RAFA 2026 Final program
Book of
abstracts
In line with the concept of the previous events, RAFA 2026
Symposium
will
provide an overview
of contemporary trends in the ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD
QUALITY
AND
SAFETY CONTROL and discuss the CHALLENGES AND NOVEL APPROACHES IN
FOOD
AND NATURAL PRODUCTS
ANALYSIS. Following tentative RECENT & EMERGING ISSUES
will be
addressed in the RAFA 2026
sessions:
Vibrational spectroscopy, including Near-Infrared (NIR), Mid-Infrared (MIR) and Raman
spectroscopy, has become the most widely used non-destructive analytical approach in the food
and feed sectors. Its high sample throughput, ability to determine multiple quality parameters
in a single analysis, minimal sample preparation and potential for at-line, on-line and
laboratory applications make these techniques highly attractive for routine quality and safety
control. The workshop will introduce the basic principles and instrumentation of NIR, MIR and
Raman spectroscopy, followed by an overview of chemometric approaches required for the effective
interpretation of spectroscopic data. Particular attention will be given to the role of
vibrational spectroscopy combined with chemometrics in addressing current challenges in the
agri-food sector, including quality assessment, detection of non-conformity, authentication, and
the identification of targeted and untargeted adulterants and contaminants. Invited
contributions will further illustrate current developments and practical applications of these
technologies. The workshop is designed for participants interested in the principles,
instrumentation and practical use of vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics for food and feed
analysis, quality control and safety assessment.
Pre-registration is recommended HERE
This workshop will address advanced strategies for the processing, integration and interpretation of
complex data generated in food analysis. The programme will cover current workflows, methodological
challenges and emerging computational approaches, including foundation models, transfer learning and
explainable artificial intelligence. Selected applications will demonstrate how these approaches can
support the identification of emerging food system risks, improve cross-experiment learning in
untargeted mass spectrometry, and enable more robust interpretation of chemical signatures related
to lipid oxidation, food authenticity and aroma profiling.
Pre-registration is not needed
Interactive demonstration of general approaches to fast development and troubleshooting in
laboratory focused on food quality and safety control will be provided. The moderators will
introduce interesting real-life case studies with various conceivable scenarios for each step in
the method development (including both sample preparation and instrumental analysis) and/or for
each troubleshooting problem. Attendees will be invited to identify the most suitable solution
using an anonymous online voting; discussion about each presented option will follow. Attendees
will have a possibility to check their knowledge, present their experience and, last but not
least, win special prizes by participating in a short quiz.
Pre-registration is recommended HERE
Organized by AOAC INTERNATIONAL, AOAC Europe Section and ILSI Europe, this session bridges the
gap between advanced analytical chemistry and practical food safety governance by introducing a
question-driven framework for method selection. Using real-world case studies of chemical
contaminants and food allergens, industry experts will demonstrate and discuss how to align
testing with risk assessment requirements to ensure data is truly fit for purpose.
Pre-registration is not needed
The workshop will focus on sharing practical insights, key accomplishments, and current
challenges faced by EU Reference Laboratories. Participants will explore best practices,
innovative approaches, and issues related to harmonization across member states. The sessions
will also provide a platform for discussion, collaboration, and identifying future opportunities
for strengthening this essential European infrastructure.
Pre-registration is not needed
The workshop will provide an overview of opportunities for food scientists to participate in the
Horizon Europe programme. This workshop will be organised as a side event of RAFA 2026. It
explores collaboration opportunities and innovation support offered by EIT Food, including
programmes dedicated to students, start-ups, researchers and innovators. The workshop also
presents examples of EIT-supported projects and activities, as well as projects and initiatives
within the European Research Area.
This workshop is organised as a side event of RAFA 2026.
PROGRAM of the workshop
For FREE registration please follow this link - ACCESS IS ALLOWED ALSO TO ALL WHO ARE NOT
REGISTERED FOR PARTICIPATION AT RAFA 2026: https://geform.tc.cz/RAFAworkshop2026
Food authenticity fraud, from adulterated honey and olive oil to species substitution in fish and
meat, remains one of the most persistent challenges facing food control laboratories,
regulators, and industry across Europe. This session, organized under the European Food Fraud
Community of Practice (EFF-CoP) project, brings the RAFA 2026 community together to
examine what
is genuinely standing in the way of better detection, and what could close that gap within the
next two years.
Rather than a conventional presentation, the session uses live, interactive polling and open
floor discussion to draw directly on the expertise of attending analytical scientists, food
safety laboratories, control authorities, and industry representatives. It is the second of
three Living Lab activities delivered under EFF-CoP's, with outcomes feeding into the project's
forthcoming exploitation strategy for the wider food authenticity community.
Pre-registration is recommended HERE
As part of the workshop Opportunities to collaborate in a European research and innovation area, opportunities for international research collaboration within Horizon Europe will be explored, including potential cooperation in the field of plant protein concentrates for food production. The initiative aims to encourage international research collaboration and knowledge exchange, particularly in the areas of protein quality, technological applications, flavour characteristics, and analytical assessment of plant-based foods. Related scientific topics will also be addressed in selected presentations within the RAFA 2026 scientific programme: