Save the date! EFSA’s “Safe Food, One Future Conference” 2027
25 years of science. Looking ahead.
Parma, Italy and Online | September 29 to October 1, 2027
Since 2002, EFSA has served as the trusted provider of independent scientific advice and risk assessmentA specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation, ensuring safety across the EU food chain.
Over the past 25 years, food systems have faced many challenges - from climate change and zoonoticA term given to diseases and infections that can be transmitted between animals and humans diseases to antimicrobial resistanceThe ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) to survive exposure to antimicrobials. This phenomenon, driven largely by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents (e.g. antibiotics, fungicides used as plant protection agents, etc), makes infections harder to treat and poses a significant threat to public health. and emerging risks - and EFSA, together with partners and stakeholders across Europe and the world, has evolved to protect the health of European citizens.
In September 2027, scientific experts, policy makers and members of the food safety community will gather in Parma, Italy, for the “Safe Food, One Future Conference” marking the agency’s 25th anniversary and the launch of its new Strategy 2034.
The event will take place in Parma, host city of EFSA, at the heart of Italy’s Food Valley. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, it has provided an ideal setting for EFSA's work and showed continuous support for its mission.
“Twenty-five years of science and cooperation have made our food safer and yet the future of food safety will depend on how well we anticipate change, embrace innovation and work together. This conference is an opportunity to bring science, ideas and people together to help shape what comes next.” Nikolaus Kriz, EFSA’s Executive Director
Objectives
During the three-day event, we will look back at EFSA’s evolution and impact, share achievements and reflect on key collaborations with the EU institutions, Member States and the EFSA scientific community. We will also look ahead to new opportunities and challenges for food safety and risk assessment, and how to introduce innovation while protecting people, animals and the environment.
The EFSA Strategy 2034 will be presented at the event and the outcome of discussions and contributions from participants and stakeholders will support its implementation over the 2028-2034 period.
Key Themes | Where are we today and what lies ahead?
Inspired by the main themes inEFSA needs for scientific excellence and regulatory readinesspublished today, we are bringing together the best scientific minds and policy experts to help us find ways to:
- Achieve sustainable innovation and competitiveness while tackling new challenges and opportunities.
- Stay up to date with methodological and technical advances in regulatory science.
- Effectively integrate sustainability and One Healthintegrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems in risk assessment.
- Evolve preparedness and rapid response to new emerging risks.
- Further integrate risk communicationThe interactive exchange of information and opinions throughout the risk analysis process, including the explanation of risk assessment findings and the basis of risk management decisions. The levels of interactive exchange include: the dissemination of public information about risks to consumers or other affected groups; the dialogue within and between risk assessment and risk management; engagement with interested parties affected by risk analysis outcomes. and social sciencesA branch of science that refers to the study of human behaviour, and its interplay with social and cultural aspects. Typically, it encompasses disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, and political science. Evidence and expertise from social science is used by EFSA to support its communication of risk from farm to fork; evolve its research methods and capability; and back its organisational agility. into risk assessment.
- Make efficient and trustworthy use of data, digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence.
Key dates
December 2026: Programme launch
January 2027: Opening of registration
Keep an eye on the conference page to learn more and send us your contact details by clicking the register button if you wish to be notified as more information becomes available.