Earlier this month, EXCEL4MED took part in the IAFP European Symposium on Food Safety 2025, held in Madrid (Spain), from 6-8 May.

Known as one of the most respected gatherings of food safety professionals in Europe, the Symposium brought together experts from academia, industry and government to explore innovative developments and share knowledge shaping the future of food systems.

A platform for food safety and innovation

Since 2005, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) has hosted this annual European event to promote the exchange of ideas and best practices around food safety.

The 2025 edition continued this tradition, featuring roundtables, technical sessions and networking opportunities for food scientists and policymakers.

Representing EXCEL4MED, our Project Coordinator, Prof. Vasilis Valdramidis (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) actively engaged in discussions and sessions focused on food resilience, sustainability and innovation.

The event offered a valuable space to present our project’s goals and achievements, particularly its work in reducing food waste and enhancing food system sustainability across the Mediterranean.

Strengthening strategic partnerships: EXCEL4MED meets FunShield4Med

A highlight of EXCEL4MED’s participation was the opportunity to reconnect with Dr. Natskoulis Pantelis, coordinator of FunShield4Med: another Horizon Europe-funded initiative focused on food safety.

The meeting underscored the potential for meaningful collaboration between the two projects.

FunShield4Med aims to enhance the scientific excellence of Greece’s Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products (ITAP), part of our Greek partner ELGO-DIMITRA, in the field of food safety, specifically against mycotoxigenic spoilage fungi and mycotoxins, which are increasingly influenced by climate change.

Similar to EXCEL4MED, FunShield4Med is building capacity, transferring knowledge and creating new research alliances through a strong international consortium.

Together, EXCEL4MED and FunShield4Med share a vision of fostering safer, more sustainable food systems by addressing both environmental and biological threats.

Our exchange at IAFP highlighted the importance of strategic synergies in expanding the impact of EU-funded research and innovation!