Food Safety Matters

Ep. 61. EFSA: Creating Food Safety’s Future in the EU

Dr. Marta Hugas, Ph.D., is the chief scientist for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In this role, Marta oversees the development of EFSA's scientific strategic direction, manages scientific matters, facilitates the understanding of science, fosters scientific cooperation, and leverages connections and networks to promote EFSA's research priorities.

Since joining EFSA in 2003, Marta has led the agency's Biological Hazards Unit, the Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Department, and the Biological Hazards and Contaminants Unit.

Before joining EFSA, Marta worked for the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology in Spain where she was head of the Food Microbiology and Biotechnology Unit. There, she led a research group on applied research on meat and food safety.

Marta earned her bachelor's degree in biological sciences, a Master's degree in genetics and microbial biotechnology, as well as a Ph.D. in food microbiology.

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In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Marta [19:35] about:

Identifying the needs and gaps that shaped the agency's plans for the next 5–10 years.
The Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe initiatives
Relying on more alternative and sustainable production systems for future food safety success
Balancing and improving risk and assessment with new innovations in the food industry
Involving various subject matter experts when exploring a new food safety question or issue
Working toward climate neutrality
The importance of communicating all research and data to the public, even when that information can be difficult for the general public to comprehend
The Eurobarometer consumer survey
The three ingredients of risk assessment
EFSA's partnerships, grants, and procurements

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