RAFA 2026

Scientific programme

In line with the concept of the previous events, RAFA 2026 Symposium will provide an overview of contemporary trends in the ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discuss the CHALLENGES AND NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS. Following tentative RECENT & EMERGING ISSUES will be addressed in the RAFA 2026 sessions:

Alternative proteins
Biologically active compounds
Environmental contaminants
Flavour & off-flavours
Food additives, flavourings
Food allergens
Healthy nutrients & vitamins
Metals & metalloids, including their speciation
Micro- and nanoplastics in food
Migrants from food packaging materials
Mycotoxins, plant alkaloids and other natural toxins
Pesticide & veterinary drug residues
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Process induced contaminants
Psychoactive and psychomodulation compounds

Artificial Intelligence in food analysis
Exposomics & Human biomonitoring
Food authenticity, fraud and forensics
Food legislation requirements for food control
Illegal and natural food supplements
(Multi)omics in food analysis
NAMs (New Approach Methodologies)
Next generation effect-based analysis & Bioassays
Next generation sequencing for food quality and safety
Novel analytical approaches
QA/QC, Chemometrics & Big data handling
Sensors & Portable food analysis
Sharing is caring: making tools and databases available for analytical food research
Sustainability & Green food analysis

INVITED SPEAKERS

The list will be announced soon.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

Ample space reserved in the main program for oral presentations given by young researchers
Award(s) for the best poster presentation(s)
RAFA 2026 competitive travel grants for young scientists

SATELLITE EVENTS, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Workshops on novel challenges:

Workshop on “Vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics”
Experts from the Walloon Agricultural Research Center in Belgium will organize traditional workshop designed to equip participants with basic and advanced knowledge in vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics.
Workshop on “Smart data handling and AI in food analysis”

Interactive seminar – Be active and learn from each other:

Step by step strategies for a fast development of smart analytical methods
Interactive demonstration of general approaches to fast development and troubleshooting in laboratory focused on food quality and safety control will be provided. The moderators will introduce interesting real-life case studies with various conceivable scenarios for each step in the method development (including both sample preparation and instrumental analysis) and/or for each troubleshooting problem. Attendees will be invited to identify the most suitable solution using an anonymous online voting; discussion about each presented option will follow. Attendees will have a possibility to check their knowledge, present their experience and, last but not least, win special prizes by participating in a short quiz.

Experts´ summit, EU and beyond:

Session by AOAC INTERNATIONAL and ILSI Europe “Harmonizing Methods and Managing Risk: A Food Industry Perspective”

EC Reference Laboratories colloquium:

Workshop on “Experiences, achievements and challenges by EU Reference Laboratories”

Workshops & Sessions on EU Framework Programs and other projects:

Workshop on “Opportunities to collaborate in a European research and innovation area”
The workshop will provide an overview of opportunities for food scientists to participate in the Horizon Europe programme. This workshop will be organised as a side event of RAFA 2026, for free.

Vendor seminars & Exhibition:

Vendor seminars introducing recent progress instrumentation and analytical strategies

Exhibition of state-of-the-art instrumentation, laboratory equipment, screening tests, standards/reference materials, and consumables used in food analysis