We have participated: NRZ-Authent Expert Workshop 24/25.11.2020

This year's workshop of the National Reference Center for Authentic Food (NRZ-Authent) took place virtually as an online conference, like most events this year.

The interest in the exchange of experts on the challenges in the fight against food fraud was very high. On the first day about 160 participants followed the presentations and took part in the generously timed discussions. In addition to the activities at the federal level of the NRZ-Authent network, the workshop provided information about the European measures that are being taken to systematically prevent and combat organized fraud in the area of food and dietary supplements and which challenges have to be met in this environment.

Prevention and control of food fraud at national and European level

Experts from analytical method development and standardization, official food control, customs authorities, public prosecutors as well as the renowned food law expert Alfred Hagen Meyer spoke at the workshop. In the Janaur edition we plan to examine some of the key statements from the workshop a little more deeply.

New trends in sight

For us as a private service provider, it is important that we recognize the trends and see the progress that is being made by the authorities at the national and European level to combat "food fraud".

Unfortunately, the knowledge gained from multi-disciplinary risk analyses and databases (under development) is currently still insufficiently or with a time lag shared with stakeholders outside the official surveillance authorities. This was understood and it was pointed out that the exchange of information with the food industry and laboratory service providers should be further improved. For this reason, too, it is important that we, as representatives of the service laboratories, can actively participate in such discussions.

Last but not least, Dr. Ilka Haase and her colleagues should be acknowledged for the composition of the interesting program and the successful organization of the online workshop in the Corona Year.

More Information here:  https://www.mri.bund.de/de/nrz/forschung/

Autor: Dr. Frank Mörsberger