Food fraud could be uncovered more easily in the future, thanks to a team of researchers from Italy’s IIT (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia), who have developed a low-cost genetic test for this purpose.
Italian news agency ANSA reports that the group, led by nanobiologist Pier Paolo Pompa, has developed a simplified test called NanoTracer, which is able to genetically track food.
Using this technique, the team can identify the genetic ‘bar code’ of particular products, and provide - in less than three hours, a colourimetric result, easily legible with naked eye.
Easily Recognisable
Paola Valentini, a researcher working with the team, said that using the system, it is easy to “recognise good food from bad, thanks to the legibility of this instrument.”
Each test costs about €10 to perform, using basic equipment. making it an affordable alternatively to other tests on the market. This is why the technology has been investigated by a number of leading firms, and could be launched formally in a few years.
The IIT team is also developing a startup that facilities real-time genetic testing.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Francesca Volpe. Click subscribe to sign up for ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
