Food safety research
WUR conducts high-quality independent research on safe and reliable food and feed. We look at harmful substances including plant protection products, medicine residues, natural toxins and organic contaminants such as PFAS, as well as microbial and viral contamination. Our job is to analyse products for the occurrence of such substances, monitor trends in the food production chain, identify and investigate new risks, keep analysis methods up to date and check food for authenticity.
Focus areas
Food and feed safety in the circular production system
Food and feed production is now largely linear, with many raw material losses. Circular chains should reduce these by reusing by-products as raw materials. However, this can create new or displaced food safety risks, making early research during the transition to circular systems essential.
Safety of alternative proteins in food and feed
The Dutch government wants to shift consumers' protein consumption from the current ratio of 40% vegetable and 60% animal to 50/50 by 2030. After 2030, a further shift to 60% vegetable and 40% animal protein is targeted. In this context, several alternative protein sources are being researched and developed, such as cultured meat, insects, single-cell proteins and plant-based proteins.
Safety of food and feed production in a changing environment
We study how changes in the physical environment of the food production system, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, affect the safety of food and animal feed. In addition, we examine how the system can adapt to maintain a high level of food safety.
Food and feed safety in the circular production system
Food and feed production is now largely linear, with many raw material losses. Circular chains should reduce these by reusing by-products as raw materials. However, this can create new or displaced food safety risks, making early research during the transition to circular systems essential.
Safety of alternative proteins in food and feed
The Dutch government wants to shift consumers' protein consumption from the current ratio of 40% vegetable and 60% animal to 50/50 by 2030. After 2030, a further shift to 60% vegetable and 40% animal protein is targeted. In this context, several alternative protein sources are being researched and developed, such as cultured meat, insects, single-cell proteins and plant-based proteins.
Safety of food and feed production in a changing environment
We study how changes in the physical environment of the food production system, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, affect the safety of food and animal feed. In addition, we examine how the system can adapt to maintain a high level of food safety.
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Food safety research
See also
At Wageningen University & Research, fundamental research is carried out by our chair groups.
Food safety research is one of eight domains in which Wageningen University & Research seeks collaboration with partners.
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