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.
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.
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.
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.
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, for free.
This interactive Living Lab session is organised within the Horizon Europe project EFF-CoP and
focuses on innovative participatory approaches for strengthening food fraud prevention,
monitoring and control across the agri-food chain.
The session will introduce the EFF-CoP social co-innovation methodology, a community-based and
multi-stakeholder approach designed to improve knowledge exchange, collaborative learning and
upskilling among actors involved in food authenticity and integrity. Through interactive
activities and stakeholder engagement exercises, participants will explore practical tools,
emerging challenges and collaborative solutions related to food fraud prevention. The Living Lab
aims to foster dialogue among researchers, laboratories, industry representatives, authorities,
certification bodies and other food system stakeholders, promoting collective action and
cross-sector cooperation. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute experiences,
identify needs and co-create recommendations for future practices and capacity-building actions
in the field of food integrity.
The session forms part of EFF-CoP Work Package 5 activities and represents one of the project’s
follow-up Living Labs implemented during major international events.