WATSON recently participated in the Sustainable Food Systems Symposium held on September 17th-18th, 2024, with several pre-conference workshops held on September 16th, 2024.
The event, organised by the Research Training Group “Sustainable Food Systems” at the University of Göttingen, in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and KU Leuven, provided a platform for researchers to delve into pressing topics within the agri-food sector.
With a focus on economic and social science perspectives, the symposium underscored the role of sustainable food production and consumption in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Re-conceptualizing food fraud vulnerability
In a presentation titled “Re-conceptualizing food fraud vulnerability within a social justice frame: Preserving the authenticity of Spanish honey”, WATSON researchers from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dr. Claudia Coral and Prof. Dr. Dagmar Mithöfer of the Agrifood Chain Management Group, discussed new findings on food fraud vulnerability.
Their work framed food fraud not just as an issue of product authenticity but as a social justice concern, raising questions about equity, consumer rights and sustainable food practices.
WATSON’s contribution to the sustainable food landscape
The Sustainable Food Systems Symposium brought together experts to explore pathways toward resilient, transparent and equitable food systems.
WATSON’s participation provided a unique perspective on food fraud vulnerability, which aligns with the broader SDG targets.
By embedding discussions of food fraud within a social justice framework, our project contributes to a greater understanding of how food authenticity issues impact communities and stakeholders across the supply chain.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the University of Göttingen, IFPRI and KU Leuven for the opportunity to share our project’s vision alongside other leading voices in the sector.
Through events like these, WATSON continues to engage with the global community, aiming to build more sustainable, transparent food systems.