UpRise project
UPRISE is an international project focused on combating mycotoxin contamination, a critical food safety challenge, by developing innovative and sustainable solutions primarily for African food systems. The project brings together diverse European and African stakeholders to enhance knowledge sharing and build resilient, inclusive food safety practices.
UPRISE, coordinated by prof. Sarah de Saeger – University of Ghent – leverages indigenous fermentation technologies and supports sustainability through Training Hubs and an Accelerator Platform, contributing directly to the African Food Safety Strategy.
Risk assessment digital toolkit
The collaboration between UPRISE, CNR ISPA – Institute of Sciences of Production of the National Research Council, project partner, and the EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM is built on shared goals to improve food safety through innovation and multi-stakeholder engagement. Central to this partnership is the exploitation of an advanced risk assessment toolkit initially developed by the FS4EU project, which provides frameworks to identify and manage food safety risks. The UpRise Consortium promoted the toolkit, also by presenting it in international conferences.
The Risk Assessment Tool Kit is included in the Uprise set of Practice abstracts. It is being promoted by the project, and applied in Africa, from project partners and other stakeholders.
Dr. María Agustina Pavicich from Universiteit Gent had a keynote address at the ILSI Europe Early Career Scientists ECS event in October 2025, presenting “A simplified risk assessment toolkit for rapid detection of emerging risks”.
UPRISE Accelerator Platform
The UpRIse Accelerator Platform is a sustainable co-creation and consultation network that brings together diverse multi-actor groups in African food systems. It includes food safety authorities, consumer organizations, farmer groups, mentoring bodies, trade associations, related projects, and rapid test-kit providers. The platform fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and validation of innovative solutions to food safety challenges, particularly focused on mycotoxin contamination and regulatory frameworks.
By mobilizing a broad network of stakeholders, the UpRIse Accelerator aims to accelerate the scaling and adoption of breakthrough approaches and best practices in food safety, supporting resilient, inclusive, and safe food systems. The platform plays a pivotal role in mentoring, training, and piloting interventions, thereby generating impact on food security and quality in African countries.
The EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM and the UPRISE ACCELERATOR PLATFORM have signed an agreement to strenghten cooperation and network in 2025.
Next Steps & Updates
The EU Food Safety Platform is contributing to promote the UPRISE activities, and boost the implementation of the Risk Assessment Tool Kit.
It will will host the EU-AU dialogue on food safety policies.
UPRISE Team
Dr. Sarah De Saeger
Project Coordinator
UGENT
Antonio Moretti
CNR ISPA Director
CNR ISPA
Veronica Lattanzio
EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM Coordinator
