What is the good practice about?

A critical factor in protecting and improving the quality of life of humans is consuming safe food. Food safety is the area that covers all practices that ensure the quality of the food from farm to fork. Joining efforts from different stakeholders may increase the safety level. The scientific research activities conducted and organized by the research group of Toxic Substances and Biomolecules close to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, will produce an overview of the actual situation on food safety issues, with a focus on mycotoxin contamination, related to staple foods in the Albanians’ diet. The increased awareness of food safety issues has forced different actors, including academics, to participate and contribute with their competency. The outcomes will spread via reports and social media. Education of the young generation through the education system aims to improve the quality of life.

Why is this initiative needed?

The motivation for initiating such activity is the country's status as a candidate member joining to European Union. Food and feed safety involves several stakeholders responsible for consumers' health. Mycotoxin contamination is a principal threat reported in the Rapid Alert Food System. The academic and research institutions raised the issue, and a scientific project focusing on food safety started in 2022.

What are the main objectives?

The primary goal is to raise the so-called safety competencies for students by connecting materials from the subject of Food Safety science. Activities will carry out through workshops with students and other groups of interest.

What are the main activities?

The scientific research activities conducted and organized by the research group of Toxic Substances and Biomolecules close to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, will produce an overview of the actual situation on food safety issues, with a focus on mycotoxin contamination, related to staplefoods in the Albanians’ diet. The outcomes will spread via reports and social media. Education of the young generation through the education system aims to improve the quality of life. Part of the scientific program is organizing workshops in practical, theoretical, and experimental sessions. The interactive training concerns the development of didactic tools for connecting materials with the issue of interest. Dissemination of the project outcomes is planned to cover four topics, two per semester, in three-hour workshops. Two three-hour training sessions for teachers are also designed. This scientific project is running in parallel with another funded project by NASRI, on the infrastructure.

Who is involved?

This project has received funding from the NASRI (National Agency for Science Research and Innovation). The research group of Toxic Substances and Biomolecules from the Chemistry Department at the University of Tirana is responsible for implementing the project. The activities involve Ph.D. students, Master of Science Students, and colleagues from the Department of Chemistry. Through two parallel-running projects, a research project under development and a second infrastructure project under implementation, this is the first to introduce the issue of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. Through seminars, electronic information, and webinars, different actors such as food producers, food retailers, and specialists in the subject will find technical support and gain experience to avoid food contamination through food hygiene practices and increase consumers’ safety.

Can this good practice be replicated?

Replication to a high degree in other systems can involve students from primary and secondary schools to the extent they are interested. The practice can also be applied to lifelong learning models, not only for professionals of natural sciences but also for other groups such as health sciences and agriculture or the general population. Necessary information resources are accessible through electronic and hard copy forms. In case of interest, the project research group can cooperate with different groups of interest. The dissemination of the information will be in local language, Albanian, which in turn has impact in region, in some neighbour countries. Transferring will positively impact local food producing companies, for improvement on the technology and processing flow chart.

Further links:

• https://onehealthalbania.com

Relevant RRI keys: Gender Equality in Research and Innovation (R&I), Ethics (in R&I), Public Engagement (for R&I), Science Education, Open Access, Open Science, Open Data, RRI Governance 3

Type of practice: Promotional activities/events/campaigns, Websites serving as platform for services to clients, Publications/promotional material, Promotion of partnering opportunities, Sending targeted alerts, Relations with media, Participation in public policy/researches/studies, Good governance, Winning new clients/members, Organisation of info days, workshop, seminars, etc., Organisation of training, webinars, Organisation of conferences, panels, round-tables, Peer learning/mentoring, Promotion of cultural change, e.g. better management of professional and personal life, improved culture to accept failure, Establishment of new decision-making structures or boards (e.g., related to ethics, discrimination, etc.), Organisation of public consultations, public hearings, Support services (e.g. for internationalisation, innovation support, research support)

Target groups: researchers (starting from PhD-candidates, on the individual level), universities, research performing organisations, research and innovation funding organisations, innovators in the business sector, youth (children, pupils), students (up to Master level), research administration, the general public, person on the street