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Nature’s Barcode: DNA as a Powerful Tool for a Trusted Food Supply
It’s been an incredible few days at this year’s Global Food Safety Initiative Conference (GFSI) in Dublin. I’ve been inspired after speaking at this conference and to have been part of conversations, discussions and a shared commitment to build a more resilient and trusted food supply. We have an amazing opportunity to meet that need with science, innovation and collaboration.
While traceability is an established criteria in global food safety management systems, its value extends beyond compliance. Looking at meat specifically, 88 percent of Europeans want full traceability in meat production [1], and today’s conscious consumers are looking for real, verifiable information about their food. It’s about trust.
Technologies, such as the DNA TraceBack® platform, are fostering transparency within the meat and seafood industry, using science to cut through the complexity of supply chains and provide traceability from farm to fork. Platforms like these provide verifiable information for producers, processors and retailers to answer the questions consumers have about their food origin. Ultimately, it’s about doing better business in a way that benefits everyone in the value chain.
Irish Pork Origin, Science in Action
During one of the conference sessions, I emphasized how technology and science has been deployed on Irish shores to support transparency in the meat industry and enhance trust in domestic product. Today 9 in 10 Irish consumers choose to buy locally produced food [2].
When I first joined our DNA TraceBack team, our national pork program in Ireland was one of our company’s key initiatives. In partnership with Irish producers, we introduced a national scheme to verify Irish origin of pork products and help enhance consumer confidence in domestic product. The initiative continues to deliver for Irish producers, with impact on farmgate prices, delivering approximately 10c/kg to producers.
77 percent of Irish households include pork in their shop[3]. I enjoyed sharing how our partnership with retailers and brands, who adopted DNA TraceBack in their pork supply chains, has helped reinforce their commitment to quality Irish product and deliver assurance to their consumers. It’s proof that the application of science in meat and seafood supply chains can deliver insights that strengthen trust and support the industry across the value chain
Moving Forward: Collaboration is Key
What struck me most at GFSI 2025 was the collective drive to keep improving, innovating and building trust in our food supply. With the technology we have today, we’re in an incredible position to work together to strengthen our food supply chain in ways that benefit everyone—from farmers to consumers. The big question is: who will step up and lead the way?
Reflecting on the conference this year, I’m feeling excited and motivated by the leadership and progress I’ve seen. This is a journey we’re all on together, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.
[¹] Special Eurobarometer 440 – “Attitudes of Europeans towards Animal Welfare” by European Commission in March 2016.
[2] Survey by The Foundation, quoted in The Neighbourhood Retail “More Irish shoppers choosing local food and drink since pandemic”, September 2021.
[3] Kantar, quoted in Agriland “Meat purchased by 98% Irish households”, September 2023
