From 17 to 19 November 2025, the Alfândega Congress Centre in Porto hosted the 39th EFFoST International Conference, organised by the European Federation of Food Science and Technology. This edition - the largest ever - brought together more than 930 participants from 65 countries, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s leading events in food science and technology. The local organisation was led by the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) of Universidade Católica Portuguesa and its research centre, the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), further strengthening the institution’s leadership in promoting innovation and sustainability in the food sector.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) was coordinated by Cristina L. M. Silva (Chair) and Teresa Brandão (Co-chair), supported by a dedicated team including Ana Maria Gomes, Paula Teixeira and Manuela Pintado from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa; Deolinda Silva from PortugalFoods; and António Vicente from the University of Minho. For Cristina L. M. Silva, the opening of the event captured ESB’s mission of science that transforms, welcoming participants with the message: “From Porto - where ships once carried explorers, today we launch knowledge and innovation. Welcome to science that feeds the future.”
Under the theme “Fostering the Transition to Sustainable Food Systems — Embracing Novelty and Overcoming Challenges,” the conference was structured around three key pillars: alternative and innovative food sources; sustainable and novel food processing and packaging; and digital transition and Big Data for resilient food systems. The programme featured 11 plenary lectures, 35 parallel sessions, 10 special sessions, one interactive session, and a vast poster exhibition. Notably, around 40% of attendees were early-career researchers, including CBQF scientists presenting results in areas such as bioeconomy, sustainable food processing, waste valorisation, emerging technologies, and novel food sources — reinforcing the ESB and CBQF as centres of excellence in applied research for sustainability and resilient food systems.
Beyond the scientific sessions, the conference fostered social interaction and networking opportunities, including the Welcome Reception with the traditional Pub Quiz and the Official Dinner at The Baron’s Hall & Gallery, featuring a performance by the University’s student music group, the Tuna of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Porto.
On 20 November, after the conference closing, a group of participants visited the CBQF facilities, where they explored laboratories, research teams and ongoing projects. This visit strengthened prospects for future collaboration and showcased the CBQF’s dynamic environment of co-creation and innovation.
The strong presence of ESB and CBQF at EFFoST 2025 highlights the institution’s ongoing commitment to scientific excellence, knowledge transfer and the development of solutions for current and future challenges in food systems, reaffirming its mission of science that transforms.
