Brussels, 08/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - As part of an initiative by Research and Innovation Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn eight research projects were presented at a conference at the European Parliament on 8 July. All concern food quality and safety and the idea is that they show the practical benefits EU research is bringing to the EU's EUROPE 2020 strategy in terms of improved quality of life and as a key driver of economic growth and high quality jobs between 2010 and 2020.
One of the projects, ISAFRUIT, looked at ways of increasing fruit consumption in the EU by showing consumers the health benefits of fruit. One of the major findings of ISAFRUIT is initial nutritional studies which show that two apples (300gr) a day can help reduce cholesterol by 10%. The project also developed new protocols and methodologies for more efficient developing of new fruit varieties and ways to reduce allergenic components in fruits, and new sustainable and safer technologies to fight against fruit pests and diseases with reduced or no use of pesticides. It has demonstrated that dipping peaches for 20 second in hot water at 60 degrees can reduce brown rots by 80%. For apples the treatment is 40 seconds at 50-52 degrees.
The ECNIS project studied how environmental, dietary and hereditary factors can influence the risk of cancer. EUROFIR is a new tool, an internet server, to be used to understand the links between, diet, health, well-being and ageing. EPIZONE put in place a unique European-led network of researchers seeking to prevent and control epizootic diseases. The AQUAMAX project, implementing an integrated approach covering the whole food chain, showed the links between fish food and human health. It calls for fish food to be adapted to make it better for human health. With 50% of bread baked on an industrial scale, EUROFRESHBAKE highlights the nutritional benefits of freshly baked and traditional breads. HEALTHGRAIN demonstrated the importance of high fibre cereals in reducing the risk of chronic disease linked with obesity. MONIQA established “a sustainable network” integrating international research institutions charged with developing new standards in food safety. Each of these projects received European funding of between € 2 million and €14 million.
Launched in 2002, under the Sixth Research Framework Programme, the “Food Safety and Quality” programme aimed to tackle the serious food chain problems which have arisen during the 90s. Between 2007 and 2013, the EU will provide over €1.9 billion in funding for “Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology” research under the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7). (J.I./transl.rt)