InnoProtein - New sustainable proteins for food, feed and non-food bio-based applications
Brussels, 29th of September 2023 On September 29th, on the occasion of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) is launching a one-month food waste campaign, together with a new quiz "Evaluate Your…
Brussels, 21 September 2023 – Shortening food supply chains is one of the key aspects to stimulate the uptake of sustainable food systems transformation: what if we could bring food processing closer to farmers in an economically feasible way? FOX – Food Processing in a Box, a Horizon 2020 funded…
Discover how you can make a positive impact on the environment and save on costs by evaluating your food waste habits! EUFIC's new food waste quiz is designed to help you evaluate your food waste practices and identify effective strategies tailored to your lifestyle that can minimise food waste. After…
The world is gearing up to mark the International Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day on September 29th, a day dedicated to addressing the critical issue of food loss and waste (FLW). Recognising that this challenge needs the collective efforts of experts and stakeholders from various fields, the Valencia World…
Tänase rahvusvahelise kirjaoskuse päeva puhul algatas Euroopa Toiduteabe Nõukogu toidu- ja terviseteaduse alase kirjaoskuse suurendamise kampaania rõhutamaks selle rolli üldsuse teadlike toitumis- ja elustiilivalikute tegemisel. Kampaania peamine eesmärk on luua tervislikum ja kestlikum ühiskond. Eurobaromeetri 2022. aasta uuringu järgi pidas 49% vastanutest avalik-õiguslikke tele- ja raadiojaamu kõige usaldusväärsemaks uudiste allikaks…
In recognition of International Literacy Day, the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has launched a campaign on food and health science literacy. This initiative emphasises the crucial role of literacy in empowering the public to make well-informed diet and lifestyle choices, underpinning a vision for a healthier and more sustainable…
Nutrition and health are inextricably linked. Nutrition researchers try to unravel these connections in order to arrive at reliable nutritional advice. However, not all types of research can be used to draw equally firm conclusions. Understanding the different types of study designs is important for distinguishing between reliable and less…
Have you ever wondered how strong the scientific evidence is behind the latest dietary trends and health claims? This infographic dives into common study designs (systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, observational research, including prospective cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, animal studies, cell studies, and anecdotes and case studies)…
In a world flooded with information, distinguishing fact from fiction is crucial, especially when it comes to health. It’s easy to stumble upon articles that claim to be backed by science but actually twist the facts. They may make extravagant promises or single out specific foods, leaving us puzzled about…
In an era where information is readily available, graphs have become essential tools for conveying data in a visually appealing and concise manner. Understanding how to read them accurately is crucial for making informed decisions. However, graphs can be misleading if not interpreted correctly or are even made misleading on…
In today’s information age, our ability to make informed decisions is crucial, especially when it comes to nutrition and health. To make sense of the huge amount of information that surrounds us, our brains sometimes make systematic thinking errors – known as cognitive biases. This infographic explores seven common cognitive…
Nutrition has a fundamental and vital role in contributing to public health. Have you ever wondered how the work of scientists is checked and paid for? Why is some nutrition research behind a paywall? This article describes the ways in which nutrition research can be funded, and explains some aspects…
It's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the impact that our actions are having on the planet's climate. While we grapple with the consequences of our choices as a society, one critical concern that often goes unmentioned is the safety of the food we consume.1 In this article, we will dive…
Recent news stories have reported that eating ultra-processed food increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, based on results from two new research studies. The use of the degree of processing of foods as an indicator of their healthfulness is a hotly debated topic in nutrition and food science.…
Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Not only do these colourful foods add flavour and variety to your meals, but they also pack a powerful nutritional punch, providing vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. In this article, we will explore the health benefits of eating fruits…
Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and is used to replace sugar and provide sweetness in energy-reduced food, or food with no added sugars. Recent news stories have raised the alarm that aspartame may be linked to cancer, but there are a few…
The EU Commission has released their draft proposal for a reformed regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs).1 This article explains what is meant by NGTs and how they are (or can be) used to make agricultural production more sustainable. Potential risks, areas of uncertainty and suggestions for the regulation of…
Η Επιτροπή της ΕΕ ανακοίνωσε τη δημοσίευση ενός σχεδίου πρότασης για έναν αναθεωρημένο κανονισμό για τις Νέες γονιδιωματικές τεχνικές (NGTs) που αναμένεται να δημοσιευθεί στις αρχές Ιουλίου 2023.1 Αυτό το άρθρο εξηγεί τι σημαίνουν οι NGTs και πώς χρησιμοποιούνται (ή μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν) για να γίνει πιο βιώσιμη η αγροτική…
The human body, and mainly the digestive tract, is home to trillions of microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi and viruses, as well as the less known archaea and protozoa, all live side by side in our gut. These tiny living organisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota, can have a great impact…
Brussels, 22 June 2023 Due to unhealthy lifestyles, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases – are on the rise, representing by far the leading cause of mortality across the EU. To fight this wave, the EU-funded project Stance4Health has worked during the past…
European project HOLiFOOD to improve food safety and sustainability of the EU food system. Emerging risks in the food chain are increasingly impacting our daily lives. How can food industry and authorities leverage technologies like AI and Big data in the future to improve both the safety, healthiness and sustainability…
The gut microbiome is an essential part of our digestive system that plays a significant role in our overall health and well-being. This article will explain how personalised nutrition and functional foods are being studied as tools to positively influence our gut microbiome, as well as their limitations and challenges.…
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major public health concern globally and their prevalence is increasing due to an increasing life expectancy, growing population, urbanisation and changing lifestyles. Many NCDs are preventable and certain lifestyle changes can reduce our risk of developing them. In this article, we will explore what NCDs…
Diet and food choice play a crucial role in 'feeding' our microbiome- and the trillions of micro-organisms that make up this complex system. To raise awareness of this crucial topic, this year's World Microbiome Day, which takes place once again on June 27th, and is organised by APC Microbiome Ireland…
Each of us contributes to the impact that our food system has on the planet. We can all commit to making the world a healthier place to live, through small but achievable changes to our diets. 1. Eat more fruits and vegetables Fruit and vegetables are good for our health,…
Sweeteners are used in foods to replace sugar and add a sweet taste without (or with very few) calories, are therefore often used by people trying to lose or maintain their weight. However, recent news stories warned against the use of sweeteners, for weight loss. Here are a few things…
DRG4FOOD - Empowering a fair and responsible European FoodRegister, fostering citizen sovereignty and creating a data-driven food system
HOLiFOOD - Holistic approach for tackling food systems risks in a changing global environment
The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) is proud to win the EU4Health (EU4H) Programme operating grant for 2023 as part of the EU's largest programme to boost public health in Europe, supporting the development of stronger, more resilient and more accessible health systems. EU4H is managed by the European Health…
“Avoid all processed foods” – this message seems to be a common response when someone asks how to adopt a healthier diet. The term ‘processed foods’ may bring to mind products such as frozen pizzas, packaged chocolate chip cookies, or ready-made supermarket meals containing many ingredients and food additives. However,…
Right side: Production of Galdieria sulphuraria in a pilot tubular photobioreactor at AlgaePARC (Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands); Left side: hot springs 5 April 2023, Wageningen, Netherlands Researchers from the ProFuture project present the latest findings on extremophile species Galdieria sulphuraria. Researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands have…
Cook2DIAbeat - Healthier Eating for Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: Cocreating a Novel Nutrition Education Program with Culinary Medicine
The EU market for alternative proteins has been growing steadily in recent years, with meat and dairy alternative sales increasing by 10% annually between 2010 and 2020.1 But what are the trending “alternative proteins”? This article explains why we should take them seriously and shows five options that may help…
There has been a lot of talk about lab-grown meat (also called cultivated or cell-based meat) in the news recently. This article explains what it is, how it’s made, and the barriers that will need to be overcome if we’re ever going to find it in supermarkets in Europe. What…
FoodStories: Impactful food science communication
Brussels, 15th March 2023 As rapid digital advancements continue to shape the world we live in, market abuses and social injustices pose a significant threat to consumer rights, both in the physical and virtual worlds. Particularly in sensitive systems like the food chain, data-based approaches are important but not easy…
Recent news stories reported that the low-calorie sweetener erythritol has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Sweeteners, including erythritol, are used in foods to replace sugar and add a sweet taste without (or with very few) calories. So, does this new data suggest we should…
Consumer trust is crucial in advancing the EU towards a healthier, more resilient, equitable, and more sustainable food system. In this context, Dr Laura Fernandez, Director General of EUFIC, presented the TrustTracker® at the 20th Spanish Food Safety & Quality conference, organised by AECOC, the association of manufacturers and distributors,…
Multivitamins: benefits & risks for health
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is one of the most important risk factors for the development of heart disease and stroke. Our blood pressure can be influenced by many things, including our genes, diseases such as kidney disease, medications and lifestyle. For most of us, lifestyle plays the biggest role…
Salt has been used to flavour and preserve foods for thousands of years. We all need some salt for good health, but eating too much can increase our blood pressure, increasing our risk of heart disease. Here we discuss how too much salt can increase blood pressure, the relationship between…
As pulses are an important part of a nutritious, sustainable, as well as affordable diet, the Beans is How campaign pledges to double the global consumption of beans, peas, pulses, lentils and legumes by 2028. This February, EUFIC joined forces with the movement: “EUFIC is delighted to join the Beans…
Algae come in many different shapes and sizes – but while most of us would only recognise a few species, many more are becoming increasingly important organisms for our future. Especially microalgae have a huge potential to be seen much more on our plates – as part of a healthy…
Recent news stories reported that eating grapes could protect against UV damage (UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun) that can increase the risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. While it is well known that a diet high in fruit,…
We are a consumer-oriented non-profit association, that makes the science behind food and health more accessible and easier to understand among the public. Our mission is to produce science-based content to inspire and empower healthier and more sustainable diets and lifestyles among European citizens. How do we boost project outreach…
PLAN’EAT - Food Systems Transformation Towards Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Behaviour
FOODPathS - Co-creating the prototype ‘Sustainable FOOD Systems PArTnersHip’
Helping people to improve the healthiness and environmental sustainability of their diets is a global challenge that requires a system’s perspective. Therefore, during EUFIC’s online symposium on the 3rd of November 2022, experts focused on complementary approaches towards behaviour change. They presented recent research on preferences and barriers of consumers…
Recent news stories reported that a low-carbohydrate diet could prevent type 2 diabetes, or even reverse the established disease. Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients in our diet (fat and protein being the others) and represent the most important source of energy for the body. In the past decades,…
They are tiny, invisible, and yet so powerful. We are talking about microbiomes, the communities of microorganisms that inhabit almost every conceivable environment. Microbiomes have a tremendous impact on our lives without us even being aware of them most of the time. Not only do they play a vital role…
Recent news stories reported that alcohol may cut the risk of dementia, stating that ‘beer IS good for you!’ and drinking two pints a day can ‘slash your risk.’ So, should we more regularly catch up with friends over pints or reach for a beer after a long day at…
Brussels, 1 October 2022 - Today, the EU-funded project FoodSafety4EU and the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) launched a social media campaign about food additives, based on an analysis of consumers’ questions and concerns. Although food additives must prove a purpose and undergo strict safety evaluations, they are a source…
Add oil to water and the two liquids will never mix. At least not until an emulsifier is added. Emulsifiers are the key to why the oil doesn’t separate from the vinegar in mayonnaise, why chocolate can be moulded and shaped into different chocolate bars, and why bread doesn’t turn…
Nitrates and nitrites – and particularly their use as food additives – have raised some concerns among consumers for their potential to harm health. But is it true that they are not safe? And what foods are high in nitrate? What are nitrates/nitrites? Simply put, nitrates and nitrites are naturally…
One food ingredient that is commonly on the receiving end of bad press is monosodium glutamate or MSG. However, this is unfounded. MSG can be safely used to add flavour and appeal to foods, and even to reduce sodium levels in foods. This article explores MSG and what the latest…
Preservation techniques have been used as far back as the 14th century when man first used salt (salting) and smoke (curing) to stop meat and fish from going bad. Nowadays, the use of food additive preservatives has become an indispensable part of the food we eat. Despite a number of…
Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage with consumption reaching to almost fifteen litres per person just last year. However, for some it may not be all sunshine and rainbows, complaining later from headaches, stomach pains, hives, and other unpleasant side effects. The sulphites in wine are often blamed for these…
Valencia, 27 September 2022 - Roughly 1/3 of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted. To drive attention to this urgent issue, the World Sustainable Urban Food Centre of València (CEMAS) organised jointly with the Sabri-Ülker Foundation from Turkey and the European Food Information…
Amino acids that can be produced by the body and therefore do not need to come from the diet.
Recent news stories reported that women who follow a vegetarian diet are more likely to suffer hip fractures than those who eat meat, suggesting nutritional deficiencies and lower body mass index (BMI) as possible causes. Meatless diets are becoming increasingly popular in Western countries, possibly due to increasing evidence of…
RESTRUCTURE - Developing and implementing innovative and evidence-based food design principles to moderate energy intake
STANCE4HEALTH - Smart Technologies for personAlised Nutrition and Consumer Engagement
ProFuture - Microalgae Protein Ingredients for the Food and Feed of the Future
MicrobiomeSupport - Towards coordinated microbiome R&I activities in the food system to support (EU and) international bioeconomy goals
Human Microbiome Action - International Human Microbiome Coordination and Support Action
FoodSafety4EU - Multi-stakeholder Platform for Food Safety in Europe
FOX - Innovative down-scaled FOod processing in a boX
CIRCLES - Controlling mIcRobiomes CircuLations for bEtter food Systems
Strength2Food - Strengthening European Food Chain Sustainability by Quality and Procurement Policy
Food labels help us understand what’s in packaged foods. By law, the label must include nutritional information providing the energy content in kilojoules (kJ) and kilocalories (kcal), fats, saturated fats (“saturates”), carbohydrates, sugars, protein, and salt per 100 gram (g) or 100 millilitres (ml).1 This information must be shown together…
To coordinate EU policy priorities on food, the EU-funded project FOODPathS kicked off with seventeen key network organisations last Friday. The project will set up a prototype of the European “Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) for people, planet and climate” - a new European governance model to co-fund future…
Food, nutrition and health experts don’t always agree on terms and concepts surrounding processed foods, according to new research from the University of Surrey. The research, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, suggests that food scientific experts and stakeholders need to quickly reach a consensus when it comes to processed foods…
Recent news stories reported that eating two portions of fish a week increases the risk of skin cancer. While eating fish has long been recognized as part of a healthy diet, providing a valuable source of high-quality protein, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, should you reconsider this long-held belief?…
EUFIC’s information is science-based. To ensure we deliver on this premise, we engage in numerous active research and innovation-funded projects with partners from all over Europe to keep abreast of scientific developments. We conduct consumer research, engage stakeholders in a series of initiatives (co-creation activities, defining recommendations for policymakers, designing…
Recent news stories reported that a ketogenic diet – a dietary pattern high in fat and protein while low in carbohydrates – can prevent and treat cancer. While the study behind these news stories adds important insights to the wider scientific effort to cancer prevention and treatment, there are a…
Brussels, 6 May - The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) welcomes being awarded the EU4Health (EU4H) Programme operating grant for 2022, as part of the EU’s largest programme to boost public health in Europe. Launched as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, EU4H is managed by the European Health and…
The ocean plays an important role when it comes to securing food and nutrition for many people around the planet today, but it holds even greater potential as part of a sustainable food system in the future. Microalgae have gained increased attention as they present a more sustainable source of…
You may have heard a lot of talk about the health and environmental impacts of meat in recent years. This article outlines the nutritional benefits and risks of eating red and processed meat and describes the environmental impact of these foods. You’ll also discover some useful tips to help you…
Consumers are increasingly interested in knowing more about healthy and sustainable food. However, it is not always easy for them to access and/or understand such information. EUFIC carried out a consumer research project whose aim was to examine how best to communicate to consumers about healthy and sustainable food. In…
In 2050, the world will have 10 billion mouths to feed. At the same time, we will be facing the greatest environmental, climate, and health challenges in human history.1 How will we feed the future world population without further exhausting our planet? How do we ensure access to sufficient, safe,…
Recent news stories reported that eating more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day reduces the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer. While olive oil is a core part of the Mediterranean diet which has long been recognised as a source of nutrients and substances associated…
You may have heard that plant-based diets fall short on protein, yet you might get surprised at the variety of plant foods that can help you meet your protein needs. If you still turn up your nose at the idea of swapping meat for pulses – or if you’d like…
Caterers and restaurants saw a significant boost to public trust in the past year because of the pandemic, according to a new survey of trust in the food industry-funded by EIT Food. Caterers and restaurants see an increase in public trust due to COVID-19 outbreak across 6 project countries, including…
Recent news stories reported that palmitic acid - a fatty acid found in palm oil – could increase cancer spread. While this study brings relevant findings, there are a few things to keep in mind when reading the headlines. The study behind the headlines The study behind the news reports…