FoodDataQuest took part in the TITAN x Data4Food2030 Conference, held on 17–18 June 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. The event focused on how digital innovation and data can support more sustainable, transparent, and resilient food systems, with sessions covering topics ranging from food safety and traceability to data governance and artificial intelligence.
Throughout the conference, FoodDataQuest partners shared results from different areas of the project, demonstrating how trusted data sharing can support better decision-making across the food system.
The first contribution, presented by Kata Kerekes (Syreon Research Institute), explored the role of artificial intelligence in the agri-food sector. While AI has significant potential to improve food safety, nutrition, and innovation, the presentation highlighted that these technologies rely on access to high-quality data. The work showed that fragmented datasets, limited interoperability, and concerns around data ownership and privacy continue to be major barriers. Creating value for stakeholders and building trust remain essential for enabling wider adoption of AI across the food system.
The second presentation, delivered by Xuelin Zhang (ILVO), focused on the importance of data governance for consumer trust. As digital tools become increasingly common, consumers are asking important questions about who owns their data, how it is used, and whether they have meaningful control over it. The presentation demonstrated how governance frameworks can provide greater transparency and accountability, helping consumers engage more confidently with digital food services. Examples from both FoodDataQuest and the SPOON project illustrated how governance can turn data into a resource that supports informed and sustainable food choices.
FoodDataQuest’s third presentation, given by Esther van Parys (ILVO), introduced a dual-dashboard approach designed to support both businesses and consumers. Using the milk and pork supply chains as examples, the work demonstrated how information from multiple sources can be combined to improve sustainability reporting, support purchasing decisions, and provide evidence for environmental claims. The presentation also introduced the DJustConnect platform, which enables secure and trusted data exchange between farmers, businesses, and other actors through a shared marketplace and governance framework.
Although the presentations covered different topics, they shared a common message: digital technologies alone are not enough to transform food systems. Trust, clear governance, interoperability, and collaboration are equally important to ensure that data can be shared responsibly and used to generate value for everyone involved.
The conference provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers, policymakers, technology developers, and industry representatives, while showcasing how FoodDataQuest is contributing to the development of fair, trusted, and data-driven food systems across Europe.
