Technology development for integrated monitoring of emerging foodborne hazards
The growing threat of (re-)emerging foodborne hazards driven by factors like environmental change, global trade, and resource shortages pose increasing risks to food safety. Existing detection methods were often too slow, targeted, or limited to effectively predict, detect, and manage these risks across complex food chains.
Multiple innovative methods for detecting biological and chemical food hazards have been developed, including quasi-metagenomic approaches, WGS-based assays, biosensors, and AI-driven analysis techniques.
Throughout the project we combine targeted and untargeted detection methods, advanced molecular biology techniques, and AI-driven models, integrating results into a European data-sharing platform to support decision-making.
This technology offers:
- Reduced foodborne illness cases with advanced detection methods for pathogens and chemicals
- On-site, real-time detection capabilities with portable microfluidic devices
- Better understanding of how pathogens persist in food processing environments
The outcome of our studies will be available in: https://holifoodproject.eu/
For the future, we hope to see this research move forward and:
- Apply the knowledge about pathogen persistence to redesign processing environments that minimize contamination
- Establish testing protocols that combine both targeted and untargeted methods for comprehensive hazard detection.
Future-Proofing Food: Transforming Risk Analysis for a better and more adaptive food system
Ongoing | 2022-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Austria, France, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Austria, United Kingdom