Matforsk in Ås is a private, non-profit RTD-institute own by the food industry with focus on food research. We are financed by a research levy from the industry, public funding and contract work, and owned by the Agricultural Food Research Foundation. Matforsk was established in 1970, has 150 employees, and is located at Ås, Norway. Matforsk focuses its research and development activities on all aspects of the value chain – from raw materials to packaging and consumer behaviour. We have extensive national and interna­tional collaborative research networks, and develop­ment contracts with food industry. The institute has a special focus on knowledge transfer to SMEs. The core knowledge offered to our customers is closely related to Matforsk’s research strategies: Optimal utilisation of raw material; Maintaining shelf life and controlling risk factors in food; Food for health; Rapid access to product and process information, and Modelling and understanding consumer and product information. The institute has a strong research environment on development and application of microbial diagnostic and tracing methods.  The research activities in BIOTRACE will be connected to ongoing activities at Matforsk. (Knut Rudi)