Food – its quality, production methods, impact on human health, as well as its significance and consequences for the development of agriculture and the food industry – were the main topics of a visit by specialists from our University to several EU institutions in Brussels.
On March 17-18, 2025, Prof. Katarzyna Socha, Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with the Economic Environment; Dr. hab. Sylwia Naliwajko, Vice-Dean for Cooperation with the Socio-Economic Environment at the Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine; and Dr. hab. Justyna Moskwa, Assistant Professor at the Department of Bromatology, participated in food-related events organized in Brussels. This area is one of the priorities of the Polish presidency of the European Union.
On the first day, the event, organized by the House of Eastern Poland at the headquarters of the National Centre for Research and Development, featured a meeting titled “Advancing Food Systems in Europe – Research & Innovation for a Healthier, Sustainable, and Resilient Future.” The discussions covered key challenges in European food systems, including food production innovation, public health, and sustainable agriculture. The program included thematic sessions, startup presentations, and a policy debate on the future of food research.
In the first session, titled “Consumer Trust and the Adoption of New Healthy and Sustainable Food Products,” Prof. Katarzyna Socha delivered a lecture on “Functional Food in Nutritional Interventions in Selected Non-Communicable Diseases.”
During the debate “Innovation in Food – Perspective of Industry,” Dr. hab. Justyna Moskwa participated in discussions focused on improving public health through the promotion of innovative and sustainable food production solutions and the activities of innovative companies in the food industry.
The Medical University of Bialystok was an official partner of the event.
On the second day, at the headquarters of a Spanish research and innovation center, a matchmaking event titled “Green Horizons Matchmaking: Building Partnerships for Sustainable Food Systems” took place. This event, co-organized by the PolSCA PAN Office in Brussels, aimed to foster cooperation on topics related to biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, food systems, plant and animal health, and climate change resilience.
During this event, Prof. Katarzyna Socha presented MUB's opportunities for collaboration on projects related to functional food. Meanwhile, Dr. hab. Sylwia Naliwajko represented the startup company Nutridesign Lab, which focuses on creating modern functional food solutions for health improvement. (The company was founded by researchers from MUB.)
In the second part of the meeting, "business speed dating" sessions took place, offering an opportunity to establish collaborations with potential partners, exchange knowledge and experience, and build consortia for the “Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, Cluster 6.”
The organizational aspects of the trip to Brussels were handled by Maria Szlachta from the Department of Development and Evaluation.
