EVO-NFC: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Traceability Using NFC Suitable for Small-Medium Farms

Abstract

Food traceability is a fundamental requirement for the agriculture of the future. A food traceability system should ensure food safety and quality control, allow authentication, fraud prevention and control by the authority, improve consumers' safety and confidence. The agri-food supply chain is complex and difficult to handle due to the presence of various stakeholders and control authorities. Consequently, the complexity and the cost of traceability systems make it inapplicable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This work defines of a food traceability system using existing low cost digital technologies with the possibility to be integrated into a database for public authority controls. Smartphone applications allow consumer involvement and a bidirectional interaction between the company and the consumer. This work proposes the use of smartphone with NFC technology in every phase of the food chain bringing the information to the final consumer. An advantage of the proposed system is the low cost and easy to use, allowing its diffusion in small and micro farms, regional typical products, bio productions. The applications developed and the database architecture have been customized to the extra virgin olive oil process. Final considerations evidence the economic advantage of the traceability system.