Nanotechnology is simply the processing of material at a sub-microscopic level. The scale at which this occurs is infinitesimally small – a nanometer (nm) is one-billionth of a meter – about one hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair. The technology allows for the development of a whole range of highly desirable properties and functions and has already found a multitude of applications including engineering, metallurgy, medicine and the chemical and food industries.

It is widely recognised that nanotechnology can bring significant benefits and nanotechnology research attracts significant funding from both private industry and governmental sources. In the area of food production and processing, nanotechnology has some current uses and a wide range of potential uses including the development of novel functional ingredients, nutrient delivery systems, safety testing, innovative and improved packaging, and traceability and authenticity verification.

The application of nanotechnology in the agri-food sector is still a relatively new concept. This is mainly due to issues relating to product labelling, a lack of unifying regulations and guidelines on nanotechnology governance, and uncertainties regarding side effects to consumer health and the environment. As with all new technologies, a concise determination of the potential risks will need to be undertaken to ensure that public and environmental concerns are addressed and any regulatory, ethical and policy challenges are met. This report reviews nanotechnology applications, opportunities and challenges for the agri-food industry on the island of Ireland. The industry’s current level of awareness and perceptions of nanotechnology in relation to food and food-related applications was investigated through a qualitative survey of food industry personnel that was conducted through face-to-face and telephone interviews, and an online survey that was disseminated to a wide industrial target audience. The report also details the outcome of a literature review on the implications of applying nanotechnology to food production for consumer health, choice and confidence. Possible communications options that would foment trust and thereby underscore consumer confidence in the technology were also considered. 

Download the report

Research conducted by the University of Hertfordshire, UK, and commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), investigated what happens in household kitchens to assess food safety risks in domestic environments.

The study revealed that food safety was not a priority for most households and in some cases ‘lay’ or ‘common sense’ knowledge took precedence over expert advice.

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Reducing human infection from campylobacter is the Food Standard Agency’s highest priority – and that means farmers through to supermarkets must play their part.

The reason, according to Javier Dominiguez Orive, deputy veterinary director at the FSA, is simple: Each year in the UK there are 460,000 cases of campylobacter food poisoning, 22,000 hospitalisations and 110 deaths, costing the NHS an estimated £540m.

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Great summary video from the Food Integrity and Traceability Conference 2014. 

PFP Enterprises is recalling about 15,865 pounds of beef products because it may be contaminated with E. coli 0103, 0111, 0121, 0145, 026, and 045 according to the USDA. Those are the six non-O157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) that the USDA classified as adulterants last year. No reports of illness have been reported to date.

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The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £2m in feasibility studies to stimulate innovation across four enabling technology areas: advanced materials; biosciences; electronics, sensors and photonics, and information and communications technology.

Our aim is to ensure that small and micro businesses in the UK are well equipped to respond to market opportunities across a range of economic sectors.

All projects must be business-led, and this competition is open to small or micro companies only, working either singly or in collaboration with one other small or micro company. Projects can last up to four months, and total project costs must not exceed £33k.

We expect to fund feasibility studies conducting pre-industrial research, in which a business partner can attract up to 75% public funding for their project costs.

This competition opens on 27 January 2014, and the deadline for applications is noon on 12 March 2014. A briefing day for potential applicants will be held on 10 February 2014.

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Applications are invited for the position of Corporate Operations Manager in our Cork headquarters.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and co-ordination of safefood corporate governance and procurement policies. The job holder will also play a key role in finance and human resources. Applicants must have at least five years post qualified experience and a professional accountancy qualification.

Full details of this position, including application form, are below or alternatively you can call our HR Department on 00 353 21 2304160. The closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm Thursday 13, February 2014. Please note that letters and CVs will not be acceptable forms of application.

safefood is committed to promoting equality of opportunity.

Visit the website to apply

L’Oréal UK & Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, with the support of the Royal Society have partnered together to provide a dedicated UK & Ireland For Women in Science fellowship programme for women scientists at post-doctoral level to enable and/or facilitate promising scientific research in the life and physical sciences.

Four Fellowships will be awarded in 2014 to outstanding female postdoctoral scientists to assist them with their research. The Fellowships, each worth £15,000 (equivalent Euros for candidates in Ireland), are tenable at any UK or Irish university or research institute to support a 12-month period of research.

The Fellowship money can be spent in any number of innovative ways to enable women scientists to further their careers and facilitate world class research - such as buying equipment, paying for childcare or funding travel costs to an overseas conference.

Key Dates:
Applications open: Saturday 1st February
Application close: Friday 14th March
Shortlist published: Tuesday 3rd June
Awards ceremony: Thursday 19th June

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The Irish Cancer Society has funded cancer research since its establishment more than 50 years ago. Continued support for cancer research is integral to achieving our vision of a future without cancer. One of our strategic goals is to lead excellent, collaborative cancer research. The role of Cancer Research Officer is central to achieving this goal by; engaging with senior researchers in the development of collaborative initiatives and programmes; developing a governance structure to ensure maximum efficiency and collaboration between Irish Cancer Society Collaborative Cancer Research Centres; and developing strong partnerships with research organisations both within Ireland and abroad.

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The International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene of the IUMS (ICFMH) aims to promote the mobility of young researchers between research institutions active in the field of food microbiology and hygiene. The ICFMH sponsors Mobility Grants as short term fellowships to assist young scientists in pursuing research at a host laboratory.

For further information please visit the website

Deadline for application is March 31st.

The Stagiaire Programme (Marine Institute Student Programme for recent graduates) is designed to enable recent graduates to gain work experience in an area in which they are interested. As part of Marine Chemistry section you will provide administrative and programme support to the work activities of the Chemistry Section Manager, Residue Scientific and Technical Officer and the chemistry team. This position will provide and coordinate key administrative support services to the chemistry section (residue team, nutrients team and environmental team).

This Stagiaire position is an excellent training opportunity for a recent graduate of science, business, administration or a related subject.

For further information please visit the website

Since its establishment in 1993, The Ireland Canada University Foundation has awarded Dobbin Scholarships to Irish and Canadian scholars and academics whose research has the potential to contribute to the rich academic and cultural relationship which exists between these two countries.

Founded by Dr. Craig Dobbin of Newfoundland and Dr. Patrick Hillery, former President of Ireland, the Foundation was recognised in a 2004 International Memorandum of Understanding by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D. and Canadian Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Paul Martin M.P.

Dobbin Scholarships are targeted at scholars in the early stages of their research career, and are open to scholars of all academic disciplines. The Irish awards are to support scholars resident in Ireland seeking to make a short research visit to a Canadian university or similar institution. The amount of the award depends on duration of research stay.

Further information and application forms are available at: www.icuf.ie

Closing date for Applications: 5pm on Friday, March 7th, 2014

The Stagiaire Programme (Marine Institute Student Programme for recent graduates) is designed to enable recent graduates to gain work experience in an area in which they are interested. As part of the Office of the CEO, you will provide clerical / administrative, desk research and project management support to the Senior Policy Advisor, International Co-Operation; the Foresight & Planning Officer and the Board Secretary. This Stagiaire position is an excellent training opportunity for a recent business, economics or international policy graduate.

The fixed term, fixed purpose Graduate Training contract will run for a maximum of 50 weeks. The successful candidate will be on probation for the first 6 months of this training contract.

A CV and letter of application should be posted to Human Resources, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Galway or sent via email to recruitment@marine.ie. Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of the information contained in their letter of application and CV. Please ensure that applications for this opportunity use the reference OCEO Stagiaire – Feb 2014.

The closing date for all applications is Monday 17th February at 16.30 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of candidates to ensure that their application is received on time.

For further information please visit the website

Just as many UK consumers are concerned about food additives as about food poisoning, according to the latest Public Attitudes Tracker survey from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).

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Scientists are testing encapsulated molecules that unzip and spring into action when triggered to do so.

A sheath of biocompatible polymer shrouds the biologically active material inside, preventing any interaction so long as the shield remains in place.

The smart aspect is in the DNA-based zippers that hold the coat in place. Because any DNA code (or “molecular cipher”) can be chosen, the release mechanism can be bar-coded so that it is triggered by a specific biomarker—for example a message from a disease gene.

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A new biosensor quickly detects salmonella in food and can be easily customized to detect other types of bacteria—or even different strains for the same bacterium.

The process appears to easily outperform tests that are now standard in the food industry, according to researchers at Rice University. Those tests are slow because it can take days to culture colonies of salmonella bacteria as proof, or laborious because of the need to prepare samples for DNA-based testing.

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The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, today, 22 January 2014, invited expressions of interest for members of the Healthy Ireland Council.

The Healthy Ireland Council will bring together key stakeholders and leaders from different sectors of Irish society to support the implementation of Healthy Ireland, Ireland’s framework for improving the health and wellbeing of our people.

“There are no specific qualifications that someone must have to be a member of the Healthy Ireland Council”, the Minister said, “but members should have a national profile and a track record of leading change”.

“Members of the Council will be champions for the vision and goals of Healthy Ireland. They should be capable of persuading their stakeholders that change is necessary, and instilling confidence that together we can make Ireland a healthier place to live, work, play and age”, the Minister continued.

 “Healthy Ireland is about bringing all Government Departments and public sector organisations together to promote health and wellbeing across society”. The Minister concluded, “The Council and its members will connect and mobilise communities, families and individuals into a national movement with one aim: to support everyone to enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing.”

The Public Appointments Service (www.publicjobs.ie) is running the application process and the deadline for submission of expressions of interest is Friday 14 February, 2014.

If you do then the British Science Association Media Fellowships are for you.

Experience first-hand how science is reported by spending 3-6 weeks on a summer placement with a press, broadcast or online journalist such as the Guardian, The Times or BBC.

You will work with them to produce well informed, newsworthy pieces about developments in science.

Come away better equipped to communicate your research to the media, public and your colleagues.

You will develop communication skills that could help you produce concise and engaging articles and funding applications.

For details about the scheme, including eligibility and online application form, visit British Science Association

Application deadline: 16 March 2014

The Food Safety Professionals Association (FSPA) have published a report following their survey of hand washing practices. Four sectors were targeted nationally - shopping centres, leisure/activity/childcare centres, the hospitality sector specifically at restaurants and pubs and healthcare specifically at public toilets in hospitals. One of the key findings was that 20% of the 630 people observed, did not wash their hands after using the toilet. 

To access the full report click here

The FSPA have also created a video to demonstrate correct hand washing practices for food workers.

The 2013 safefood Chemical Residues Knowledge Network Conference took place in Dublin on 18 September, 2013 in collaboration with the Safe & Healthy Foods project coordinated by Teagasc.

The theme for the conference was, "Agri-Food Antibiotics: Residues, Regulation and Resistance".

To find out more about the conference watch the video below from organiser Prof Chris Elliott.

During the conference two presentations were recorded. These were the Keynote Lecture from Dr Philippe Delahaut, CER Groupe, Health Department, Belgium. Dr Delahaut presentation covered the use of antibiotics on farms. 

The second presentation was from Prof Seamus Fanning, UCD Centre for Food Safety, who delivered a presentation entitled 'Emergence of resistance to antimicrobial compounds:from farm to fork - Opportunity, power and usage

A number of speakers also provided summaries of their presentations in short interviews -

Antibiotic resistance and responsible use
John Fitzgerald
Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, United Kingdom

The increased role of knowledge transfer to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials in dairy cattle
Katie Yates
Royal Agricultural University, United Kingdom

Emergence of resistance to antimicrobial compounds from farm-to-fork: opportunity, power and usage
Professor Séamus Fanning
University College Dublin, Ireland

The consumers’ perspective – antibiotic residues and resistance
Gemma Trigueros
Organisation of Consumers and Users, Spain

The accompanying PowerPoint Presentations abd emerging issues report can be downloaded here