Detection of NGT products to promote innovation in Europe

DETECTIVE will develop and validate approaches to detect, identify, and quantify plant and animal products resulting from new genomic techniques (NGTs). NGT products are currently regulated as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the EU.

This means that they are subject to authorisation procedures, which include event-specific methods for detection, identification, and quantification of the corresponding food and feed products.

However, the analytical methods commonly used for transgenic GMOs are often not suitable for NGT products as these often do not contain genetic elements that allow unambiguous traceability.

DETECTIVE will investigate the technical forefront for detection including the latest PCR-based and sequencing approaches for NGT products with known and unknown genetic alterations, and validate these in national enforcement laboratories. We will build a cluster of databases to enable Machine Learning-based screening.

While technical detection may be limited, DETECTIVE will also look into non-technical approaches to traceability and authenticity to develop comprehensive solutions, including their respective economic and legal implications, to a wide range of NGT products.

By taking a systemic and holistic approach, DETECTIVE will identify the boundary conditions that traceability approaches need to meet.

The results will promote NGT research and innovation (R&I) that enable a resilient primary production (agriculture and animal husbandry) of highly nutritional food products and thereby contribute to a sustainable, healthy and inclusive food system in Europe that enables choice for both producers and consumers.

DETECTIVE is a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral consortium and its links to relevant stakeholders through a Stakeholder Advisory Board will enable an improved understanding and awareness of the challenges related to traceability, authenticity and transparency of NGT-derived products.