1. Workshop Canton du Valais – UNIMI
Sierre, 22 March 2013
Food, Nutrition, Environment: looking for
comprehensive views and integrated solutions
Laura Piazza
DEFENS, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences
University of Milan, Italy
laura.piazza@unimi.it
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

2. DEFENS, Laura Piazza
Laura Piazza
 Food Product Engineering - Food Technology: Università
degli Studi di Milano – Dept. Food, Environmental and
Nutritional Sciences
 Food Process Engineering : Politecnico Milano – Master
Degree in Chemical Engineering
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

3. DEFENS, holistic view
DEFENS, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences
The largest “ Food Science” Department in Italy:
85 professors
21 technicians
11 administative staff
>60 postdocs & graduate students
MS & BS Courses in Food Science & Technology, Catering Technology,
Human Nutrition,
PhD Courses in Food Biotechnology, Human Nutrition, Biochemistry,
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

4. DEFENS , going beyond fences
Bringing down fences
Integrating the activities of five sections at DEFENS :
- Food Science and Technology
- Chemical & Biomolecular Sciences
- Food Microbiology & Bioprocesses
- Human Nutrition
- Agro-Environmental Systems
Inter-departmental activities at DeFENS
- ICANS Center for the assessment of the Nutritional Status
- NanoFood Center for Agro-Food Nanotechnologies
- CIRA : Research Center on Food
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

5. DEFENS , research topics
 Food transformation and conservation processes
 New food products and food ingredients
 Innovative methods for characterization of the chemical and
physical and sensoric properties of food
 Innovative products and processes for food packaging
 Food nanotechnologies
 Microbiology and microbial biotechnologies applied to food
 Fermentations and bio-transformations in the food and energy
sectors
 Intestinal microbial ecosystem
 Microbial ecology and biotechnology control for agriculture and
the environment
 Management of food quality, safety, genuineness and typicity
 Bioactive compounds of food and role in diet in promoting health
and preventing diseases
 Microbial biotechnologies applied to the preservation of cultural
assets
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

6. DEFENS , research topics
At DEFENS : effective integration of strategically-focussed research
in the nutritional-, food- and consumer sciences and food chain
management in order to deliver innovative, novel and improved
food products for, and to, national, regional and global markets in
line with consumer needs and expectations.
 Challenge 1: Sustainable management of natural resources.
 Challenge 2: Sustainable production.
 Challenge 3: Improving public health.
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

7. DEFENS , research topics
At present EPT Food for Life concept has been well received :
 economic growth,
 technology transfer,
 sustainable food production and consumer confidence
DISSEMINATION AND PROMOTION
trans-national, concerted research
on nutrition and sustainable development
aimed at spreading knowledge and information
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

8. Internationalization, networking
COST ACTION FA1001
2010-2014
THE APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE FUNDAMENTAL
FOOD-STRUCTURE-PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS
TO THE DESIGN OF FOODS FOR HEALTH, WELLNESS AND
PLEASURE
www.foodstructuredesign.net
Chair of the Action : Laura Piazza
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

9. Internationalization, networking
About COST
 COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in
Science and Technology, allowing the coordination of nationally-
funded research on a European level.
 As a precursor of advanced multidisciplinary research, COST plays
a very important role in building a EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA.
 COST also increases the mobility of researchers across Europe and
fosters the establishment of scientific excellence.
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

10. Internationalization, networking
AT, BE, BG, CH, HR, DE,DK, EE, ES, FI,FR, GR, HU, IE, IL, IT,
LT, LU, MK,NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SI, SE, TR, UK
PARTNERS
FA1001
PARTNERS
NZ
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

11. Internationalization, networking
Scientific context and objectives
Coordination of research activities of partners
in the frame of a integrated process & product
design approach for creating innovative
products with real health benefits and optimal
sensory characteristics.
ETP Key Thrust 1 maps well to the research criteria defined in the Action
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

12. Internationalization, networking
Prof.Erick Wndhab , ETH
scheme demonstrating the process-structure-property relationships
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

13. Internationalization, networking
Research directions
The purpose of the Action is to provide a platform for
interdisciplinary scientific discussion on delivery systems as well as
suitable methods for enhancing the functionality in complex real
multiphase structured foods (FOAMS AND EMULSIONS)
1. Nano- and microstructures for controlled release: scientific
principles for design and formation.
2. Design of complex polymer and colloidal systems.
3. Biophysical and gastro intestinal engineering aspects of
nutrient absorption.
4. Understanding and controlling the behavior of functional
ingredients.
5. Materials science of the solid state: structure, mobility and
barrier properties.
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

14. Internationalization, networking
Significant Highlights in Networking
Main contacts with consolidated scientific organizations which
include:
▪ EFCE- Food Section (European Federation Chemical
Engineering – Food Section)
FOOD SECTION
▪ EFFoST (European Federation of Food Science and
Technology)
▪ IFA (ISEKI – Food Association)
▪ EFFoST Young Scientists Special Interest Group
(EFFoSTYSSIG)
▪ UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)
in the area of “new foods for health”
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

15. Internationalization, networking
Swiss Partners
Research in the Food Process Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zurich
focuses both on process engineering and food/biomaterials science.
The research of Agroscope is aimed at providing safe and flavoursome food,
a healthy environment and an innovative and competitive agriculture!
Research into agriculture, nutrition and the environment is an investment in
the foundations of our future
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

16. Internationalization, networking
A TT workshop has been organized mainly oriented towards academia
and multipliers of Technology Transfer
Technology transfer in the area of
food functionality design: effectiveness criteria
THE APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE FUNDAMENTAL
FOOD-STRUCTURE-PROPERTY RELATIONSHIPS
TO THE DESIGN OF FOODS FOR HEALTH, WELLNESS AND
PLEASURE
Vienna, February 20th, 2013BOKU - Universität für Bodenkultur
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

17. Internationalization, networking
Jean-Claude Villettaz , Swiss Food Research/EuroAgri FoodChain
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

18. Common goals
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

19. Looking forward to EXPO 2015 and to Horizon 2020
Ready to think about joint contributions displaying tradition,
creativity and innovation in the business of food :
 in the way we think about nutrition, sustainability, cooperation
 in the technologies, new materials, new ideas for the bio-based
production
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

20. Looking forward to EXPO 2015 and to Horizon 2020
 Promoting innovation in research, technology, and business
practices along the entire food supply chain to improve the
nutritional value, conservation, and distribution of foods;
 Providing education in proper nutrition and encouraging more
healthy lifestyles, especially among children, adolescents and
the elderly;
 Enhancing the value of cultural and ethnic heritage as expressed
in culinary traditions.
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

21. Looking forward to EXPO 2015 and to Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 - Three priorities:
1. Excellent science
2. Industrial leadership
3. Societal challenges
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

22. Looking forward to EXPO 2015 and to Horizon 2020
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

23. Looking forward to EXPO 2015 and to Horizon 2020
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

24. Key words for networking
KEY WORDS FOR NETWORKING:
 Territory, local peoples and communities, progress of skills over
years, traditions, high quality food that consumer can trust ;
 Benefit from innovative scientific knowledge and new
technological approaches;
 Encouraging the participation of SMEs;
 Educating people in nutrition for health and personal well-being.
3rdSwiss Food Tech Day 2013, May 16 -17 in Parma
on the occasion of CibusGlobal Forum
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

25. Conclusion
Laura Piazza , DEFENS - Dept. of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences