The global food analysis

The robustness of scientific data is the basis for risk assessment of chemical (toxicological) and microbial contaminants. The rapid expansion of scientific and technological advances could allow faster and more specific methods increasing decision making, while also meeting societal demands for reduced animal testing.

SPECIFIC R&I BREAKTHROUGH TOPICS

Rapid scientific advances allow a new era of food analysis for quality and safety. This is particularly being seen in genomics and epigenetics (the science that deals with the study of genomes and the translation into phenotypes; the expression of genes), and advances in technology, such as analytical equipment (eg spectroscopy), computational toxicology, bioinformatics, and the emergence of big data. This allows the development of:
• Analytical technologies that are rapid, exact, low cost, and non-destructive of samples (eg allergen detectors).
• Methodologies for higher traceability and fraud detection.
• Systems for the identification of potential targets for preservation.
• Better modelling for higher accuracy on the potential shelf-life of products (i.e. increasing food security and reducing food waste).
In addition, it could be aspired to reach societal demand for reducing animal tests in food safety assessments.

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