It is also the intention to realise parts of the European Technology Platform Food for Life that are important for Swedish interests. Formas has taken an active part as a partner in the reference group of the Swedish research agenda, and is also Swedish representative in a reference group for Food for Life.
After an analysis of the Swedish conditions, the research situation concerning food and Swedish areas of special expertise, the agenda highlights six national areas where action should be taken. Their strategic importance is described and prioritised research areas are identified. Translation of these research visions into reality will require inputs of different kinds in complete programmes and single projects. Funding will also be needed from many sources, and partnerships in new consortia.
National action areas
The six national action areas for food research are:
Food and the consumer
With a better understanding of the consumer and what it is that influences the consumer's choice and behaviour regarding food, the conditions will be created to stimulate a healthy choice of food, better satisfy the needs and preferences of consumers, and maintain confidence in food and food production.
Food and health
Greater knowledge of the relationship between food and health, and the role of food in relation to lifestyle factors in general, create a healthier and thriving population, and a culture in which the health promoting properties of food are integrated with other values, perceived by consumers, which are associated with eating.
Safe food
The vision of being able to safeguard production of safe food that consumers can rely on, and thus creating enduring confidence in especially industrially produced food.
Food quality and food production
Creation of a food sector which with new and innovative technologies satisfies the expectations of consumers regarding high quality new and modified products of attractive sensory properties, expectations regarding health properties and convenience aspects.
The value chain of food
Creation of a basis for more effective interplay with the other players in the value chain, where the priorities of the various stakeholders can be integrated, so that better economic effectiveness, sustainability and safety throughout the entire chain is achieved.
Sustainable food production
The vision is to achieve, by adopting a holistic perspective, improved synergy between economic growth, protection of the environment, the health impacts of the choice of food and social justice in the food producing system.
Author
:
Lena Strålsjö
is Senior Research Officer at Formas and is responsible for issues to do with food research.