MedFoodNet: a Mediterranean network for food risk communication

Ensuring food safety in a globalized and interconnected world is an increasingly complex challenge. Evolving consumption habits and the complexity of international supply chains heighten the potential for biological and chemical risks throughout the entire food chain. In this scenario, effective, consistent risk communication based on solid scientific evidence is essential—not only to protect public health but also to strengthen citizens’ trust in health authorities.

With this objective in mind, MedFoodNet – Research-to-practice network for enhanced food safety communication in the Mediterranean Region was launched. This two-year international project is funded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and coordinated by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe).

The initiative aims to create a synergistic network among communication experts, researchers, risk assessors, and risk managers to translate scientific evidence on food safety into clear, accessible, and useful messages for the population.

The project

MedFoodNet merges research and practice in food risk communication. To foster this impact, a multidisciplinary consortium has been established, including experts in communication and social sciences, biologists, chemists, and veterinarians from research centres, universities, and food risk assessment and management authorities.

The network also extends to non-EU Mediterranean countries (Albania, Tunisia, and the Republic of Kosovo) to establish coordinated mechanisms for food risk communication outside the European Union, utilizing the same conceptual and methodological approach.

The primary target audience will be consumers, who will be reached through educational and awareness campaigns on food safety priorities specific to the geographic area under consideration.

Risk assessors and managers from the participating countries will also be kept informed about the activities and involved in specific initiatives (such as events and co-creation activities) to promote a coordinated risk communication approach within the risk analysis process, in alignment with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1381.

The project has a total duration of 24 months and a budget of €198,000.

The objectives

The specific objectives of the project are divided into three macro-areas:

Networking and capacity building – establishing the Mediterranean network, defining and implementing its governance methods, and training partners in risk assessment and communication;
Risk communication research – analysing risk perception and media coverage related to food risks, alongside co-creation initiatives;
Communication and results dissemination – defining a communication plan for ccordinated public outreach initiatives, joint communication campaigns (including amplifying those promoted by EFSA), and participating in scientific conferences.

The new MedFoodNet network will leverage existing synergies in risk communication:

at the European level, this includes EFSA networks (the Communications Experts Network and the Member State Communications Coordinators) and the Ibero-Italian Chapter of the Society for Risk Analysis – Europe (SRA-E);
at the Italian level, it will connect with the National Group of Experts for food risk communication, coordinated by the Ministry of Health.

Partners

MedFoodNet is supported by the following partners

The Italian Ministry of Health (Office 3 – Risk assessment concerning food safety, EFSA and Focal Point | Directorate-General for Healthy Lifestyles and Ecosystem Relations) acts as the functional liaison between the lead partner, IZSVe, and EFSA.

Kick off

Kick off meeting | 29 april 2026
Simposio “Risk and sustainability on the plate: steering science, policy and society for fairer communication and safer food”, 34th Annual Conference of the SRA-E “Advancing Risk Science for a Safer and Fairer Future”, University of Alicante, Spain | 28 may 2026