New article explores how to anticipate tomorrow’s food safety crises

What might the next food safety crisis look like – and, crucially, will we detect it early enough to prevent harm? A new peer‑reviewed article in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems tackles this question head‑on, offering a structured vision of how emerging risks are transforming the global food safety landscape. Drawing on the expertise of the FoodSafeR consortium and its International Advisory Board, the paper examines how climate change, novel food production technologies, evolving supply chains and shifting consumer behaviours are combining to create new and more complex hazards. These range from climate‑driven mycotoxin patterns and new microbial threats to risks linked with alternative proteins, novel processing techniques and increasingly digitalised trade.
To help authorities and operators move from a reactive to a proactive stance, the authors propose a framework for identifying, prioritising and monitoring emerging food safety risks. It integrates horizon scanning, expert judgement and data‑driven tools, and is designed to support early warning and structured decision‑making in a rapidly changing food system.

This conceptual model underpins the development of the FoodSafeR ecosystem, which aims to provide practical methods and indicators that risk assessors, regulators and industry can use to detect weak signals and translate them into timely action. By clarifying terminology and mapping key drivers of change, the article also offers a common language for ongoing collaboration between EU projects working on emerging risks.

The publication draws from discussions at an FAO global seminar on November 6, 2024, which brought together 1,023 participants from 107 countries to share experiences and challenges using AI for food safety. As technology develops, FAO will continue to help countries adopt responsible AI solutions to reduce foodborne risks, optimize regulatory efforts, and strengthen food safety worldwide.

FAO launches publication on Food Safety Foresight

Foresight in food safety helps anticipate and manage emerging risks and opportunities over the medium to long term. A new FAO publication outlines best practices and guiding principles for policymakers, regulators, researchers, and industry professionals, showing how foresight techniques can strengthen preparedness across agrifood systems.

Amid rapid transformations driven by climate change, urbanization, global trade, and innovation, food safety challenges are becoming more complex. The FAO Food Safety Foresight Programme highlights the role of expert-led intelligence, digital tools, and multisectoral collaboration in identifying trends and supporting science-based risk assessment.

This approach empowers stakeholders to anticipate challenges, share knowledge, and inform proactive policy making, building more resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide.

A new joint publication by five key EU agencies—EFSA, EMA, EEA, ECHA, and ECDC—has been released, showcasing their ongoing scientific cooperation on One Health topics such as zoonoses, emerging risks, and antimicrobial resistance.

This paper, authored by Stefania Tampach, Ana Vidal, Ian Marnane, Wim De Coen, Ole Heuer, Carlos G. das Neves, Kerstin Gross-Helmert, Gorgias Garofalakis, and Stef Bronzwaer, analyzes the coordination tools outlined in Memoranda of Understanding and working arrangements between the agencies.
It highlights their collaborative efforts, including joint publications, and recommends exploring further mechanisms to enhance multi-sectoral cooperation and advance the implementation of the One Health strategy across the EU.

New Eurobarometer Report

The latest Eurobarometer report, provides key insights into European citizens’ knowledge and attitudes towards science and technology. The survey explores public awareness, trust in scientific advancements, and perceptions of the benefits and risks of emerging technologies.

Key topics covered include:
– Understanding of science and technology and sources of information
– Impact on society, including climate change and innovation
– Governance and public access to research results
– Trust in scientists and their role in society

This report offers valuable data for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders working to bridge the gap between science and society.

Read the full report here

A comprehensive resource for the EU Food and Drink Industry

The Data & Trends 2024 report by FoodDrinkEurope is now available. This essential resource offers detailed statistics and insights into the EU food and drink industry, highlighting its position as the largest manufacturing sector in the EU.

The report reveals that the industry employs 4.7 million people, generates a turnover of €1.2 trillion, and adds €250 billion in value. It also explores the cost of transitioning to more sustainable food systems, input costs, and future industry trends.

Additionally, the report provides a market outlook, showing that 65% of EU food and drink exports go to the Single Market, with exports outside the EU reaching €182 billion and a trade surplus of €80 billion. It includes a ranking of the top 50 food and drink companies worldwide.

This comprehensive report is an invaluable tool for professionals looking to understand the current landscape and future direction of the EU food and drink industry.

A new research insight has been published in the Food Control scientific journal: “Development of a digital Net-Map tool to analyse multi-stakeholder networks in risk analysis of emerging food safety issues.” The paper, co-authored by Niels van der Linden, Celine Meerpoel, Hanna Schebesta, and Pieternel Luning, experts from Wageningen University and the University of Gent, describes the application of the Net-Map tool in the context of the FoodSafety4EU project.
This innovative study introduces the Net-Map methodology, a tool designed to untangle the intricate relationships within multi-stakeholder networks. The findings reveal that food safety risk analysis networks are far more complex than the administrative frameworks established by legislation, providing a clear view of how theory aligns with real-world dynamics.

Key Findings:

• The Net-Map tool effectively compares theoretical expectations with practical realities in risk analysis networks.
• It helps scientists identify critical stakeholders for data collection.
• Supports policymakers by highlighting areas for targeted interventions.
• Encourages stakeholder awareness, fostering collaboration opportunities.

The digital tool serves as a game-changer for improving risk analysis approaches, offering practical benefits for all stakeholders involved in ensuring food safety.

Explore this publication to see how the Net-Map methodology can enhance collaboration and efficiency in food safety risk management. Download it below!

The white paper “Food Supplements“ by LGC AXIO, an EU FOOD SAFETY PLATFORM member, explores regulatory gaps in the EU and US markets, emphasizing the need for improved standards, given the ease of access to these products in these regions.

The supplements market is growing rapidly, with a diverse range of active ingredients, degradation products, and contaminants requiring careful safety assessment. Recent scientific research supports the health benefits of dietary supplements—including vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and fatty acids—for aspects like athletic performance, cardiovascular health, weight management, and neurological support.
This trend has significantly fueled the supplements industry; however, concerns over quality and safety are rising.
Issues such as discrepancies between labelled and actual ingredient concentrations and the presence of contaminants highlight the need for rigorous oversight. Recent studies highlight significant regulatory gaps in the EU and US, stressing the need for improved methods to ensure reliable measurement of supplement quality and safety. Botanical supplements, in particular, raise concerns over potential side effects and drug interactions, as they lack the strict standards applied to pharmaceuticals. This variability underscores an opportunity for scientists and regulators to collaborate internationally to enhance public health. To meet the demands of informed consumers, more manufacturers are differentiating themselves through testing in accredited labs and participation in Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes, ensuring quality and compliance.

PT is critical in fostering transparency and accountability, helping quality brands distinguish themselves from those of lower quality. Insights from the LGC AXIO PT team reveal that quality markers and contaminants vary widely across products, presenting technical challenges for manufacturers striving to maintain high standards.