Start of Belgian innovation project Q-DNA

The control and monitoring of food safety is once again at the top of the agenda of Belgian food companies more than ever. Q-DNA, a new innovation project in collaboration with UGent, Flanders' FOOD, (Wagralim), Fevia and Alimento, is a three-year project for Belgian food companies aimed at a preventive approach to significantly increase the food safety status of companies by focusing on technology and labour organisation.

A well-functioning food safety system with validated technological intervention steps (module 1), combined with a well thought-out control strategy embedded in an overall food safety culture (module 2) is the best guarantee to proactively guarantee food safety.

Technology

Process validation methods are being developed to ensure that the actual production process and the technology used sufficiently reduces food safety risks and that the company produces safe and high-quality food (process validation).

Labour organisation

Developing management tools to create a positive food safety culture within all layers and departments of the company (food safety culture).

The project consortium prefers to focus on microbial food safety because it is strongly linked to the company-specific culture, applied technology, products and processes and infrastructure. However, it goes without saying that a positive food safety culture has an impact on the overall food safety status.

flandersfood.com