Building a Network of Knowledge

In the complex landscape of food safety, education plays a crucial role in fostering informed communities and promoting sustainable practices.

The EU Food Safety Platform set during the FS4EU project stands out as a vital collaborative initiative aimed also at contributing to food safety education through pilot actions in the Czech Republic and Tunisia, co-designed in a multi-stakeholder environment. By integrating research organizations, universities, consumers, and industry associations, the platform has become a place also for innovative educational approaches that can empower various societal actors.

Engaging audiences through diverse channels

The platform’s communication and education strategies have been innovative and diverse, incorporating various formats to reach different audiences effectively. For example, TikTok videos and comics have been utilized as forms of “edutainment,” merging education with entertainment to engage younger audiences. This approach has proven effective in reaching students and encouraging them to participate in discussions about food safety.

Sharing innovative educational resources

These integrated innovative communication approaches, co-designed by multi-stakeholder experts, were recently showcased during a FOODEDUCATORS workshop to discuss the impact of educational efforts in the realm of food.

The FoodEducators programme was launched by EIT Food in 2022 under the name of “Youth Mission”. This programme began with a thorough needs assessment, leading to the development of two comprehensive teacher handbooks. These handbooks provide ready-to-use resources designed to enhance classroom learning about food.

Fostering a Collaborative Ecosystem

The EU Food Safety Platform boasts a robust network of over 80 partners and a growing community of more than 6,000 followers across four social media channels, as well as over 1,100 subscribers to the EU Food Safety Platform newsletter. This extensive reach underscores the platform’s commitment to creating a a science-policy-society collaborative ecosystem where knowledge is shared and best practices are highlighted. Awareness-raising campaigns continue to play a crucial role, informing the public about food safety issues and promoting sustainable practices.