The transition toward sustainable food systems requires innovation and coherent policy frameworks supported by sound scientific advice. In response to this need, the FutureFoodS Partnership is launching a new series of workshops to enhance the interaction between researchers and policymakers across Europe.
The first workshop will be held online on Friday, 23 May 2025, from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST. It will bring together experts, civil servants, and science advisors to co-develop better practices for delivering research-based advice to support effective and integrated food policies at national, regional, and local levels.
Goals:
🔹 Exchange experiences and ideas among those producing, translating, or using research-based advice in policy development 🔹 Improve science-policy interfaces in complex areas related to food systems 🔹 Discuss challenges and opportunities for adopting a food systems approach in policy frameworks 🔹 Explore European collaboration opportunities for delivering more impactful, research-based advice
This interactive webinar will include keynote contributions and peer-to-peer discussions to promote co-creation and the exchange of practical experiences. The insights gathered will help lay the foundation for future trans-European collaboration and contribute to the development of effective science-policy interfaces that support sustainability goals in the agri-food sector.
Participation is open to researchers and civil servants who work at the science-policy interface in food-related fields.
This year’s World Food Safety Day theme has been officially announced: “Food safety: science in action.” This theme highlights the crucial role of science in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of food safety guidance used by governments, businesses, and consumers worldwide.
The EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM is organising a multi-actor initiative by gathering members’ contributions to celebrate this year’s theme! Webinars, infographics, digital cards and other contributions from our members will address the World Food Safety Day Key Messages during the week of 2-7 June 2025! Look at the contributions selected from our call launched in March 2025 here!
>> We will publish the programme soon!
The third edition of the EU Food Safety Forum will be held on December 2-3, 2025, at the CNR headquarters in Rome and will mark a new milestone for the EU Food Safety Platform journey. The formula of the Forum will be applied again to improve and feed the connection among policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and young innovators to collaborate on enhancing the EU’s food safety landscape through innovation and multi-stakeholder engagement​.
This year, a new session will be introduced, as proposed by our member Michele Suman from Barilla during the Management Board meeting. It will consist of a dedicated session for addresses and key messages arising from the multi-actor dialogue, to be shaped and conducted by the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM Steering Committee.
The EU Food Safety Forum will include the following sessions:
Science-Policy-Society Session: this session will address the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to food safety, facilitating discussions among institutions and experts on how to prepare for the future.
Co-creation Session: participants will contribute to the ongoing update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), ensuring it remains aligned with emerging challenges and opportunities.
Networking Session: attendees will have the opportunity to explore results and best practices from current EU projects, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the food safety community.
Young Researchers and Innovators Session: this dedicated space will empower the next generation of researchers, providing them with a stage to present fresh ideas and innovative solutions to food safety challenges.
The Forum provides a unique place for experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and set a strategic direction for the evolving landscape of food safety in Europe.
Join us in Rome to be part of this relevant dialogue and help shape the future of food safety in the EU!
EUROFOODCHEM XXIII will take place from June 11 to 13, 2025, in Bratislava, Slovakia. Organized by the Slovak Chemical Society, the National Agricultural and Food Centre, and the Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology of the Slovak University of Technology, this prestigious event is the profile congress of the Division of Food Chemistry of the European Chemical Society.
The conference will feature top food chemistry and technology experts, providing a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. The conference will offer: 🔹 Plenary talks from leading researchers, including:
Prof. Vincenzo Fogliano (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
Prof. Vural Gökmen (Hacettepe University, Türkiye)
Prof. Michael Murkovic (Graz University of Technology, Austria)
Prof. Manuel A. Coimbra (University of Aveiro, Portugal)
🔹 Opportunities to present research through oral and poster sessions 🔹 Dedicated networking sessions to foster collaboration 🔹 New project presentation sessions aimed at building partnerships
Key Deadlines:
đź“Ś Oral Abstract Submission: February 21, 2025 đź“Ś Poster Abstract Submission: March 21, 2025 đź“Ś Early Registration: April 20, 2025 đź“Ś Regular Registration: June 1, 2025
Connecting Food Security, Safety, Health, and Sustainability – Challenges Ahead
The 2nd GHI World Congress is set to take place from 25-27 June 2025 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This event, which can be attended both in person and online, will gather a distinguished lineup of plenary and keynote speakers to engage in crucial discussions and debates about the future of food systems. The Congress will address pressing issues surrounding food security, safety, health, and sustainability, aiming to explore innovative solutions to these global challenges.
Key Topics:
Food Security and Safety
Health and Nutrition
Sustainability in Food Systems
Sensory and Consumer Insights
Future Foods and Innovations
Artificial Intelligence in Food Systems
Food Law, Policy, and Regulations
Info:
Date: 25-27 June 2025
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands (In-person and online participation)
Innovation in Research and Education for the Transition to Sustainable Food Systems
The International ISEKI-Food Conference 2025 will take place from July 2nd to 4th, 2025, in the vibrant city of TimiĹźoara, Romania. Hosted by the University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I,” this year’s conference, themed “Innovation in Research and Education for the Transition to Sustainable Food Systems,” will be a platform for global experts to discuss pioneering advancements in the agri-food sector.
This 8th edition of the ISEKI-Food Conference will provide opportunities for oral and poster presentations across three major topics, aiming to foster discussions and collaborations toward more sustainable food systems.
Key Dates to Remember:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 31 January 2025
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 1 April 2025
Early Bird Registration Closing: 15 April 2025 (payment to be completed by 30 April)
Online Registration Closing: 1 June 2025
Abstract Submission Procedure:
Participants are encouraged to carefully review the abstract submission guidelines available on the conference website. The process is straightforward:
Submit your Abstract according to the provided guidelines.
Take advantage of the Early Bird fee by registering before April 15th.
This event is an excellent opportunity for researchers, educators, and industry professionals to share knowledge, explore innovations, and contribute to the global transition towards sustainable food systems.
FOODPathS Festival: Building Tomorrow’s Sustainable Food Systems Together
The FOODPathS Festival is an exciting and dynamic event designed to bring together key stakeholders from the public, private, philanthropic, and academic sectors and their networks, from local to global levels. This festival will serve as a platform to highlight inclusive partnerships and co-develop a prototype for an ideal Partnership on Sustainable Food Systems, a vision developed by FOODPathS.
At the heart of the festival, participants will collaboratively explore and address critical questions such as:
What research and innovation themes should be prioritized by such a partnership?
How should the partnership operate regarding governance, funding, co-creation, communication, and networking?
Where and when should it function to ensure tangible results across diverse actors and scales?
How can “mirroring” measures be implemented to ensure inclusivity and that every voice is heard?
Should this be a single partnership or a network of interconnected alliances, similar to a flock of birds navigating challenges together?
Through interactive sessions and valuable input from all involved, the festival will work towards exploring these themes, generating creative insights and actionable ideas to shape the future of sustainable food systems.
The second edition of the EU Food Safety Forum, held on December 2-3, 2024, at the CNR headquarters in Rome, marked another significant milestone for the EU Food Safety Platform. Introduced by Antonio Moretti and Veronica Lattanziofrom CNR ISPA, the Forum gathered about 100 policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and young innovators to collaborate on enhancing the EU’s food safety landscape through innovation and multi-stakeholder engagement​.
Science-Policy-Society Synergy
The opening session focused on integrating scientific research with policymaking and societal needs. This approach emphasized a holistic strategy, ensuring food safety initiatives align with public health priorities and evolving consumer expectations​. After thanking our institutional guests for their valuable contributions and availibility to cooperate with the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM, we heard their key messages by: Michele Picaro, Member of the European Parliament and ENVI, Antonio Decaro, President of ENVI and Member of the European Parliament, Giovanni Leonardi from the Italian Ministry of Health, Stef Bronzwaer from EFSA, and Lamia Somai from INSSPA, the Tunisian Food Safety Authority.
Updating the SRIA: A Multi-Stakeholder Vision
The session titled “Updating the SRIA: A Multi-Stakeholder Vision” brought together diverse perspectives to shape the future of food safety research and innovation. This session featured the work of the European Partnership on Sustainable Future of Food Systems, with an insightful presentation by Claude Yven, coordinator of the FutureFoodS Partnership (ANR, France). The discussion focused on aligning efforts to ensure resilient, sustainable, and safe food systems across Europe. The session provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on how collaborative efforts and cutting-edge research have already begun transforming food systems, equipping them to meet future challenges, by exploring relevant topics and research directions from EU projects and addressing the question: How are EU projects driving innovation and boosting food safety in European food systems?
This critical discussion showcased how science, policy, and innovation converge to define priorities for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
Future-Oriented Co-Creation
A co-creation session, led by EU Food Safety Platform experts Nastasia Belc (IBA Bucharest) and Pieternel Luning (WUR), focused on updating the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) to address emerging challenges. Stakeholders, working in 4 sub-groups, contributed insights on biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and ethical considerations in food safety, paving the way for forward-thinking strategies, by co-designing pathways and ideas for further projects.​
Cooperation space
The EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM provided space for cooperation in the future, defining the wide framework including infrastructures, networks and innovation players. The European Research infrastructures presentations provided an overview of resources and services offered by MIRRI, METROFOOD-RI, and EUROFIR, together with the networks GHI – Global Harmonization Initiative and the Catalyze thematic network on food safety.
MEDFILES and LVA remarked on the role of the technologies and industries in boosting the food safety systems in Europe. Monika Tomaniova and Mari Eskola interactively conducted the session!
Youth Innovation and Empowerment
6 selected Young researchers took centre stage in the “Youths in action for the Future of Food Safety in the EU” session, showcasing their innovative ideas and participating in the “Ask the Experts” dialogue. Three young researchers — Joana Oliveira, Melisa Jaramillo Zapata, and Tiina Mandel — won the pitch competition. They will now have the chance to promote their ideas in the Young Minds of Food Safety podcast series, supported by our member LVA Ltd. Click here for details!
Looking Ahead
This vibrant Forum underscored the EU Food Safety Platform’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability through collaborative efforts.
As participants return to their respective fields, the lessons learned and partnerships formed in Rome are expected to drive impactful changes in food safety systems across Europe. The continued engagement of all stakeholders will be crucial in advancing the platform’s goals and ensuring a safer food future for all.
The 2nd EU FOOD SAFETYFORUM will be held on 2 and 3 December 2024 in Rome, at CNR – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche headquarters. This pivotal event will bring together key stakeholders from across Europe to collaborate on shaping the future of the EU’s Food Safety Systems.
The Forum provides a unique place for experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and set a strategic direction for the evolving landscape of food safety. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking approaches, this year’s event will feature several key sessions:
Science-Policy-Society Session: this session will address the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to food safety, facilitating discussions among institutions and experts on how to prepare for the future.
Co-creation Session: participants will contribute to the ongoing update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), ensuring it remains aligned with emerging challenges and opportunities.
Networking Session: attendees will have the opportunity to explore results and best practices from current EU projects, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the food safety community.
Young Researchers and Innovators Session: this dedicated space will empower the next generation of researchers, providing them with a stage to present fresh ideas and innovative solutions to food safety challenges. The “Call for abstracts” is downloadable below! Selected posters from the past edition of the Forum are available here.
The Forum aims to cultivate collaboration and innovation in Food Safety, ensuring the EU continues to lead in protecting public health and foster the ONE HEALTH approach. By integrating scientific research, policy development, and societal needs, the event will pave the way for a more resilient and future-ready EU Food Safety System, following the successful first edition held in Brussels in 2023 (materials available here).
Join us in Rome to be part of this relevant dialogue and help shape the future of food safety in the EU!
Free participation! Discover the programme and register by clicking the button below! REGISTRATIONS are CLOSED! thank you for joining us!
On November 132024IBA BUCHAREST, celebrating 24 years of research in food safety, will spotlight effective strategies for significantly reducing contaminant levels across various environments, benefiting public health and supporting ecosystem stability.
The workshop will offer a comprehensive overview of current scientific advancements and practical strategies for food contaminants. Reducing contaminants in the food chain is vital for safeguarding food safety, public health, and environmental sustainability. Contaminants can come from diverse sources such as chemical pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial pathogens. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies, including interventions at every stage of the production and supply chain, from sustainable farming practices and stricter regulations to advanced monitoring technologies and improved food processing methods. Veronica Lattanzio, the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM Coordinator, will discuss “Food Safety and Climate change: a priority for future EU Research and Innovation” and present the contributions generated by the SRIA co-designed by multi-actor groups in the FS4EUproject.
AGENDA and event registrations are available on the Workshop webpage here.
IBA BUCHAREST is a supporting partner of FS4EU, boosting the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM
On November 13-14, 2024, FFoQSI GmbH – the Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation – will host the Food Innovation Forum 2024 under the theme “Towards Sustainable Food Systems.” This two-day congress will bring together experts from agriculture, food production, research, and policy to address critical challenges and explore forward-looking solutions for sustainable food systems.
The forum will offer a comprehensive overview of current scientific advancements and practical strategies, with a focus on:
recent science and research: presenting the latest findings in sustainable food system innovations
ethical considerations: addressing urgent ethical issues, from food waste reduction to meat consumption practices
food hygiene and safety: showcasing new approaches to minimizing antibiotic and pesticide use
digitalisation: highlighting how digital tools can transform and optimize food industry processes
climate change implications: examining the spread of diseases, the emergence of new microorganisms, and the impact of invasive plant species
microorganism mapping: exploring methods to reduce spoilage and ensure high production quality
This forum will be a vital opportunity for those in the field to collaborate and discuss sustainable approaches to food production, safety, and environmental impact. The event will take place at the banquet hall of the Vetmeduni Vienna.
FFOQSI is a supporting partner of FS4EU, boosting the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM
