SPECTRA coordinator Prof. Dimitra Lambropoulou of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will contribute to a discussion on European food safety research priorities at the 4th EU Food Safety Forum. The forum takes place in person on 10–11 December 2026 at the Italian Ministry of Health in Rome.
On 10 December, Prof. Lambropoulou will join representatives from European projects and initiatives to discuss where research and innovation can strengthen food safety within the Food 2040 framework. The session will invite input from the audience and feed into the ongoing update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for food safety, which identifies shared priorities for future research and collaboration.
What SPECTRA brings to the discussion
When a new analytical method shows promise, what does it take for other laboratories to use it with confidence? That question is central to SPECTRA’s work. The Horizon Europe Twinning project builds research capacity in water quality, food safety, traceability and authenticity through training and exchanges between research teams.
SPECTRA brings a practical laboratory perspective to discussions about where new evidence is needed and how to produce it. Whether the task is detecting contaminants or verifying a food product’s origin, researchers need access to suitable methods, the expertise to interpret results and opportunities to learn from other laboratories. SPECTRA’s experience can help the forum consider which of those needs should inform future research priorities and where collaboration could make a difference.
“The SPECTRA experience highlights how scientific innovation, advanced monitoring, and cross-sector collaboration can strengthen food safety, authenticity, and traceability across the food chain. By generating robust evidence on emerging contaminants, including nanoplastics, and developing innovative approaches for food verification and supply chain transparency, SPECTRA provides valuable insights for future European research and policymaking. We look forward to sharing these lessons to support safer, more transparent, and more sustainable food systems across Europe.”
Prof. Dimitra Lambropoulou, SPECTRA Coordinator
The forum also gives SPECTRA an opportunity to hear directly from policymakers and industry representatives about the evidence they need and the challenges they face in using it.
From discussion to research priorities
Promoted by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and the EU Food Safety Platform, the forum brings together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and early-career innovators. The science, policy and society session will examine how these groups can work together to prepare for emerging food safety challenges. In a co-creation workshop, participants will develop proposals for the research agenda, including on the role of biotechnology and digital tools.
The second day will feature a networking session where attendees can learn from current EU projects and explore opportunities to collaborate. A dedicated session will showcase ideas from young researchers and innovators, and the EU Food Safety Platform Steering Committee will draw together messages from the discussions to inform future work.
Attend in person
The forum will be held on 10–11 December 2026 at the Auditorium Cosimo Piccinno, Italian Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1, Rome, Italy.
Visit the EU Food Safety Platform website for registration and programme details
