The 38th EFFoST International Conference 2024, held in Bruges, brought together over 800 delegates from around the world to share the latest developments in food science and technology. The event lasted 2.5 days and focused on new research and partnerships to tackle major challenges in food systems. It also provided a great opportunity for EU-funded projects to present their findings and build connections through the EU Collaboration Corner and dedicated Special sessions.
One highlight was a special session led by Data4Food2030, in collaboration with the FoodDataQuest EU project. The theme, “Data as an Enabler of Sustainable Food Systems,” focused on how data can drive sustainable solutions. Cor Verdouw (Wageningen University & Research) discussed how new digital technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Twins can help create a data-driven agri-food economy. Eva Maes (ILVO) talked about the challenges of building Common European Agricultural Data Spaces and how interoperable platforms can benefit everyone in the food sector. Xuezhen Guo (Wageningen University & Research) presented AI tools that help track food loss and waste, offering affordable solutions to reduce this global problem. Jos van den Puttelaar (Wageningen University & Research) showed how AI can be used to design personalized, sustainable food choices while addressing challenges with scaling. The session ended with Houkje Adema (Wageningen University & Research) discussing the balance between AI-powered personalization and consumer privacy, suggesting ways to address ethical and legal issues.
In addition to the special session, Data4Food2030 also participated in the EU Collaboration Corner, a space where EU-funded projects can showcase their work and form new partnerships. Held every year by the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST), the conference continues to be a key event for researchers, policymakers, and professionals to work together on improving food science and technology.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
