EIT Health and EIT Food organise workshop on food and health

Co-creating new strategies to help citizens and patients be in control of their food intake

The Barcelona Science Park hosted the event organised by EIT Health Spain and EIT Food CLC South with the aim of promoting synergies and fostering collaboration between agents of both ecosystems. The 54 participants from 11 different countries attended the meeting, representing companies, universities, R&D institutions, associations and agencies in the fields of food and health.

As an introduction, the workshop began with a review of current trends that are impacting the interaction between food and health.

The speakers introduced the audience to the products, services, experiences, marketing, communication and business models that are shaping the needs and expectations of consumers, considering that food is a primary driver in health and wellbeing.

The “orange dynamic” served as an icebreaker by teaching attendees about the importance of communicating accurately through the use of a game. Afterwards, the ideation activity took place, where participants were encouraged to work in teams to develop new solutions to the challenges such as the influence of our behaviour as a consumer in diets, the fight against obesity in society or the microbiome and human health.

Participants ended up pitching the conclusions drawn from group work and, to close the day, had the chance to explore collaboration opportunities through face-to-face sessions. In total, 56 meetings were held.

EIT Health and EIT Food are sharing forces to strengthen their position in Europe and provide new solutions for citizens. Regarding the interaction between health and food, these solutions necessarily go through taking into account the composition of food, incorporating new healthy habits into their daily lives and learning how to maintain a healthy microbiome.

In summary, this cooperation aims to develop a joint strategy between both communities and build a shared portfolio to better exploit the opportunities offered by the overarching area of food for health.