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 Timişoara, 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
The European Commission adopted the 2025 Work Programme for the European Innovation Council (EIC) on 29 October 2024, introducing over €1.4 billion in funding opportunities. This programme aims to accelerate Europe’s progress in strategic technologies and support high-growth companies. It focuses on innovation with significant potential for market disruption and societal impact. On Tuesday 5 November 2024, an Info Day will be dedicated to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2025 Prospective applicants for the European Innovation Council interested in the upcoming opportunities under the EIC Work Programme 2025 are warmly invited to join this online Info Day to learn more about these opportunities, but also about the successes achieved under the previous work programmes.
High-level speakers from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide an overview of three main funding schemes of by EIC. Live streaming is available here starting from 9.30 a.m. to 16.45 p.m.
The upcoming international conference at BFR, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment entirely dedicated to alternative protein sources will occur in December 2024, in Berlin from 3 to 5 December. The International Conference on ‘Alternative Proteins for Food and Feed’ will apply a holistic approach by addressing 3 thematic clusters, mainly Regulatory framework/process (Safety, Nutrition, Legal status), Sustainability (Life-cycle assessment, Production) and Consumer acceptance /socio-economic aspects (Product properties, risk-benefit perception).
The event is promoted by BFR, an FS4EU/EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM supporting member
With the increasing complexity of global food systems, emerging risks in food safety demand more sophisticated approaches. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the field, and, although still emerging, is set to play a critical role in the EU’s food safety systems. The EU’s FoodSafety4EU and HOLiFOOD projects highlight AI’s potential in predictive risk analysis, digital platform co-design, and fostering a culture of data sharing among stakeholders. By exploring technical, legal, educational barriers and enabling factors, as well as by piloting co-developed solutions, these projects are paving the way for a safer, more resilient food supply chain.
FoodSafety4EU and HOLiFOOD employ a “living lab” approach, where AI capabilities are co-developed across various multi-stakeholder participatory workshops. This collaborative model connects and engages with experts from diverse sectors, advancing risk assessment by incorporating cross-disciplinary insights and fostering innovations in AI and machine learning (ML).
The FoodSafety4EU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), as a result of one ofthese living labs, emphasizes AI’s transformative potential for real-time and anticipatory risk management. It envisages priority research needs to provide food business operators (FBOs) and authorities with the tools necessary for transparent, adaptive food safety protocols.
The ongoing living labs in the HOLiFOOD project are driving a multi-actor co-design approach on AI-related food safety topics, namely i) AI-driven emerging risk identification, ii) holistic risk assessment and acceptance and iii) AI-driven digital platform codesign. Through AI-driven data collection and advanced modelling, these living labs target challenges such as environmental contaminants, microbiological hazards, and climate-driven shifts in foodborne risks.
Future Directions: enablers and challenges in trusted AI development
AI’s role is as effective as the trust it garners from stakeholders. Critical enablers include harmonized legislation for data sharing, user-friendly interfaces, and infrastructure that ensures data accessibility. The EU is urged to streamline policies that facilitate safe data flows while respecting GDPR and data protection laws.
As we move towards integrating AI into everyday food safety practices, ongoing research emphasizes priority risk areas, including pesticide contamination, microbial hazards, and environmental contaminants. Recognizing the nuances of these risks, especially in light of climate change, will require both robust AI-driven data models and a balanced approach to communicating risks to the public and industry players alike.
ICA Events 23 – 25 October 2024 –University of Zagreb, Croatia, and Hybrid
ICA-Edu is focusing in 2024 on the implications of the current developments in artificial intelligence (AI) for university education. The upcoming ICA-Edu events are:
All details are provided on each event website. Past events: Another webinar on this topic was held on 25 September “Artificial Intelligence in Education: Enhancing Teaching and Learning Capabilities” In preparation for the annual Workshop, ICA-Edu held a Webinar on 25 June “Preparing students for the AI era: integrating fundamental AI tools and skills into academic education curricula”.
ICA is promoted by ISEKI-FOOD, a EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM member
