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Issue 4 of the MoniQA newsletter covers the following topics: | ||
In Perspective 
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What MoniQA has done for us
In this newsletter we would like to highlight several key results achieved during the last five years. As a Network of Excellence, we have realised a high degree of integration among partners, demonstrated not only by our annual integration assessments but more importantly through the multitude of exchange and cooperation activities, which include the MoniQA Food Scientists Training, facilitated by our bursary programme, and a variety of bi- and multilateral research cooperation agreements. In our Working Groups, MoniQA partners have developed guidelines for validation studies, and designed and created reference/ testing materials as well as socio-economic impact assessment tools. MoniQA actively promotes sharing of data and knowledge as well as of equipment, materials and personnel across a global platform of food researchers, laboratory staff and policy makers. We have described our results in a list of some 40 outputs, which you can access at www.moniqa.eu/keyresults. But, most important achievement was summarised by one of our Chinese colleagues: "The MoniQA NoE may be over soon, but friendship between partners will last". In fact, the new MoniQA Association, which has been set up as a non-profit-distributing organisation will follow up MoniQA NoE activities, and brings together most of the consortium partners as well as some of the Associated Partners; applications from all interested stakeholders are welcome – go to association.moniqa.org for more information. Back to top |
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Industry Corner
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MoniQA: Contribution to Continuous Professional Development (CDP)
MoniQA Food Scientists’ Training workshops (FSTs) are part of a module-based training programme developed by MoniQA and administered by BOKU. FSTs are tailor-made to the needs of the consortium, and lecturers are provided by MoniQA partners with competences in a range of food- and soft-skills. FSTs are complemented by elearning material as well as bespoke knowledge transfer events. To learn more go to www.moniqa.eu/training_CPD. Validation: emphasised in the work of MoniQA Validation criteria and studies are one of the key MoniQA activities. Follow the requirements of the IUPAC/ AOAC/ ISO international protocol for collaborative trials, the MoniQA validation/ ring-trials have also taken into account issues discussed at the Codex Alimentarius level, specifically recovery, recovery correction, measurement uncertainty, etc. Go to www.moniqa.eu/keyresults to find out more. Back to top |
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Research Frontiers
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MoniQA and LC-MS-MS
MoniQA is developing best practice guidelines for the analysis of food allergens, and the identification and quantification of chemical residues/ contaminants by mass spectrometry (MS). We are also organising a proficiency test (PT) for simultaneous determination of legislated mycotoxins in maize using LC/ MS (MS) method. Go to www.moniqa.eu/keyresults for more information (Outputs 23, 24 and 25). QAS – Joint MoniQA/ICC journal Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods, the official Journal of ICC and MoniQA, is published by Wiley-Blackwell and provides peer-reviewed scientific primary research and review papers in the areas of cereals, grain crops, their quality and issues relating to food safety. It is also being considered for an impact factor. Go to www.moniqa.eu/journal for more information. Back to top |
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Policy Monitor
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Evaluating costs and benefits of policies
MoniQA supports the systematic assessment of socio-economic impact arising from European food quality and safety regulations in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and consistency, and administrative costs as well as international trade amongst stakeholders (e.g. consumers, industry, regulatory and control bodies) at different levels (i.e. micro versus macro). As part of a socio-economic tool box, a system has been developed to provide guidance in choosing amongst different policy options. It will be showcased at the 3rd MoniQA International Conference (27-29 September, Varna, Bulgaria). For more information about MoniQA socio-economic research, go to www.moniqa.eu/socioeconomics. Back to top |
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Food Safety Web Spotlight
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Emerging issues: informing the consumer
MoniQA’s Emerging Issues Working Group provides information about recent, on-going or emerging food issues. Most recently, information on the EHEC outbreak in Germany and France was published at www.moniqa.eu/EHEC. Back to top |
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Events & Training
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Visit MoniQA at the following events:
Look at www.moniqa.eu/eventreviews for training and events where MoniQA was recently presented, such as:
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MoniQA Project News
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MoniQA Association attracts key stakeholders
The MoniQA Association has been registered as a non-profit-distributing association under Austrian law, set up to ensure sustainability of MoniQA NoE activities once EU funding ends (31st January 2012). It is an international group of organisations dedicated to collaborative research, aimed at promoting a safer and more secure food supply. Within a week of the launch, 20 of 33 MoniQA NoE members had joined the Association – some are not able to join because of their statues – which is also open to other interested stakeholders. To find out more and to apply for membership go to association.moniqa.org. MoniQA: an example of EU-China cooperation in food safety From the very beginning MoniQA was designed to have a truly global reach, bringing together partners from East and West. Joint activities with China include training, consortium meetings, high-level summits, stakeholder events and new research activities. For more details visit www.moniqa.eu/china-eu. Back to top |
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Ask MoniQA
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What is food authenticity?
Authentication techniques verify whether a food complies with its description. Regulations protect consumers from inferior products and retailers from unfair competition. Enforcement helps retain consumer confidence and assure food safety, but increasingly consumers also want to be certain about where their food comes from, and producers of speciality foods like Parma ham want to protect their reputation and the value of their product. To learn more take a look at the new MoniQA factsheet which is available at www.moniqa.eu/authenticity_factsheet. Back to top |
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About MoniQA
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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. |
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Disclaimer
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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. |
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