INNOPOM Project

The project stems from the need to respond to the European Commission’s Recommendation 2022/553, which defines the maximum alternariol levels in processed tomato products. Since horticultural crops have not been involved in managing mycotoxins, the farms lack information and effective strategies to control them. It is therefore necessary to identify the best practices to be adopted in the field to reduce contamination by alternariol in tomatoes, while protecting the quality of the Italian product.

The main objective of the project is to identify the most critical points in the tomato chain with respect to alternariol contamination and to define effective measures to reduce it within the levels indicated by the European Recommendation EU 2022/553. The actions focus mainly on the production phase in the field, analysing the effect of weather conditions, the sensitivity of the most common tomato varieties, and the agronomic practices adopted, including innovative techniques such as the use of drones. The processing stage is also considered, evaluating how the selection and the various technological steps affect the presence of mycotoxins in final products such as sauces, purées, and concentrates.

Research partner

• AS.I.P.O. Soc.Coop.Agr. – Lead company
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore [Catholic University of the Sacred Heart]
• CITIMAP scarl
• “Vittorio Tadini” Training, Experimentation and Innovation Centre

• Agricola Bosco di Stefano and Marina Società Agricola – Simple Partnership;
• Arata Pierluigi – Sole proprietorship;
• Bosco Gregorio – Sole proprietorship;
• Gallinella Società Agricola – Simple Partnership;
• Mantovani Mattia – Sole proprietorship;
• Menozzi Antonio Angelo Enrico Società Agricola – Simple Partnership;
• Milani Rodolfo – Sole proprietorship;
• Stefano Morlacchini – Sole proprietorship.
• Scrocchi Nicola – Sole proprietorship;
• Società Agricola Bertozzi Enzo Ivano e Gianni – Simple Partnership;
• Società Agricola Martini di Martini Christian e Achille – Simple Partnership;
• Terre della Val Trebbia di Repetti Fratelli Società Agricola – Simple Partnership;
• Greci Industria Alimentare S.p.A.;
• Rodolfi Mansueto S.p.a.

• PROJECT ORGANISATIONAL MANAGER: Arata Pierluigi
• SCIENTIFIC PROJECT MANAGER: Bertuzzi Terenzio

36 months (01/11/2024 – 31/10/2027)

• Total cost of the approved Plan: € 361,529.79
• Total CO-PSR contribution approved: € 327,387.32