During the 6th International Conference in Electronic Engineering and Information Technology (EEITE 2025), WATSON held a dedicated workshop to outline how innovative technologies are advancing the traceability and authenticity of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
The workshop, hosted by our partner BioCoS, took place on June 5th, 2025, at the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Chania (Greece), and brought together technology experts, researchers and pilot partners working to secure the integrity of high-value agri-food products.
Technologies that build transparency
The workshop opened with a project overview by Watson coordinator, Prof. Dimitris Argyropoulos (University College Dublin), followed by our partner Dr. Stelios Arhondakis (BioCoS), who introduced the EVOO pilot scenarios being tested under our project.
The core of the workshop featured a series of concise, technology-focused presentations:
Dr. Antonios Kioukis (SYNELIXIS) presented advances in interoperability across the olive oil supply chain, which is essential for connecting data sources and ensuring streamlined traceability.
Dr. Nikoleta Tsampanaki (Netcompany) showcased the blockchain infrastructure and the Digital Food Product Passport being deployed in the Watson EVOO pilot to ensure secure, transparent and consumer-accessible product information.
Dr. Giorgos Klados (UBITECH) introduced Watson’s Early Warning System, which uses intelligent analytics to identify irregularities and potential risks in the EVOO supply chain before they escalate.
Dr. Stelios Arhondakis returned to demonstrate the value of DNA-based traceability for olive oil authentication, discussing the benefits for quality control and future opportunities for the industry.
Sharing insights and feedback on next-gen traceability tools
The session concluded with a discussion and feedback segment, allowing participants to reflect on the presented technologies and their implications for stakeholders across the EVOO supply chain, from farmers and millers to regulators and consumers.
By combining genetic tools, blockchain systems and predictive digital technologies, Watson is developing a holistic framework that helps ensure EVOO authenticity and integrity in real-time.
The Watson solutions explored in the workshop are designed to be not only advanced but also accessible, enabling public authorities and food quality bodies to take a proactive role in safeguarding the olive oil market.
The EVOO use case is one of six pilots under Watson, all aiming to tackle traceability and transparency challenges across different agri-food sectors.