The 38th EFFoST International Conference 2024 in Bruges served as a global stage for innovation and collaboration in food science. Among a full 2.5 day programme with over 180 parallel sessions, there was a special session co-organized by the FoodDataQuest EU project and its sister initiative, Data4Food2030, under the theme “Data as an Enabler of Sustainable Food Systems.”
This special session highlighted the role of data in transforming food systems, featuring five presentations:
• Data and Digital Innovation in Agri-Food Systems: How to Shape the Data Economy for Food
Presented by Cor Verdouw (Wageningen University & Research), this talk explored how emerging digital technologies like IoT, AI, and Digital Twins are driving the transition towards a data-driven agri-food economy.
• AgData Interoperability – Towards a European Data Space
Eva Maes (ILVO) discussed the technical and operational challenges of developing Common European Agricultural Data Spaces, emphasizing the benefits of interoperable platforms for farmers, industry players, and policymakers.
• AI-Based Benchmarking for Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Quantification in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
Xuezhen Guo (Wageningen University & Research) presented innovative AI tools used to benchmark FLW data, providing scalable, cost-effective solutions to address food waste challenges.
• Practical Applications of Generative AI in Behavior Science
Jos van den Puttelaar (Wageningen University & Research) demonstrated how generative AI can design dynamic, personalized interventions to promote sustainable food consumption, while addressing the challenges of scalability and inclusivity.
• Balancing Act: Privacy Calculus and AI Transparency in Personalized Food Choices
Houkje Adema (Wageningen University & Research) explored the intersection of AI-driven personalization and consumer privacy, offering insights into balancing benefits with ethical and legal considerations.
The session highlighted FoodDataQuest’ s dedication to using data and digital innovation to build smarter, more sustainable food systems. The discussions focused on how interoperability, AI tools, and consumer trust play a key role in driving data-driven solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
Additionally, FoodDataQuest participated in the EU collaboration corner during the event, a dedicated space where EU projects are being showcased.
As FoodDataQuest moves forward, its influence continues to grow through initiatives like this session. Stay updated on the project’s progress by visiting fooddataquest.eu and following us on social media for the latest publications and events as we work together to build a more sustainable food future.
Each year the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) organises this prestigious academic food science and technology conference. Join world-renowned researchers, scientists, policy makers, professionals and students from multi-disciplinary food-related fields to share the latest developments and create new partnerships.
