Horizon Europe Pathfood Project: Creating a Functional and Sustainable Food Chain: A Path to Climate Neutrality and Improved Health in the EU
- Type Project
- Status Firmado
- Execution 2024 -2027
- Assigned Budget 1.498.925,88 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing Horizonte Europa 2021-2027
- Project website Proyecto PATHFOOD
Selenium is a crucial trace element for the human body, contributing to the production of specific proteins that prevent cell damage. In this context, the EU-funded PATHFOOD project seeks to innovate in selenium-enriched functional foods, in line with the EU's sustainable development goals.
The project seeks to strengthen the University of Warsaw's leadership in this research area. PATHFOOD encompasses several key aspects, such as selenium sourcing with robust traceability systems, innovative farming methods to increase selenium content and minimize environmental impact, and the optimization of food processing techniques to preserve selenium levels and create personalized functional food products for consumers. The project prioritizes gender balance and diversity within the consortium in all its activities.
PATHFOOD aims to revolutionize the field of selenium-enriched functional foods, aligning with the European Union's strategic objectives for sustainable development, improved public health, and socioeconomic growth, thereby strengthening the University of Warsaw (UW)'s position as a leading institution in this field of research. It is a conduit for knowledge transfer and capacity building with leading international partners.
The project integrates multiple facets, from selenium sourcing with robust traceability systems to innovative cultivation methods that improve selenium content and minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, the project focuses on optimizing food processing techniques to preserve selenium content and develop consumer-friendly functional food products. Advanced analytical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), will be used to examine selenium content and speciation. Regulatory compliance is a cornerstone that ensures consumer health and instills confidence in selenium-fortified food products.
In addition to these dimensions, PATHFOOD is committed to achieving gender and diversity balance within the consortium throughout project activities. All participating partners have established policies (GEPs) designed to foster gender equality, diversity, and inclusion among employees, enhancing the project's social impact. Furthermore, the project adopts an open science approach, aiming to make the research process more transparent and collaborative.
This will facilitate the exchange of methods, data, and findings with the wider scientific community, thereby accelerating the pace of discoveries and ensuring that the benefits of research are more widely distributed. The collective goal is to advance the frontiers of functional food development and foster global cooperation and innovation in the pursuit of healthier and more sustainable dietary options.
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