As part of the EIT’s Crisis Response Initiative, this activity directly contributes to the European Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Enabling safe and healthy food choices

Promoting healthy choices

The covid-19 pandemic have forced many consumers to resource to online shopping to minimize the risk of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the absence of advice from retailers staff and the limited information provided in the online shops, selecting healthy options becomes more challenging. This is even more critical for the most vulnerable consumers (e.g. elderly, diabetics, celiac and allergic patients). The availability of tools to overcome these limitations will enable consumers to choose safer and healthier products.

Ensuring food safety from production to home delivery

Food safety has always been the concern of food manufacturers and retailers. Since the covid-19 pandemic, consumers have become more aware of safety practices. In times like this, it is essential that additional measures are in place to safeguard the health of food operators during food handling and home delivery. Communicating these additional safety measures to consumers will improve trust in the food supply.

How we will make it work

Analytical Device

A device based on DNA technology will allow rapid on-site testing of staff for SARS-CoV-2. Isothermal amplification will allow obtaining results faster than conventional PCR methods.

Application

It will allow consumer to set user-specific profiles for dietary requirements (e.g. food allergies), to receive recommendation for product selection and will allow to trace food boxes back to the source of an incident.

Food Box

Retailers will deliver fully traceable boxes packaged safely by staff negative for SARS-CoV-2, who specially check for dietary requirements set in the customer profile.