Utilizing NGS for Species Authentication in Insect-based Food and Feed

ANTWERPEN - Entomophagy, the consumption of insects and their use in food has largely been absent from western civilization for cultural reasons. However in recent years economic and environmental reasons have driven a more general acceptance of insects’ consumption. In fact, this practice has been recommended by the United Nations as a way to circumvent the food shortage problem created by an ever-growing global population. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is publishing strict legislation on a case-by-case basis covering 7 approved insect species for feed and one for food thus far.

Therefore, the application of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) with metabarcoding for the correct identification of these and other non-approved insect species in food matrices, is relevant to guarantee compliance with current legislation.

Agenda:

• Introduction: Insects in food and feed
• EFSA authorization of novel foods
• Advantages and disadvantages of insect consumption
• What is NGS?
• NGS application to insect species identification
• Q&A

Speakers

Franck Pandiani - Global Business Manager Food Molecular Biology, SGS

Based in France, Franck Pandiani is the Global Manager for SGS Food Molecular Biology. He has a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Microbiology from Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse and a Master 2 in Biochemistry-Nutrition & Food Safety from the Université Paul Cézanne (Aix-Marseille III).

Cristina Barbosa - Competence Centre for Molecular Biology (CCMB) Manager, SGS

Research & Development Manager working internationally on molecular biology expansion. Skilled in NGS, digital PCR and other molecular biology techniques applied to health and nutrition. Cristina has a PhD focused on Human Molecular Biology from Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

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Bron: SGS - partner FoodPro Network