have been increasingly linked to the consumption of leafy greens (Xue et al. 2007), making traceability an important issue (Corkery and Popper 2018). Consumers' increasing attention to traceability (Hansstein 2014) has led to the implementation of blockchain-based traceability systems. This study measures U.S. consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for blockchain-based traceability information in packages of romaine lettuce and spinach. We conduct two online Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) and surveys to understand consumer preferences for USDA-certified organic leafy greens, access to blockchain-based traceability information via QR codes, and the FDA's voluntary labeling guidelines involving growing region information. Our findings suggest that some U.S. consumers are willing to pay a premium for food products with blockchain-based traceability or standard traceability information delivered via QR-codes. Findings also reflect some consumers' interest in organic products, and in knowing the detailed growing region information, particularly if leafy greens are grown in Arizona.

La globalizzazione del mercato agroalimentare ha determinato una crescente attenzione da parte dei consumatori verso i prodotti alimentari, non solo in termini di qualità e di sicurezza, ma anche di origine geografica. Infatti, il territorio d’origine ha un forte impatto sull’alimento, dovuto alle condizioni pedoclimatiche che ne determinano le caratteristiche. Poiché non esistono dei metodi analitici di routine per l’autenticazione della provenienza geografica, lo scopo del progetto di ricerca è quello di determinare l’origine geografica e l’autenticità degli alimenti mediante profiling dei composti fenolici e steroli, grazie all’applicazione di tecnologie omiche, tecniche statistiche e chemometriche. La componente fenolica e/o steroli dei campioni, viene analizzata tramite cromatografia liquida (UHPLC) accoppiata ad uno spettrometro di massa (Q-TOF-MS). I dati così ottenuti, vengono elaborati mediante statistica multivariata. L’applicazione combinata di avanzate tecnologie omiche e tecniche statistiche chemometriche ha portato come risultato l’effettiva identificazione della provenienza geografica e autenticità di numerose matrici alimentari. I dati ottenuti dimostrano che i metaboliti secondari possiedono proprietà discriminanti. L’approccio di metabolomica UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS combinato a una statistica multivariata risulta essere adeguato per identificare potenziali markers. Il lavoro attuale è focalizzato sulla ricerca di nuovi metaboliti che, insieme a fenoli e steroli possano confermare la potenza di questo approccio. / Nowadays, food traceability is a growing consumer interest worldwide. Food traceability could be considered a fundamental tool for ensuring safety and high quality of food. Food quality is based not only on the safety and integrity of food, but also on the authenticity, the genuineness of the raw material and the geographical origin. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential of untargeted metabolomics to ensure the authenticity and traceability of foods. Secondary metabolites, like polyphenols and sterols, could be conveniently used to meet this goal due to their chemical diversity and their responses to environmental stimuli. Samples were analyzed through UHPLC-ESI/QTOF-MS. The obtained data were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. The obtained results showed that secondary metabolites can be efficiently used for authenticity and traceability purposes, with regards to cultivars and geographical origin. These information confirm the role of environmental factors in shaping the actual profile of secondary metabolites in plant foods. The markers found could be used for a target quantification method, a less expensive and less sophisticated analysis, in order to provide an efficient tool that could help to guarantee food quality on routine basis.

This study examines small and medium scale specialty crop growers’ preferences for marketing contract attributes and willingness to adopt blockchain-based smart contracts. The data used were collected using an online survey and discrete choice experiment. Findings indicate that farmers prefer higher average prices, cash, check or electronic bank payment over cryptocurrency, and immediate payment upon product delivery over delayed payment. When choosing a contract, farmers viewed traditional text-based contracts and digital platforms with automated smart contracts equivalently, on average. On average, farmers showed no preference for providing and not providing traceability lot codes to buyers, and between choosing a contract and marketing their products as usual. Although we find that some farmers prefer to provide traceability lot codes to buyers while others do not, and some farmers prefer having a contract option while others do not. These insights could be useful to buyers and specialty crop farmers seeking to contract.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2016-06-10T16:46:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MATEUS DALL’ AGNOL_.pdf: 1224409 bytes, checksum: a2a82c49a43c77b5efba38bd73ade59e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-10T16:46:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MATEUS DALL’ AGNOL_.pdf: 1224409 bytes, checksum: a2a82c49a43c77b5efba38bd73ade59e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-21 / Nenhuma / A dissertação tem como objetivo principal identificar as principais práticas de gestão integrada para a cadeia da carne. Essas práticas são baseadas nos requisitos da família NBR ISO 9000, NBR ISO 14.000 e NBR ISO 22000 adotados pelas indústrias processadoras de carne no estado do Tocantins, região norte do Brasil. Os grandes mercados mundiais, bem como os consumidores, estão cada vez mais preocupados com a forma pela qual essa carne é transportada para consumo humano. O lucro com as exportações se aproxima de U$ 8 bilhões, apenas se nos referirmos ao ano de 2015 (ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DAS INDÚSTRIAS EXPORTADORAS DE CARNES (ABIEC), 2015). As exigências estão cada vez maiores, novas normas e requisitos para a importação são grandes desafios para as processadoras de carne do Tocantins, do Brasil e do mundo. As certificações ISO permitem às processadoras de carne se adequar a estes requisitos, pois a implementação dos sistemas trazem ganhos na Gestão do negócio (ISO 9001), melhoram a Qualidade Alimentar (ISO 22000) e promovem os cuidados para mitigar danos ambientais (ISO 14.001). A rastreabilidade da cadeia de suprimentos através da implementação de Sistemas de Radiofrequência – RFID pode trazer maiores vantagens competitivas, com redução de custos e melhor rastreabilidade dos produtos do campo à mesa do consumidor final. As processadoras estudadas adotam sistemas de qualidade e de certificações ISO, e utilizam procedimentos padrões ou similares quando abastecem o mercado externo e interno. Este estudo busca contribuir para a comunidade acadêmica e industrial, e para a engenharia de produção, analisando a gestão da cadeia de suprimento de gado de corte no Tocantins. Para o desenvolvimento desse estudo, utilizou-se um estudo de caso como abordagem metodológica, e uma pesquisa histórica fundamentada em revisão da literatura. Essa pesquisa apresenta uma abordagem TQM Total Quality Management, que permitiu apresentar SCM (Supply Chain Management), nas processadoras de carne bovina do Tocantins. O estudo baseou-se na metodologia qualitativa e iniciou com pesquisa exploratória e revisão bibliográfica da literatura, usando portal da CAPES. Posteriormente, foram analisados os dados da revisão bibliográfica, buscando identificar as dimensões técnicas, tecnológicas e certificações de qualidade em sistemas de produção alimentar. A partir da identificação dos principais constructos, foi elaborado um questionário piloto que foi encaminhado a três especialistas para sua validação e, após alguns ajustes, foi aplicado nas processadoras. Os resultados da pesquisa foram agrupados e analisados à luz da literatura. Em seguida, iniciaram-se as proposições, trazendo contribuições e sugestões de implementação de melhorias nas processadoras de carne bovina do Tocantins, além de sugestões de futuras pesquisas em Sistema de Gestão da qualidade na cadeia de suprimento de carne bovina. A adoção do SGQ, sendo uma ferramenta que traz controle e padronização dos processos permitindo a medição da eficácia das ações tomadas, com foco na satisfação do cliente e na busca da melhoria contínua dos processos, produz um diferencial às processadoras de carne no mercado, e constituem uma prática nas processadoras de carne bovina do estado do Tocantins. Isso representa grande vantagem competitiva, necessária no processo de melhoria de uma empresa. / The dissertation aims to identify the main practices of integrated management for the meat chain. These practices are based on the ISO 9000 family requirements, ISO 14000 and ISO 22000 adopted by the meat processing industry in the state of Tocantins, northern Brazil. The major global markets and consumers are increasingly concerned about the way the meat is transported to human consumption. Earnings from exports approaching $ 8 billion, only if we refer to the year 2015 (ABIEC, 2015). The demands are increasing, new standards and import requirements are major challenges for the meat processing in Tocantins, Brazil and the world. The ISO certifications enable meat processors to adapt to these requirements, for the implementation of systems bring gains in Business Management (ISO 9001), improve food quality (ISO 22000) and foster care to mitigate environmental damage (ISO 14001). The traceability of the supply chain through the implementation of Radio Frequency Systems - RFID can bring greater competitive advantage with lower costs and better traceability of farm products to the table the final consumer. The processing studied adopt quality systems and ISO certifications, and use standard procedures or similar when supplying the domestic and international markets. This study seeks to contribute to the academic and industrial community, and production engineering, analyzing the management of beef cattle supply chain in Tocantins. For the development of this study, we used a case study as a methodological approach, and historical research based on literature review. This research presents a TQM Total Quality Management approach, which enabled display SCM (Supply Chain Management) in beef processing of Tocantins. The study was based on qualitative methodology and started with exploratory research and bibliographical review of the literature, using the CAPES portal. Subsequently, the data of the literature review were analyzed in order to identify the technical dimensions, technological and quality certifications in food production systems. From the identification of the main constructs, a pilot questionnaire was prepared which was submitted to three experts for validation and, after some adjustments, was used in the processing. The survey results were gathered and analyzed in the light of literature. Then the proposals were initiated, bringing contributions and suggestions for implementing improvements in the beef processing in Tocantins, as well as suggestions for future research on Quality Management System in the beef supply chain. The adoption of QMS, and a tool that brings control and standardization of processes allowing measurement of the effectiveness of actions taken, focusing on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement of processes, produces a differential to meat processors in the market, and constitute a practice in beef processing of the Tocantins state. This represents a major competitive advantage needed in the process of improving a company.

The issue of food traceability is one that affects a great number of sectors and policy areas. Within the EU, there is increasing demand from consumers, businesses and institutions to have more direct access to information about how food is produced, transformed, and distributed. Currently, however, practices in the industry are very much open to human error. Databases are highly vulnerable to inaccuracies and hacking, as well as deliberate faults caused by corruption or fraudulent conduct. With food traceability being so closely related to trade and public health issues, there is arguably increasing incentive for the EU to seek alternative tools to increase transparency and accountability throughout supply chains. Consequently, this paper will examine a possible alternative to current practices by evaluating the applicability of 'blockchain' technology, namely a system of digitised, decentralised ledgers, which could allow key stakeholders to access information about the provenance of food immediately, comprehensively and securely. The analysis will focus specifically on Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), one of the most adulterated products in the food industry, identifying gaps and opportunities in current traceability systems. The research question tackled in this paper, therefore, may be formulated as follows: how and to what extent could blockchain technology constitute a sustainable solution for improving the traceability of EVOO within the EU? The paper begins with a brief overview of the issue and an explanation of the research methodology used, followed by an elaboration of key terms and concepts and a detailed explanation of the principles underlying blockchain technology. Subsequently, the key challenges and opportunities associated with blockchain-based traceability systems are examined through a case study, followed by an analysis aimed at assessing the sustainability of blockchain solutions for the EVOO sector. The conclusion, lastly, provides an overview of relevant findings and proposes a final assessment.

Il presente studio affronta il tema della rintracciabilità alimentare di prodotti agroalimentari, analizzando il caso del pomodoro da industria, cercando di trovare degli indicatori chimici (markers) che siano in grado di discriminare prodotti provenienti da aree geografiche differenti. Viene quindi affrontato il tema della tipicità che consiste nel legame esistente tra l'alimento e il territorio nel quale viene prodotto. I parametri chimici che vengono indagati sono elementi appartenenti al gruppo delle terre rare (o serie dei lantanidi) e dei rapporti isotopici degli elementi pesanti quali lo Stronzio. La determinazione analitica delle terre rare nel pomodoro è stata effettuata con ICP-MS e HR-ICP-MS (Inductivity Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Hight Resolution Inductivity Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). I rapporti isotopici dello Stronzio sono stati determinati con la tecnica TIMS (Thermal-Ionization Mass Spectroscopy) Le tecniche analitiche utilizzate hanno permesso di determinare con precisione e accuratezza tutti gli elementi appartenenti al gruppo delle terre rare nei comparti della pianta di pomodoro e nel terreno. La misura dei rapporti isotopici dello stronzio ha permesso di discriminare prodotti provenienti da aree geografiche differenti. / Food traceability systems have a broader scope and aim to document the history of a product along the entire production chain from primary raw materials to the final consumable product. the present work has looked at ways of detecting rare earth and strontium isotope abundance ratios. It is fundamental to have knowledge of the REE concentrations of the soil where the plants are grown and the distribution of the REEs in the different parts of the plants: roots, stems, leaves, and berries. Tomato is one of the most widely grown vegetables in the world. The analytical procedure, using inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and HR-ICP-MS proved to be suitable for the determination of REEs in plants and soil, and was validated using certified samples. Strontium isotope ratio is an important parameter allowing the discrimination of foods coming from different geographical origins. Very high precision is usually reached with Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS). The analytical techniques have permitted to determine all REEs elements in compartments of tomato plants. The described method point out the measurement of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio as a very important parameter for the discrimination of tomato from different geographical origins, even if the present experimental work treating a limited number of samples have to be considered as a “first step”.

Qualità e sicurezza degli alimenti, inclusa la loro tracciabilità ed autenticità, è diventato ngli ultimi anni obiettivo primario per la salute e il benessere dei consumatori. Il progetto è diretto allo sviluppo e applicazione di metodiche DNA-based per la tracciabilità di specie vegetali, varietà di frumento duro e microorganismi a difesa della qualita’, salubrita’ ed autenticità della filiera grano e prodotti processati. Le attività progettuali dello studio sono finanziate da industria (Barilla S.P.A.) con il coinvolgimento di enti pubblici di ricerca (Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore Di Piacenza, CREA-GB di Fiorenzuola D’arda). Il progetto si articola in tre argomenti principali: WP1.Tracciabilità di specie vegetali nella filiera pasta. Tracciabilità di varietà di frumento duro nella filiera pasta A questo scopo sono state intraprese nel secondo anno di attività due azioni dirette allo sviluppo e validazione di due diverse metodiche di fingerprinting varietale. Partendo dalle direttive UPOV in materia di impiego di marcatori molecolari per la caratterizzazione varietale è stata applicata e validata su di un pool di 26 varietà di interesse per l’industria un’ analisi basata su di una combinazione di marcatori SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) che ha consentito di identificare in maniera univoca ciascuna delle varietà in esame. Il saggio è stato trasferito ai laboratori dell’industria che lo applica attualmente nella routine per il controllo di partite di granella. A fronte della robustezza dell’analisi SSR si pongono però i lunghi tempi analitici. Per ottimizzare questo aspetto si è completata un’attività di sequenziamento parziale del genoma di 28 varietà presenti in due repliche biologiche (52 campioni) e 12 mix di DNA di due varietà (4 differenti percentuali per ogni coppia di varietà miscelate). I dati ottenuti hanno fornito circa 15.000 marcatori molecolari DArT-seq (Diversity Array Technology ) e SNP (Simple Nucleotide Polimorphisms). Dall’intero set di marcatori è stato quindi individuato, attraverso una procedura bioinformatica, un set ridotto di marcatori ad alta informatività in grado di identificare univocamente le singole varietà e di predire la presenza di altre varietà in miscela e la percentuale di contaminazione. WP2.Tracciabilità Di Microrganismi Fungini Nella Filiera Pasta Questo studio è volto al controllo e identificazione di specie microbiche patogene che possono svilupparsi lungo la filiera grano con conseguente impatto negativo sulla salubrità di granella, di semole e dei prodotti finiti. A questo scopo sono stati prodotti campioni di granella a contaminazione controllata. Si è costituita attraverso l’analisi delle sequenze Barcode una ceppoteca che comprende i maggiori patogeni fungini che possono contaminare la granella durante la crescita della pianta in campo o durante lo stoccaggio della granella. Dopo l’inoculo artificiale dei singoli ceppi in due varietà di frumento duro, sono stati raccolti, a tempi crescenti, campioni di spighe e granella. La metodica è risultata rapida e sensibile nell’identificazione di DNA fungino fin dalle prime fasi dell’infezione, quando i sintomi della malattia risultavano ancora non ancora visibili. Le informazioni di sequenza Barcoding, in prospettiva, potranno essere utilizzate per sviluppare nuovi metodi di identificazione fungina più sensibili e rapidi. WP3. Identificazione molecolare di microrganismi vivi o morti in pesto L’obiettivo di questo lavoro è stato quello di sviluppare metodiche di V-qPCR (Viability-PCR), per permettere l’identificazione, quantificazione e discriminazione cellule microbiche vive o morte in alimentiprocessati, come il pesto. Per lo studio è stato scelto il batterio patogeno B.cereus, microrganismo ubiquitario, patogeno e sporigeno di difficile identificazione soprattutto in matrici complesse. Durante questo lavoro è stato sviluppato un protocollo analitico che prevede l’estrazione del DNA batterico da pesto, matrice interferente e complessa. Parte del lavoro è stata svolta presso l’Istituto di Microbiologia dell’Università Cattolica e l’Istituto IATA CSIC Institut d’Agroquímica i Tecnologia dels Aliments in Valencia. / Food quality and safety, including food traceability and authenticity, have become crucial in the last decades. Today, molecular and genetic progress can support the agri-food industry, due to the improvement of new analytical tools. Among the available applications, DNA-based methods can detect the presence of a particular species or variety along the food supply chain, verify the genetic identity of food and feed ingredients and detecting the presence of contaminating organisms, thus becoming an essential tool to study patterns, causes, and risk factors of diseases and outbreaks. As a consequence, genetic analysis has become increasingly popular even among non-specialists and highly beneficial for consumers, agricultural farmers, governments, and the private sector (Reid, O’Donnell, and Downey 2006). In this framework, the research developed in this thesis arises by active collaboration between the private company Barilla G. & R. Fratelli S.p.A., the public research institute CREA-GB (Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell Economia Agraria) and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, to develop a set of DNA-based methods to improve the traceability and authenticity of plant and microbial species and durum wheat varieties applicable from farm to fork. Following these aims, the research developed in this thesis includes: 1. The optimization and validation of qPCR assay for the discrimination of plant species along the pasta production chain through the organization of a ring test involving nine Italian public and private laboratories. The results obtained in this study were published in the Journal of Cereal Science (Chapter 2); 2. The discrimination of durum wheat varieties by selecting SSRs and DarT molecular markers as reliable methods for variety fingerprinting (Chapter 3). The results confirm the sensitivity of the method and the feasibility to 7 protect the food industry from fraud and ensure the consumer a certified pasta quality; 3. The application of the Barcoding technique and the development of qPCR assay for the identification and quantification of field fungi (Fusarium, Alternaria, Michrodochium, Cochliobolus spp.) and saprophytic fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus spp) along the wheat chain (Chapter 3). The sensitivity of the method was investigated by inoculating potted durum wheat plants at full anthesis and wheat kernels (pre and postharvest trials). The DNA-based methods demonstrate a key role in pathogen detection and the application in several points of the wheat chain (e.g., for control of both locally and imported grains, for storage lots, to evaluate the environmental risk associated with grain powder for farmers and workers); 4. The optimization of Viability q-PCR (V-qPCR) for the discrimination of dead and alive Bacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacteria (Chapter 4). The results of PMAxx, combined with qPCR, have demonstrated the selective discrimination of B.cereus viable cells, with no false-positive signals determined by dead cells, a peculiar aspect of thermally treated food; 5. The comparison of two DNA extraction kits (FastDNA® SPIN Kit for Soil – MB and NucleoSpin Tissue - Macherey Nagel) by detecting B.cereus spores in basil pesto sauce, selected as a model food matrix. Despite the limit of detection (LOD) achieved (respectively 1.8x102 spores/gr by using Fast DNA TM SPIN and 2.7 x 105 spores/gr by using NucleoSpin®), the principal challenge remains the spores' DNA extraction from the complex matrix. Lastly, the results obtained during the doctoral research project were globally discussed (Chapter 5).

The purpose of our research is to empirically test how system attributes of blockchain build trust through system and information components in blockchain food traceability systems. Findings showed that system attributes of blockchain are strong predictors of trust leading to intention to purchase. A sample of 358 responses were collected from college students through online survey. SmartPLS 3.0 is adopted for data analysis. We made contributions by building a new research model to guide future studies on trust formation in blockchain based systems as well as informing practice to adopt proven features of blockchain to create and capture values for customers.