Hong Kong and EU universities partner for food safety centre
Lund University (LU) already had an agreement with PolyU but the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the University of Bologna (Unibo) have become partners in the Joint Centre of Excellence in Food Safety.
The four universities will tackle antimicrobial resistance, food authenticity and safe packaging.
They will attempt to improve industry, academic and government collaborations and look at science and technology that can be translated into applications to ensure safe food.
LU, DTU and Unibo are FoodNexus partners. FoodNexus is a European consortium of multinational companies and SME’s covering 12 countries.
“Food safety is an issue of increasing global concern, and by collaborating, key actors in Europe and China will create greater synergies. All of us collaborating parties share the same vision and commitment in addressing the most imminent global food safety challenges,” they said.
“In addition, the establishment of the centre is also a step in opening up for more collaboration between Europe and APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.”
Christine Nellemann, director of the DTU National food Institute, Bengt Streijffert, senior advisor at Lund University and Patrizia Brigidi, rector’s delegate for European Research, University of Bologna made the comments as representatives of FoodNexus partners.
Initial forum
PolyU hosted the first Global Food Safety and Technology Forum (GFSTF) in February this year and created the centre of excellence with LU.
The event was co-organized with the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), Lund University, DTU and University of California, Davis (UC Davis).
"The academia possesses technical expertise to effectively explore solutions with the industry. Without understanding what is required by the industry, it would be difficult for us to ensure what we develop could be of real application and value," said co-chair Professor Wing-tak Wong.
Professor Terence Lok-ting Lau, chair of the organizing and program committee, said following the event it would compile a food safety technology needs assessment report to shape research and development in the next three to five years.
“We believe that through pragmatic communications and exchange, all stakeholders will be able to share and construct a roadmap towards safer foods for the community.”
A second conference, named GoFood, organized by LU and DTU with the support of PolyU and Unibo will be held in Lund and Copenhagen in May 2017.
