Programs for the research theme Food
Foodstuffs are safer than ever, but maintaining - and if necessary improving - that level of safety is an important challenge. There are, after all, new potential threats that arise from the link between globalization and the intensification of the increasingly complex nature of food production chains.
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This means that the food industry and government agencies and ministries that deal with the safety and health aspects of nutrition find themselves faced with new challenges. Important aspects include: systems for industry self-regulation as requested by the government, legislation requiring supporting evidence for nutritional value claims, food safety and (specifically for industry) accelerated time-to-market for new products. At the same time, public policy also expects a broad consensus on the question of healthy vs. harmful (for people, animals, environment) and a level-headed, objective approach to risks.
Knowledge of new contamination risks is needed in order to keep food optimally safe. That knowledge must also include the potential sources of contamination in the production chain, highly advanced and quick detection methods and a management system that is geared to provide for prompt and thorough intervention. Research into new ingredients and additives and the provision of evidence with regards to health-related effects (with an emphasis on safety) should result in products that are capable of reducing the risk of disease. Advances in life science technologies are key to the development of nutritional and pharmaceutical components.
The cutting edge - in the medium term - is formed by the rapid development of technologies that provide insight into the processes that control life, from information at genome level to processes at cell level (known as genomics or systems biology). This holds great promise for understanding and influencing health. Many domestic and international research initiatives address this issue, and will continue to do so from a fundamental point of view for the time being. Initial practical applications are expected to make their appearance in the next few years.
These expert knowledge inquiries are important for the government, the food industry and for consumers.
