food4future at Innova 2023 - the international symposium for food innovation and development

The 11th Innova Symposium took place from September 27 to 29 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Innova is the International Symposium on Food Innovation and Development, the leading scientific event on food, science and technology in Uruguay, organized every two years since 2004 by the Technology Laboratory Foundation of Uruguay (LATU).

In his keynote speech on September 27, Dr. Oliver Schlüter emphasized the urgent need to develop and implement food security measures in the face of climate change. To ensure sufficient quantities of high-quality and safe food today and in the future, a rapid global transition to healthy diets through sustainable food systems is necessary. Without such a change, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement cannot be achieved. In light of these challenges, alternative and innovative approaches are being explored to ensure a sustainable supply of safe, nutritious and high quality food. 

The presentation gave an overview of the role of growing alternative food resources and innovative food processing concepts in overcoming the growing challenges to sustainable agricultural and food systems that enable healthy nutrition for all people.

In addition, Dr. Oliver Schlüter gave a lecture on "Circular bioeconomy concepts based on edible insect production and processing" on September 28.  Edible insects are considered a more environmentally friendly source of protein, as they require less land, water, energy and feed than conventional livestock farming and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In his lecture, Oliver Schlüter presented the applications of insects in the food and non-food sectors of the agricultural and food industry, for example as animal feed, organic fertilizer or for the recycling of agricultural materials and food waste. Schlüter also presented the challenges associated with the use of edible insects, particularly in terms of technology, safety and regulation.

Further information on the Innova Symposium
Abstract volume
Research profile of Dr. Oliver Schlüter
Cricket production sub-project