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:
Vibrational spectroscopy, including Near-Infrared (NIR), Mid-Infrared (MIR) and Raman spectroscopy, has become the most widely used non-destructive analytical approach in the food and feed sectors. Its high sample throughput, ability to determine multiple quality parameters in a single analysis, minimal sample preparation and potential for at-line, on-line and laboratory applications make these techniques highly attractive for routine quality and safety control. The workshop will introduce the basic principles and instrumentation of NIR, MIR and Raman spectroscopy, followed by an overview of chemometric approaches required for the effective interpretation of spectroscopic data. Particular attention will be given to the role of vibrational spectroscopy combined with chemometrics in addressing current challenges in the agri-food sector, including quality assessment, detection of non-conformity, authentication, and the identification of targeted and untargeted adulterants and contaminants. Invited contributions will further illustrate current developments and practical applications of these technologies. The workshop is designed for participants interested in the principles, instrumentation and practical use of vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics for food and feed analysis, quality control and safety assessment.
This workshop will address advanced strategies for the processing, integration and interpretation of complex data generated in food analysis. The programme will cover current workflows, methodological challenges and emerging computational approaches, including foundation models, transfer learning and explainable artificial intelligence. Selected applications will demonstrate how these approaches can support the identification of emerging food system risks, improve cross-experiment learning in untargeted mass spectrometry, and enable more robust interpretation of chemical signatures related to lipid oxidation, food authenticity and aroma profiling.
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.
Organized by AOAC INTERNATIONAL, AOAC Europe Section and ILSI Europe, this session bridges the gap between advanced analytical chemistry and practical food safety governance by introducing a question-driven framework for method selection. Using real-world case studies of chemical contaminants and food allergens, industry experts will demonstrate and discuss how to align testing with risk assessment requirements to ensure data is truly fit for purpose.
The workshop will focus on sharing practical insights, key accomplishments, and current challenges faced by EU Reference Laboratories. Participants will explore best practices, innovative approaches, and issues related to harmonization across member states. The sessions will also provide a platform for discussion, collaboration, and identifying future opportunities for strengthening this essential European infrastructure.
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. It
explores collaboration opportunities and innovation support offered by EIT Food, including
programmes dedicated to students, start-ups, researchers and innovators. The workshop also
presents examples of EIT-supported projects and activities, as well as projects and initiatives
within the European Research Area.
This workshop is organised as a side event of RAFA 2026.
PROGRAM of the workshop
For FREE registration please follow this link - ACESS IS ALLOWED ALSO TO ALL WHO ARE NOT
REGISTERED FOR PARTICIPATION AT RAFA 2026: https://geform.tc.cz/RAFAworkshop2026
Food authenticity fraud, from adulterated honey and olive oil to species substitution in fish and
meat, remains one of the most persistent challenges facing food control laboratories,
regulators, and industry across Europe. This session, organized under the European Food Fraud
Community of Practice (EFF-CoP) project, brings the RAFA 2026 community together to
examine what
is genuinely standing in the way of better detection, and what could close that gap within the
next two years.
Rather than a conventional presentation, the session uses live, interactive polling and open
floor discussion to draw directly on the expertise of attending analytical scientists, food
safety laboratories, control authorities, and industry representatives. It is the second of
three Living Lab activities delivered under EFF-CoP's, with outcomes feeding into the project's
forthcoming exploitation strategy for the wider food authenticity community.