The CATALYSE project will create a network of food safety actors with the aim to support adoption of knowledge and innovative solutions along the value chain. The network will foster collaboration and food safety knowledge sharing in a model that collects and then translates knowledge and practices across our community through active education and facilitation. 

Ensuring food safety remains critical within the food sector, essential for safeguarding consumers against harmful contaminants. Yet, as industrial processes evolve and control measures advance, the dissemination of innovative practices encounters fresh hurdles among food system stakeholders. Despite significant research strides in recent years, persistent barriers challenging seamless knowledge exchange, impeding the pace of innovation in food safety. Overcoming these challenges requires a united, interdisciplinary approach, wherein industry, regulators, and researchers collaborate to delineate food safety priorities and streamline the adoption of innovative solutions. 

The project aims to bridge the gap between end users, innovators, practitioners, trainers, and regulators by facilitating communication among these parties while matching practical needs with innovative solutions. Throughout networking initiatives, the project will establish key priorities for forthcoming endeavors, offer comprehensive education and training in food safety, and extend support to startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry. Furthermore, a repository of data pertaining to food safety innovations and practices will be accessible via an open-access platform, facilitating widespread dissemination and knowledge sharing. 

Education and facilitation will serve as cornerstone activities in bolstering innovation and managing change effectively, thereby ensuring the successful implementation of newly designed solutions and their uptake by the food safety authorities of member states. 

CATALYSE will forge a community of practice, linking stakeholders across the entire value chain. Through this platform, the exchange of ideas will be crucial, fostering resilience, sustainability, and equity within our community – catalysing scientific innovation into food safety action. 

EFFoST is a proud partner of this new project and will contribute to partner project management and coordination, as well as leading the communication and dissemination activities of the project developments and set up recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.

For more information about CATALYSE and its activities find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.