Safety and Authenticity of Agri-food Products: Modern Strategies and Technologies

JOIST Innovation Space Ioannina, following the success of its first event, is organizing the seminar “Safety and Authenticity of Agri-food Products: Modern Strategies and Technologies.” The event will focus on contemporary technologies and practices that promote the safety, quality, and authenticity of agri-food products, with particular emphasis on packaging and product protection technologies for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products. These are products such as olive oil, feta cheese, wines, and various dairy products, which carry added value due to their geographical origin and characteristics derived from the environment and traditional production techniques.

The main goal of the event is to inform and enhance practices that ensure the authenticity of food products and to exchange views on protecting them from adulteration and counterfeiting. Attention will also be given to new packaging applications that, combined with sensors and other smart technologies, ensure the freshness and quality of sensitive products such as fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products, as well as dairy products. Through these combinations, producers can monitor the quality and conditions of their products in real-time, offering greater transparency and security to consumers.

The seminar program includes thematic sections with speakers from ELGO Dimitra, the University of Ioannina, the Greek Institute of Packaging and Food Safety, as well as industry professionals, who will discuss new packaging technologies, regulatory requirements, and challenges related to protecting the geographical origin, quality, and authenticity of products.

Additionally, participants will be informed about EU rules and regulations that safeguard PDO and PGI products, as well as the challenges these products face due to the increasing demands of the global market. The speakers will highlight how new technologies and stricter certification processes can help address adulteration and strengthen the competitiveness of Greek products in the global market.

The event presents a unique opportunity for producers, food companies, and agri-food professionals to learn about innovations that ensure the quality and added value of their products and to exchange ideas and perspectives on the challenges facing the industry.

The event is aimed at:

• Food producers
• Agri-food professionals
• Researchers and students from relevant university departments
• Startups
• Agri-food entrepreneurs
• Innovators