Member’s Newsletter - August 2025

Last Updated : 14 August 2025

Summer is here, yet at EUFIC our commitment to making science shine continues — from projects on food systems and consumer trust to promoting healthier, more sustainable choices! As you recharge, don’t miss the chance to boost your skills with EUFIC’s Science Communication Trainings this autumn. On 14 October we’ll dive into effective communication techniques, and on 17 November we’ll cover both the essentials and how to use social media effectively for science communication. With hands-on tips, only 30 seats per session, and a 40% discount for members (promo code 'EUFICFRIEND40!'), it’s your chance to turn complex research into stories that truly stick.

Looking further ahead, our September Members’ Meeting will return to last year’s venue. This year, we’re delighted to welcome two distinguished external speakers:

• Michael Siegrist on Naturalness and Healthiness in the context of New Technology, Products, or Trends
• David J. Mela on Conflicts of Interest in Nutrition

We will also dedicate time to EUFIC’s Strategy Review for the next seven years — a vital opportunity to help shape the long-term direction of our work. 

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Upcoming events

The Cook2DIABeat Symposium: Recipes for Living with Type 2 Diabetes –27 August (Brussels)

NCDs

The symposium will present the new Cook2DIAbeat e-learning platform: an evidence-based, easy to use digital space, made by and for people living with type 2 diabetes. Register here!

A Recipe for Trust: Food, Data and Our Choices – DRG4FOOD and FOODITY Final Conference – 22 -23 October 2025 (Brussels)  

food literacy

If you are an SME, researcher, or investor in digital technologies related to the food system, don’t miss this two-day event! During the conference, we will showcase innovative solutions from the DRG4FOOD and FOODITY pilot projects in food tracking, targeted nutrition, and consumer food choices, with opportunities for networking. You will also gain insights from three years of research through presentations and panel discussions with European experts! 

DRG4FOOD announce the final conference of 3 years projects dedicated to research on the relationship between food and data and how to create a trustworthy digital food system! Register here.

Highlights from latest EUFIC campaigns 

June – food safety

• Articles | Acrylamide in food: What it is & How to reduce levels
• Social Media | How to store food safely to avoid food poisoning

July – food labelling

• Article | What is a food allergy? Symptoms, causes and treatment
• Social Media | Are food scanner apps reliable?

What was our team up to?

• 3 June – Laura Fernandez spoke on a panel at the Next Generation of Food Conference (Food Valley, Wageningen, Netherlands), a high-level gathering of 60 industry leaders, academics, and NGOs. Discussions focused on food system futures, consumer trends, sustainability, and tackling misinformation in the food landscape.
• 11 June – Laura Fernandez took part in a panel on ‘consumer behaviour and misinformation’ as conversation leader in FTalks Valencia Ftalks food summit Valencia. The session was attended by approx. 120 people (industry, civil society, policy makers, academics).
• 16 June – Laura Fernandez attended a Danone event on plant-based alternatives to dairy they organised in Saclay (Paris). The event brought together Danone staff, renowned international scientists, influencers and civil society organisations (250 in attendance).
• 23 June – Carlos Abundancia participated in the European Social Services Conference in Aarhus, Denmark, in a breakout session by Edenred on 'Leveraging technology for better nutrition and care'.
• 24 June – Betty Chang attended the European Commission event 'R&I for a Competitive Green Transition'.
• 24 June – Debora Serra attended an event organised by the Italian Institute for Competitiveness, focused on European legislation related to lifestyles and healthy habits (held in Italian).
• 26 June – Laura Fernandez presented the results of the survey on ES nutrition professional views on plant-based alternatives to dairy in a webinar organised by Alimentando el Cambio (Danone platform that brings together experts, institutions, and the public to discuss healthy and sustainable food systems) in collaboration with EUFIC.   
• 1 July – Laura Fernandez presented on the history of processed foods at the European Food Forum about 'Understanding food processing’. The event was attended by approx. 60 people (European Commission, MEPs, industry, academics, NGOs).   
• 3 July – Frederic Beyer presented EUFIC’s activities and vision (strategic and scientific) regarding the use and perception of food ingredients in the EU. The presentation took place at 'Les Matinales Ingrédients', an event hosted 2–3 times per year by ANIA (French National Association of Food Industries).The audience consisted primarily of technical stakeholders, including senior R&D and quality representatives from leading food industries, laboratories, regulators, and journalists.
  
  If you want to learn more about any of these events, don't hesitate to reach out to membership@eufic.org ! 

New EUFIC Science Communication Trainings – Autumn 2025

Want to make your research resonate? This autumn, EUFIC is offering live, interactive online trainings to help food, nutrition, and health professionals turn complex science into clear, engaging messages.

With 30+ years of expertise and a track record of training the European Parliament, Commission, and leading universities, our sessions focus on practical skills, real-life examples, and personalised feedback.

Dates & Topics

• 14 Oct, 10:00–12:00: Effective science communication – audience targeting, message framing, jargon-busting, and communicating numbers.
• 17 Nov, 15:00–17:00: Core principles + using social media effectively.

Price: €50 per training (VAT incl.). EUFIC members get 40% off with promo code EUFICFRIEND40! when registering.
Limited to 30 participants. Book early to secure your spot!

Interested in offering regular training to your staff or students? Contact Elisangela Rosario, Membership and Funding Manager at EUFIC, to explore membership options. 

Resources from our projects and initiative

Insights from EUFIC’s latest consumer research - Attitudes of nutrition professionals towards plant-based dairy alternatives (Alpro project)  

plant-based 

The full results of the online survey examining how nutrition professionals in Spain and Portugal feel about plant-based dairy alternatives are now available! Explore the country reports for insights into the diverse perspectives and knowledge gaps related to these products. 

Gaining insight into nutrition professionals’ perceptions of plant-based dairy alternatives can guide communication and product positioning strategies to support the integration of these products into their recommendations.

Cook2DIAbeat – Symposium and e-learning platform — Recipes for living with type 2 diabetes 

NCDs

Healthy eating is essential for managing type 2 diabetes and improving quality of life. But finding reliable, engaging, and practical tools tailored to people with diabetes isn’t always easy. Therefore, the Cook2DIAbeat platform was developed: a free, inclusive e-learning platform incorporating the latest research from culinary medicine. It is created with people living with type 2 diabetes, not just for them. 

With videos, recipes, and easy-to-follow courses, the platform helps users develop healthy cooking and eating habits grounded in real-life needs and preferences. EUFIC supported the research and development of the platform, ensuring that the content is evidence-based, accessible, and empowering. Whether you are a health professional or someone managing type 2 diabetes, Cook2DIAbeat offers practical tools to support long-term health in the kitchen. After three years of research, the Cook2DIAbeat platform was officially launched during a hybrid event in Madrid in the presence of all partners. 

Members are welcome to attend the hybrid Cook2DIAbeat symposium on the 27th of August in Brussels where the Dutch and French version of the e-learning platform will be presented alongside interesting presentations of diabetes professionals, registration information coming soon. These presentations will include talks from various health care professionals on the importance of food in managing type 2 diabetes, the significance of integrated care, and testimonies about the role of patient centred organizations. 

Infographic: The Role of Our Environments on Obesity (BETTER4U) 

obesity

Obesity rates across the globe are rising continuously over the past decades. Despite lots of research on the topic, current approaches to address this complex and multifactorial disease often fail. Obesity is influenced by far more factors than just food and movement. We need to understand the how all factors, genetic, physiological, environmental and social factors, work together and create personalised solutions that put the people in the centre. 

EUFIC created a new infographic for the BETTER4U project, uncovering an often overlooked factor of the obesity development – our environments. These so called obesogenic environments are caused by many factors. Addressing them can help society to create healthier environments and support people living with obesity. 

This infographic helps members understand how environments shape obesity risk, offering fresh insights for designing more effective health strategies, campaigns, or interventions. It’s a practical tool to support evidence-based communication and policy work. 

Membership news

A kind reminder that EUFIC invites members to register to the Face to Face Members Meeting in Brussels on September 16th, you can view the agenda and register here!

The EUFIC Team (Elis Rosario and Nina McGrath) will attend the ICN Paris between August 25th and 28th, and they would be delighted to meet members, which are also attending the event. We are sure we can grab a coffee or tea in between the plenary sessions. If you are attending, please let us know which days and we will do our best to find you there. Feel free to send us an email (EUFIC Membership Program - membership@eufic.org ) indicating the dates that you might be available for a quick chat during the ICN Paris.  

A reminder that materials from both our members and food safety meeting are available upon request through membership@eufic.org.