Scientific Publications
Concepts and procedures for mapping food and health research infrastructure: New insights from the EuroDISH project
Trends in Food Science & Technology, 63, 113-131
Background: Recent initiatives in Europe have encouraged the formalisation of research infrastructure to
unify fragmented facilities, resources and services; and to facilitate world-class research of complex
public health challenges, such as those related to non-communicable disease. How this can be achieved
in the area of food and health has, to date, been unclear.
Scope and approach: This commentary paper presents examples of the types of food and health research
facilities, resources and services available in Europe. Insights are provided on the challenge of identifying
and classifying research infrastructure. In addition, suggestions are made for the future direction of food
and health research infrastructure in Europe. These views are informed by the EuroDISH project, which
mapped research infrastructure in four areas of food and health research: Determinants of dietary
behaviour; Intake of foods/nutrients; Status and functional markers of nutritional health; Health and
disease risk of foods/nutrients.
Key findings and conclusion: There is no objective measure to identify or classify research infrastructure.
It is therefore, difficult to operationalise this term. EuroDISH demonstrated specific challenges with
identifying the degree an organisation, project, network or national infrastructure could be considered a
research infrastructure; and establishing the boundary of a research infrastructure (integral hard or soft
facilities/resources/services). Nevertheless, there are opportunities to create dedicated food and health
research infrastructures in Europe. These would need to be flexible and adaptable to keep pace with an
ever-changing research environment and bring together the multi-disciplinary needs of the food and
health research community.
Trends in Food Science & Technology, 63, 113-131
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