Thumbnail Image

Food Safety Foresight Technical Meeting on New Food Sources and Production Systems FAO, Headquarters, Rome, Italy: 13 – 17 November 2023

Summary and conclusions

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 8p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Synopsis (short abstract) New food sources and production systems (NFPS) can play a critical role in the transformation of our agrifood systems by diversifying our current ways of producing food. Therefore, it is important that FAO monitors this space, keeps gathering relevant information and disseminates sound technical advice on NFPS, particularly in the context of the food safety aspects of NFPS. Based on this objective and aiming to also build on the previous work of FAO in the area, the Food Safety Foresight Programme of the Food Systems and Food Safety Division of FAO organized a technical meeting to discuss the food safety aspects of i) plant-based food products, ii) new applications of precision fermentation, and iii) 3D food printing. At the meeting foresight approaches were used to explore the possible future landscape of NFPS. Applying foresight approaches in agrifood systems, and particularly in food safety, will allow FAO and its members to prepare for potential emerging threats, disruptions, and challenges, while also being ready to optimize opportunities that may arise in the medium- to long-term future. This executive summary report summarizes the key conclusions of the meeting and outlines some data gaps and research needs pertaining to the three focus areas.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Article
    Addressing the safety of new food sources and production systems 2024
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    New food sources and production systems (NFPS) are garnering much attention, driven by international trade, changing consumer preferences,potential sustainability benefits, and innovations in climate-resilient food production systems. However, NFPS can introduce new challenges for food safety agencies and food manufacturers. Most food safety hazards linked to new foods have been identified in traditional foods. However, there can be some food safety challenges that are unique to new foods. New food ingredients, inputs, and processes can introduce unexpected contaminants. To realize the full potential of NFPS, there is a need for stakeholders from governments, the food industry, and the research community to collectively work to address and communicate the safety of NFPS products. This review outlines known food safety hazards associated with select NFPS products on the market, namely, plant-derived proteins, seaweeds, jellyfish, insects, microbial proteins, as well as foods derived from cell-based food production, precision fermentation, vertical farming, and 3D food printing. We identify common elements in emerging NFPS regulatory frameworks in various countries/regions. Furthermore, we highlight current efforts in harmonization of terminologies, use of recent scientific tools to fill in food safety knowledge gaps, and international multi-stakeholder collaborations to tackle safety challenges. Although there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the regulatory oversight for ensuring the safety of NFPS,there is a need to develop consensus-based structured protocols or workflows among stakeholders to facilitate comprehensive, robust, and internationally harmonized approaches. These efforts increase consumers’ confidence in the safety of new foods and contribute toward fair practices in the international trade of such foods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Article
    New food sources and food production systems: exploring the food safety angle 2022
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    What is foresight? How does it help our agrifood systems and the global food safety arena? The world we live in is constantly evolving. Keeping pace with these changing global contexts—while continuing to deliver safe and nutritious food for the growing global population—rests on the ability of our agrifood systems to sufficiently anticipate, absorb, and adapt to the changes. In this regard, there are concerted efforts underway to transform agrifood systems to make them more resilient, sustainable, and equitable in the face of the economic, environmental, and social challenges of today and those that may arise.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization: Efficiency, Inclusiveness and Resilience, FAO Headquarters, Rome (Italy), 27–29 September 2023
    Conference Brochure (Detailed programme)
    2023
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This publication is a detailed programme for the Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.