• In Perspective: MoniQA and Food Allergens

• Industry Corner: The MoniQA methods database

• Events & Training

• MoniQA Project News

• Research Frontiers: The nano-food revolution

• Policy Monitor

• Food Safety Web Spotlight: CommNet

• Ask MoniQA: How can Associated Partners participate?

• About MoniQA

MoniQA has developed a database of food quality and safety issues and corresponding analytical tools for food production and the supply chain. Via commodity and contaminant searches, the database users gain access to legislative limits and corresponding analytical and sampling methods as well as original legislation. A key component of this fully searchable database is the EU Rapid Alert System (RASFF). Also included are EU provenance issues, a thesaurus of terms and links to sources of reliable information.

The terms and conditions for other organisations including our Associate Partners (see below) to access the MoniQA methods database have been agreed and access will be granted shortly.

The MoniQA database is structured around two key elements: a comprehensive list of contaminants and a comprehensive list of commodities (or matrices) in which these contaminants may pose a food-chain threat.

Read more at http://www.moniqa.org/database.

Nanotechnology (the control of matter on atomic and molecular scale) could potentially transform industry and everyday life. However, there are concerns whether the application of nanotech is safe. In an own-initiative report, the European Parliament has recently decided to consider all nanomaterials as new substances and holds that existing legislation does not take into account the risks associated with nanotechnology.

According to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), in the area of food science, uncertainties in detecting and measuring levels of nanomaterials could make risk assessment of some nano products extremely difficult.

MoniQA provides support for a systematic assessment of the socio-economic impact of new EU food quality and safety regulations. Impact is evaluated in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency of application, and with respect to different stakeholders (consumers, industry, regulatory bodies, and others.)

Click on http://www.moniqa.org/webfm_send/586 to download the socio-economics factsheet (MoniQA Fact Sheet No 4).

Click on http://www.moniqa.org/socioeconomics for a detailed description of the socio-economic impact assessment.

CommNet is a network of communications managers in EU-funded projects about food quality and safety. CommNet started in 2005 and has since grown to comprise more than 20 projects. Communication managers from these projects meet several times a year to share best practice and to advance the state of food science communication.

More information: http://www.commnet.eu/

Upcoming: Visit MoniQA at the following events:

- China International Food Safety and Quality Conference and Expo 4-5 November 2009, Beijing, China
http://www.chinafoodsafety.com

- Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA) 4-6 November 2009, Prague, Czech Repbulic
http://www.rafa2009.eu

- European Food Science Day 18 November, 2009, Brussels, Belgium
http://www.moniqa.org/foodscienceday

--for more events go to
http://www.moniqa.org/event-browser

Upcoming: MoniQA Food Science Training

- MoniQA FST on "Food Safety and Mycotoxins in Grain, Oil and Feed", 24-25 September 2009, Beijing, China

- MoniQA FST on "Quality analysis methods applied for food products exported to EU: Standards and alternatives", 29-30 September, 2009, Hanoi, Vietnam

- Combined MoniQA FST - "Multiresidue analysis of pesticides in fruits and vegetables using QuEChERS Method" and "Mycotoxin analysis in fruits, nuts and cereals using HPLC techniques", 2-6 November, 2009, Gebze, Turkey

-- for more information, registration and bursary applications (MoniQA members only) go to
http://www.moniqa.org/MoniQAFST

Events in Review

Look at http://www.moniqa.org/eventreviews for other events where MoniQA was recently presented, such as:

- Food Allergens Working Group meetings in Hamburg and Vienna (30-31 July, 14 May)
- Workshop on Production, Processing and Marketing of Cereals 10-11 May 2009, Khartoum, Sudan
- FoodSafe 09 Symposium 28-29 April 2009, Grenaa, Denmark


MoniQA Food Science Training in Review Check out http://www.moniqa.org/pasttrainings for reviews of the following MoniQA food science trainings

- Combined MoniQA FST on reference materials and communication training. 15-19 June 2009. Vienna, Austria
- Joint MoniQA/Healthgrain FST - "Building skills on the analysis of components formed during thermal processing of foods." 20-24 April 2004, Ankara, Turkey

Thumbs up for MoniQA

In May 2009 the MoniQA project passed its second review by experts on behalf of the European Commission with flying colours. The experts concluded that the project has fully achieved its objectives and goals for the period and has even exceeded expectations. Out of 27 evaluation items MoniQA completely achieved 26 and partially achieved only one. No negative score was given for any item. Comments and suggestions provided by the evaluators were integrated into the new work plan for period 3.

Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods (QAS)

Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods (QAS) is a brand new international journal publishing peer-reviewed scientific primary research papers and review papers in the areas of cereals, grain crops, their quality and issues relating to food safety. This official Journal of ICC and MoniQA is published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Special offer: 12 month free trial of online articles of QAS.
More information: http://www.moniqa.org/journal

MoniQA offers stakeholder such as small and medium-size businesses, industry and research organisations as well as other entities the chance to become an Associated Partner. So far, more than 35 organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become official Associated Partners.

For more information on how to join take a look at the "About MoniQA" section below or click on our FAQ http://www.moniqa.org/associates.

MoniQA (Monitoring and Quality Assurance in the Food Supply Chain) is funded by the European Union. It is a Network of Excellence aiming to make food safer by harmonising worldwide food quality and safety monitoring and control strategies.

- MoniQA focuses on validation of and setting performance criteria/requirements for methods used to analyse foods and food products for safety and quality with the main focus being on rapid methods and their applicability and reliability in routine testing.

- MoniQA seeks to establish long-lasting cooperation amongst leading research institutes, industrial partners and the small- and medium-sized businesses in food and retail in order to ensure food quality and safety for consumers.

- Researchers from around the world have been involved right from the start in 2007 and the network is constantly growing.

- In the long-term the MoniQA consortium hopes that the project will form the basis of a sustainable global network of food safety and quality experts. The project is coordinated by ICC.

Join us!

MoniQA offers associated partnerships to interested organisations, SMEs and institutions. In principle Associated Partners will benefit from

• Favourable conditions for participation in MONIQA events
• Consideration for partnering in new projects
• Involvement and selective invitation to expert panels
• Voluntary participation in the "Integration" and "Dissemination" programmes
• Future offers (subscriber fees are likely) include:
• participation in exchange and mobility programmes
• access to the MoniQA databases

This newsletter is published by the MoniQA consortium. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate at the time of publication but no liability will be accepted for losses caused by inaccurate information.
MoniQA is supported by the European Commission (www.ec.europa.eu)

Newsletter editorial team:
Responsible for content: RTDS
Responsible for layout: ICC
Editorial input by IFR

Dissemination Manager:
Daniel Spichtinger
spichtinger@rtd-services.com