Archived News Article

28/08/2009
ASSET (Assured, SafE and Traceable)

Queens University, Belfast are pleased to announce the launch of their new Centre for ASsured, SafE and Traceable food (ASSET). 

ASSET is a Research Centre within the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use that is based in three Schools - the School of Biological Sciences; the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPACE) and Queen's University Management School.

ASSET's Vision:

• A food supply chain which is safe, transparent, rapidly traceable and sustainable;
  
• Innovative, state-of-the-art scientific techniques that will create a niche food forensic strength to develop a new dimension in animal and human health, food safety monitoring and traceability;
  
• A major All Island research centre that brings together four key research groups on the Island.

The aim of the ASSET Project is to forge links with Institutions North and South of Ireland which will work towards improving animal health, improving safety of meat and milk, and delivering new and innovative ways of produce traceability.  Another important aspect of the Project is consideration of the consumers perspective towards what they want to eat and how much they are willing to pay for a safer, trace-assured product. 

There are four strands within the Research Project:

• Sensor Technology to Improve Food Safety; 
• Proteomics Research towards Improved Animal Health, Food Assurance and Traceability;
• Spectroscopic and Isotopic Fingerprinting towards Improved Traceability;
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics

By interweaving the four strands, ASSET hopes to provide Industry and the consumer with Assured, Safe and Traceable food.

This Project is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning through its "Strengthening the all-Island Research Base" initiative.

For more information please visit: http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/ASSET/

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