Backed by new Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Food Standards Agency funding, a team from the School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, will work with the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN) to tackle the UK’s most pressing foodborne risks.

Dr Katerina Theodoridou, a Reader in Animal Nutrition from the School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Global Food Security, and co-leader of the research theme ‘AgriFood Systems and Human Nutrition’ in the School, said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the FSRN renewal proposal which aligns well with our strategic areas of interest and our three research themes of  AgriFood Systems and Human Nutrition, Understanding Health and Disease and Sustaining Ecosystems and Biodiversity.”

Keeping food safe is a shared challenge and a national priority. Every year in the UK, foodborne illness causes over 2.4 million cases of food poisoning and costs the economy around £11 billion.

Behind the scenes, food businesses of all sizes work tirelessly to ensure the safety of what we eat. But with new risks emerging and longstanding ones evolving, there’s growing demand for faster innovation, better data, and regulatory approaches that keep pace with change.

Dr Theodoridou  added:

“The Institute for Global Food Security is anchored in the School of Biological Sciences and is a flagship institute. Our ASSET Technology Centre hosts the Centre for Excellence in Agriculture and Food Integrity, in partnership with the UK National Measurement Laboratory, and is listed as a Centre of Expertise by the Food Authenticity Network, a UK DEFRA initiative.

“Also, within the School, we have the Centre for Agri-Food Microbiomics which is partially funded by the Centre of Innovation and Excellence in Livestock and is led by Queen's University Belfast. Leveraging these resources, we are enthusiastic to engage with FSRN to make UK food safer for consumers.”

The FSRN was established in 2022 with strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to meet this need, by connecting the expertise of researchers with the hands-on knowledge of food producers, manufacturers, and policymakers.

Now, with renewed support from BBSRC and FSA, the network is entering a major new phase to build on the momentum of its first three years. FSRN has been awarded £650,000 over three years, and this next chapter will accelerate the translation of research into real-world food safety solutions, strengthen connections across the wider food system, and catalyse targeted investment to tackle emerging and evolving risks.

Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Executive Chair of BBSRC said:

“Ensuring a safe, resilient and future-ready food system is a national priority and one that depends on strong collaboration between science, industry and government. That’s why BBSRC is proud to continue our partnership with the Food Standards Agency to support the FSRN as it enters its next phase.

“By uniting academic insight with real-world expertise, the network has already demonstrated its power to drive practical solutions to complex food safety challenges. Its inclusive, cross-sector approach is not only tackling today’s risks but laying the foundations for a safer, more sustainable food future.”

To drive the FSRN, its leadership team has been expanded to bring on board additional experts, including Dr Katerina Theodoridou, who will be an academic Champion in the Priority Area 2. Each priority area is represented by both an industry and an academic champion. Alongside other expert champions for policy, training and industry engagement, they will advise the leadership team on strategy and partnership opportunities.

Alongside Queen’s, the FSRN Leadership Team is made up of the Quadram Institute, Newcastle University, University of Southampton, Fera Science, University of Leeds, the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Food Standards Agency, Alec Kyriakides consultant, the Fresh Produce Consortium, Samworth Brothers, UK Edible Insects Association, Asda and Chilled Food Association.

You can find out more and sign up to the Network by visiting the website: https://fsrn.quadram.ac.uk/

Dr Katerina Theodoridou

School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security

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