Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FoodTraNet (Advanced research and Training Network in Food quality, safety and security)
Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2025-04-30
Ensuring food security, safety, and quality has never been more complex and will become increasingly challenging as the food industry adapts to demographic and environmental pressures and a fragmented global market. Given the industry’s size and complexity, it faces many challenges, including food (in)security, increased food fraud, food safety, quality (authenticity) issues, food waste, requirements to improve the population’s nutrition and health, and shifting consumer preferences. Moreover, a noticeable gap remains between research capability and industry uptake of potential solutions. This gap persists across multiple food supply, production, and distribution chains, which lack uniform approaches for addressing such issues. Instead, each sector relies on ad hoc, disparate, and often outdated methods.
FoodTraNet is a multidisciplinary network providing high-level intersectoral training in emerging techniques, including mass spectrometry (MS), to a new generation of high-achieving early-stage researchers (ESRs). FoodTraNet will equip them with analytical, technological, decision-making, translational, and leadership skills vital for careers in a rapidly evolving field that drives innovation across disciplines, meeting the future needs of academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.
FoodTraNet is a multidisciplinary network providing high-level intersectoral training in emerging techniques, including mass spectrometry (MS), to a new generation of high-achieving early-stage researchers (ESRs). FoodTraNet will equip them with analytical, technological, decision-making, translational, and leadership skills vital for careers in a rapidly evolving field that drives innovation across disciplines, meeting the future needs of academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.
FoodTraNet has made significant progress in advancing food safety, quality, and traceability through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Key achievements include:
- Integration of Advanced Analytical Platforms: A unified analytical platform was established across partner institutions, harmonizing complementary MS-based techniques, including IRMS, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, HRMS, and MSI. These optimized methods supported the characterization of food contaminants, authenticity markers, and bioactive compounds. Stable isotope and multi-elemental profiling enabled effective differentiation between organic and conventional foods and assessment of geographic origin. A novel LC-MS/MS method allowed the simultaneous quantification of pesticides and mycotoxins in bee pollen, improving food safety assessments. The project also pioneered non-targeted screening workflows using HRMS to detect emerging contaminants, supporting comprehensive exposure assessments. MALDI and MALDI-2 MSI were used to map molecular markers in complex matrices such as mushrooms, plant-based food, leaves and aquatic organisms, supporting applications such as microplastic detection and food authenticity through compositional profiling.
- Creation and Upgrading of Research Databases: Robust, accessible databases were developed or expanded, including IsoFoodTrack (www.isofoodtrack.ijs.si) a comparative database of bioactive compounds in organic vs. conventional foods, and a repository of emerging contaminants detected using non-target screening, supporting risk assessment and regulatory readiness.
- Data Integration and Multivariate Analysis: Multivariate analysis with machine learning enhanced data interpretation, enabling robust classification and traceability models.
- Valorization of Alternative Food Sources and Sustainability: Functional and alternative food sources were explored, including developing bioactive-enriched cheeses, safety assessments of edible insects and plant-based foods, and alpine herbs as sustainable feed additives. Environmental research addressed micro/nanoplastics’ interactions with pesticides and plants and the reuse of treated wastewater for crops.
- Technological Innovations in Food Safety and Packaging: Innovations included edible photonic barcodes for real-time quality monitoring, fluorescent nano-sensors and gas sensors for pesticide residue and spoilage detection, smart polymers for selective extraction of contaminants, and bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial packaging, demonstrating the intersection of nanotechnology and material science.
- Consumer Engagement and Trust-Building: Digital platforms and participatory communication strategies were developed to improve consumer understanding of food authenticity and sustainable production.
Dissemination and exploitation: Efforts included a dynamic training programme for 15 ESRs, participation in 36 international conferences, and diverse public engagement tools. ESRs participated in 36 international conferences across 15 countries, delivering 55 presentations, resulting in several awards. Outputs included 22 ESR blogs, four newsletters, a project brochure and poster, and a series of podcasts covering topics on mass spectrometry and insights from industrial partners. The project also produced a promotional video and educational tools, such as a children’s food quiz and an e-learning module on advanced statistics. Public engagement was further enhanced through participation in EU Researchers’ Nights, Open Days, and the MSCA Coordinators Info Day.
- Integration of Advanced Analytical Platforms: A unified analytical platform was established across partner institutions, harmonizing complementary MS-based techniques, including IRMS, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, HRMS, and MSI. These optimized methods supported the characterization of food contaminants, authenticity markers, and bioactive compounds. Stable isotope and multi-elemental profiling enabled effective differentiation between organic and conventional foods and assessment of geographic origin. A novel LC-MS/MS method allowed the simultaneous quantification of pesticides and mycotoxins in bee pollen, improving food safety assessments. The project also pioneered non-targeted screening workflows using HRMS to detect emerging contaminants, supporting comprehensive exposure assessments. MALDI and MALDI-2 MSI were used to map molecular markers in complex matrices such as mushrooms, plant-based food, leaves and aquatic organisms, supporting applications such as microplastic detection and food authenticity through compositional profiling.
- Creation and Upgrading of Research Databases: Robust, accessible databases were developed or expanded, including IsoFoodTrack (www.isofoodtrack.ijs.si) a comparative database of bioactive compounds in organic vs. conventional foods, and a repository of emerging contaminants detected using non-target screening, supporting risk assessment and regulatory readiness.
- Data Integration and Multivariate Analysis: Multivariate analysis with machine learning enhanced data interpretation, enabling robust classification and traceability models.
- Valorization of Alternative Food Sources and Sustainability: Functional and alternative food sources were explored, including developing bioactive-enriched cheeses, safety assessments of edible insects and plant-based foods, and alpine herbs as sustainable feed additives. Environmental research addressed micro/nanoplastics’ interactions with pesticides and plants and the reuse of treated wastewater for crops.
- Technological Innovations in Food Safety and Packaging: Innovations included edible photonic barcodes for real-time quality monitoring, fluorescent nano-sensors and gas sensors for pesticide residue and spoilage detection, smart polymers for selective extraction of contaminants, and bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial packaging, demonstrating the intersection of nanotechnology and material science.
- Consumer Engagement and Trust-Building: Digital platforms and participatory communication strategies were developed to improve consumer understanding of food authenticity and sustainable production.
Dissemination and exploitation: Efforts included a dynamic training programme for 15 ESRs, participation in 36 international conferences, and diverse public engagement tools. ESRs participated in 36 international conferences across 15 countries, delivering 55 presentations, resulting in several awards. Outputs included 22 ESR blogs, four newsletters, a project brochure and poster, and a series of podcasts covering topics on mass spectrometry and insights from industrial partners. The project also produced a promotional video and educational tools, such as a children’s food quiz and an e-learning module on advanced statistics. Public engagement was further enhanced through participation in EU Researchers’ Nights, Open Days, and the MSCA Coordinators Info Day.
Scientific and Technological Advancements
FoodTraNet advanced the state of the art by delivering cutting-edge analytical solutions combining HRMS, chemometrics, and advanced imaging technologies. It pioneered novel approaches to detect contaminants, authenticate food, and monitor food quality using ultra-sensitive detection platforms and innovative workflows. These included comprehensive spectral databases, spatially-resolved food analysis protocols using imaging MS, and integrating multi-omics data, offering unprecedented insight into food composition, contamination pathways, and degradation mechanisms, exceeding traditional methods in superior sensitivity, resolution, and scope.
Innovation and Market Potential
The project enabled breakthrough technologies with strong market potential, such as edible microlasers for product tagging, intelligent nano-sensors for spoilage detection, and sustainable smart packaging to enhance shelf life and traceability. These innovations address urgent food safety needs and have cross-sector applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and smart materials. Anticipated outcomes include validated prototypes, new analytical standard operating procedures, expanded food fingerprinting datasets, and improved research–industry interoperability. The project yielded 55 peer-reviewed publications, one patent, and strong citation metrics. As of April 2025, seven ESRs defended their theses (two summa cum laude), two have submitted, five are finalizing, and one withdrew.
Impact and Societal Relevance
FoodTraNet supports high-tech SME growth and industrial innovation aligned with green and digital transitions. It fostered public engagement through outreach, educational tools, podcasts, and special events. Its outputs will improve food safety, empower consumers through transparent supply chains, and assist regulators with robust, science-based tools, leading to improved public health. The interdisciplinary training of ESRs will ensure a new generation of experts with cross-sector employability, reinforce EU leadership in food research and innovation, support the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies, and enhance the resilience and sustainability of global food systems through science, technology, and multi-sector cooperation.
FoodTraNet advanced the state of the art by delivering cutting-edge analytical solutions combining HRMS, chemometrics, and advanced imaging technologies. It pioneered novel approaches to detect contaminants, authenticate food, and monitor food quality using ultra-sensitive detection platforms and innovative workflows. These included comprehensive spectral databases, spatially-resolved food analysis protocols using imaging MS, and integrating multi-omics data, offering unprecedented insight into food composition, contamination pathways, and degradation mechanisms, exceeding traditional methods in superior sensitivity, resolution, and scope.
Innovation and Market Potential
The project enabled breakthrough technologies with strong market potential, such as edible microlasers for product tagging, intelligent nano-sensors for spoilage detection, and sustainable smart packaging to enhance shelf life and traceability. These innovations address urgent food safety needs and have cross-sector applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and smart materials. Anticipated outcomes include validated prototypes, new analytical standard operating procedures, expanded food fingerprinting datasets, and improved research–industry interoperability. The project yielded 55 peer-reviewed publications, one patent, and strong citation metrics. As of April 2025, seven ESRs defended their theses (two summa cum laude), two have submitted, five are finalizing, and one withdrew.
Impact and Societal Relevance
FoodTraNet supports high-tech SME growth and industrial innovation aligned with green and digital transitions. It fostered public engagement through outreach, educational tools, podcasts, and special events. Its outputs will improve food safety, empower consumers through transparent supply chains, and assist regulators with robust, science-based tools, leading to improved public health. The interdisciplinary training of ESRs will ensure a new generation of experts with cross-sector employability, reinforce EU leadership in food research and innovation, support the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies, and enhance the resilience and sustainability of global food systems through science, technology, and multi-sector cooperation.