FAIR principles and metrological approaches for food integrity: data accuracy, availability, and privacy in the supply chain

Metrology in this digital era continues to support the implementation of new methods, technologies, and standards. Reliable and precise measurements and data are critical for ensuring food integrity along the food supply chain. On the other hand, access to data according to the FAIR data principles allows statistics to be obtained on all stages of the food supply chain (primary production, processing, distribution, and storage). This is essential to creating a more sustainable and resilient food system and to enable policymakers to make informed decisions. In the global food production landscape, the lack of standardization makes harmonizing food production statistics difficult, while restricted data availability, lack of transparency, and data privacy issues, further complicate challenges of accessibility and interoperability. Emerging digital technologies, such as satellite remote sensing, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, real-time monitoring systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, offer new opportunities for improving data collection, processing, and predictive models. Their deployment also introduces new ethical, legal, and social dilemmas, particularly regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and governance policies. Furthermore, the exchange and integration of food production data between countries and institutions are frequently delayed by heterogeneous regulatory frameworks, incompatible platforms, and inconsistent data governance protocols. This complexity is further exacerbated by fragmented data ownership, inconsistent data privacy protocols, and limited international coordination. Successfully addressing all these challenges of the agrifood supply chain with a metrological approach, supported by structured data sharing mechanisms and appropriate policies, will represent a fundamental step towards realizing the full potential of food systems for the achievement of sustainability and resilience goals. To overcome these barriers, collaborative international efforts are needed, aimed at establishing unified standards and protocols that promote data sharing while respecting privacy concerns. This can be achieved by fostering partnerships between governments, industry stakeholders, and research institutions. The implementation of these best practices in data governance, through the integration of metrological principles with cutting-edge technology, can pave the way for a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable global food supply chain. Acknowledgment: This work has been supported by the DRG4FOOD project, funded by the European Union (GA No. 101086523) and the METROFOOD-EPI project, funded by the European Union (GA No. 101130162).