Food Safety - Multiple lines of approach

Food quality is a notion that is not easy to define. In the end, it is about expectations of and acceptance by consumers, and about standards and regulations set by producers, manufacturers and the government. Factors such as appearance, texture, taste and nutritional value are, therefore, important. However, food should be safe. Although much has been achieved in the past to ensure that our food is safe, new developments and new threats must be addressed.

Foreign bodies are a major source of customer complaints for many food manufacturers, retailers and enforcement authorities. Foreign bodies can be defined as undesirable solid objects in food, and range from items such as glass, metal fragments and insects, to food-related items such as bones, which may pose a threat to human health. New developments in this field, aimed at better prevention as well as effective detection, contribute to overall food quality and safety.

Traditionally, much attention also has been paid to microbiological and chemical food safety issues. And, although our food can be characterized as generally safe in these respects, we cannot allow ourselves to distract our attention from this matter. For instance, new diagnostic methods allow detection at lower levels. A more detailed analysis, for example, of subspecies of microorganisms, is fast becoming a standard procedure. However, new promising technologies, such as nanotechnology, bring along uncertainties with respect to various safety issues. New threats, such as emerging food pathogens, also need to be dealt with. In addition, legislation seems to get more demanding.

Nowadays, food safety is also about allergenicity and intolerances. There is a growing demand for foods that account for these hypersensitivities. Furthermore, the appearance of food and feed items that contain or consist of genetically modified organisms, or are produced from genetically modified organisms, has prompted initiatives focused on safety concerns and controversies about the possible presence of allergens and toxins in these products and the development of antibiotic resistance.

While consumers demand high quality, convenient products that offer natural flavor and taste, and very much appreciate the fresh appearance of minimally processed food, the safety of these products must not be compromised. Furthermore, innovations in food packaging recognize this as an important issue, which impacts not only shelf life, cost reduction and sustainability, but food safety, as well.

These elements all pose an enormous challenge for the agro-food industry - with lots of opportunities for innovation! Research and development on food quality and safety are well embedded within the Dutch Food Valley. The following examples illustrate some of the variety of knowledge and innovative power on safety matters that are present within the research institutes and companies in the Netherlands. Joint initiatives of various industrial and scientific partners have often contributed to these successes.

If you are interested in what the Netherlands may contribute in addressing your food safety questions and ideas, please contact us.

About NFIA

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency facilitates direct investments of foreign companies in the Netherlands through its network of offices in North America, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, India, the Gulf Region, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The NFIA has helped more than 5,300 foreign companies initiate or expand operations in the Netherlands, accounting for almost 550,000 jobs.

The NFIA is an operational unit of the EVD, the agency for international business and cooperation, which in turn is part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. As a government agency, the NFIA provides information and practical assistance free of charge. All its services are provided on a confidential basis. These include providing insight and data with regard to site selection and logistics strategies; intensive, personal guidance on such matters as available incentives, permit procedures and tax structures.

The NFIA has U.S. offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City (headquarters office) and San Francisco.

Contact Details:
www.nfia.com

About Food Valley

Knowledge, business sense and innovation are the key factors for success. Food Valley brings them together. The goal? To quickly unlock the unlimited innovative power of the Dutch agro-food sector. How? By promoting R&D with a business focus, Food Valley merges entrepreneurship and research. New questions lead to new answers and applications. Competitiveness is boosted. Our multidisciplinary network facilitates matchmaking and the creation of innovative projects. Find out more about the Food Valley creed!

Contact Details:
www.foodvalley.nl

About Food & Nutrition Delta

Food & Nutrition Delta is a Dutch program aimed at establishing the Netherlands as the premiere European region for innovation in food and nutrition. Utilizing an integrated approach, this program is designed to create networks, competencies and technologies leading to new business opportunities for the entire food industry, particularly for SMEs. Ultimately, the goal is to develop new or enhanced food products that will meet consumer needs and, when combined with recommended changes in eating and lifestyle patterns, will positively contribute to public health and quality of life.

Contact Details:
www.foodnutritiondelta.nl