Food Research Ireland - Department of Agriculture

4.5.1 KEY INVESTMENT AREA - FOOD CHAIN INTEGRITY
A key issue in terms of food chain integrity is to support Ireland’s food
industry to operate to the highest international standards in terms of
sustainable production. Research is required to provide industry with the
essential knowledge with which to maintain the quality and safety of
food throughout the food supply chain – many of the research objectives
in relation to food safety are addressed in Thematic Area 4.6. Research
in this area must involve the production aspects of the food supply chain.
Research Objectives:
■ Develop strategies for improving productions systems, packaging
systems, maintenance of the cold chain and implementation of
statistical process control at key points in the process chain to ensure
integrity within the food supply chain;
■ Development of smart sensor systems that allow safety and quality
of foods to be monitored in real time and in a cost competitive fashion
throughout the food supply chain;
■ Improve food production systems through the application of
Life cycle analysis methodology;
■ Valorisation of by-products from the food processing industry;
■ Development of risk assessment models for marine foods;
■ Research on waste reduction with a particular focus on (i) Biological
Oxygen Demand (BOD) reduction to minimize effluent treatment
costs and (ii) water use reduction and water recycling.
4.5.2 KEY INVESTMENT AREA - FOOD CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY
An important strategic theme emerging in consumer consciousness is
that of environmental sustainability. This primarily incorporates
environmental concerns but also reflects growing interest in issues of
simplicity, authenticity, heritage and animal welfare. Therefore, product
offerings that capitalise on these trends must be credible and proven. In
addition, coping with the projected increase in world population and the
associated demand for food, requires major improvements in food
production efficiency. The ability of Ireland’s food industry to realise the
growth potential as outlined by Food Harvest 2020, is dependent on it
being able to achieve increases in primary production and food
production output, with regard for environmental, nutritional, economic
and social objectives. Realising the vision of Food Harvest 2020 requires
research that helps industry to address the many challenges associated
with making optimal use of raw materials, water, energy and other
resources, while maintaining rigorous food quality and food safety
standards that meet consumer and legislative requirements. Similar to
food chain integrity, research in relation to food sustainability must
involve the production aspects of the food supply chain.
Research Objectives:
■ Development of indicators of environmental quality for food
products;
■ Development of a life cycle analysis methodology for the food
sector;
■ Development of metrics of sustainability for food products;
■ Traceability within the food chain with respect to by-products /
waste of the food processing industry being used to support
production.
Food Research Ireland
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