Global Food Regulatory Science Society

06/11/2026

📢📢Seminar announcement
“ASEAN Health Claims: from Science to Practices”
Propak Asia 2026 (June 12,2026 9.00-12.00) 112 Sapphire , Impact Forum.
On-site registration on top of page and Zoom and Facebook live QR codes on bottom of page.

Synopsis:
The current regulatory framework mandates the consideration of scientific evidence for food safety and health impacts, with pre-market review serving as the primary mechanism for health claim substantiation. However, the lack of alignment among Asian jurisdictions, unlike in more advanced countries, leaves stakeholders and scientists unaware of potential shortcomings in their R&D designs, failing to meet regulatory expectations. This fragmentation can result in substantial financial losses and missed opportunities for health improvements, particularly concerning the rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the region.

🎉🎉🎉 seminar announcement

“ASEAN Health Claims: from Science to Practices”

Propak Asia 2026 (June 12,2026 9.00-12.00) 112 Sapphire , Impact Forum.

On-site registration on top of page and
Zoom and Facebook live QR codes on bottom of page

Synopsis

The current regulatory framework mandates the consideration of scientific evidence for food safety and health impacts, with pre-market review serving as the primary mechanism for health claim substantiation. However, the lack of alignment among Asian jurisdictions, unlike in more advanced countries, leaves stakeholders and scientists unaware of potential shortcomings in their R&D designs, failing to meet regulatory expectations. This fragmentation can result in substantial financial losses and missed opportunities for health improvements, particularly concerning the rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the region.


Innovation and Regulation Network (FIRN)


2026

Security and Health Foundation

06/07/2026

On 2026, GFoRSS joins the global community in advancing this year's theme:

"From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere."

Understanding the burden of foodborne disease is only the beginning. The real impact comes from translating science into effective solutions that prevent risks, protect consumers, and strengthen food systems.

Food regulatory science is at the heart of this effort, providing the foundation for risk-based decisions, innovation, and prevention.

Safe food everywhere starts with science. That is the commitment GFoRSS continues to advance.

06/05/2026

Today, we officially launched the GFoRSS Communication Working Group, marking an important step toward strengthening collaboration, visibility, and engagement across our growing network.

The discussion highlighted the shared commitment of GFoRSS Board Members to collectively support the organization's continued growth and impact. Communication plays a central role in this effort, helping us connect with stakeholders, amplify our initiatives, and promote knowledge sharing within the food regulatory and food safety community.

The newly established Communication Working Group will help guide the development and implementation of future communication strategies, further enhancing GFoRSS's visibility, engagement, and global outreach.

06/04/2026

📢 Save the Date

Training Session on Innovation-Ready Food Regulatory Environments

📆 June 24, 2026 | 🕙 11:00 – 13:00 Cairo time

The session covers 4 modules:
🔹 Module 1 — Foundations of Innovation-Ready Food Regulatory Systems
🔹 Module 2 — Risk Analysis and Predictable Regulatory Pathways
🔹 Module 3 — Managing Emerging Risks and Regulatory Uncertainty
🔹 Module 4 — International Practices and Collaborative Approaches to Manage Innovative Ingredients and Claims

Organized by the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), a disciplinary group of IUFoST.

05/28/2026

The Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) was pleased to contribute to a technical brainstorming session organized in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), bringing together scientific experts and technology partners to support ongoing discussions related to the development of the Codex Standard for Liquid Pasteurized Camel Milk.

GFoRSS scientific team members Dr. Joseph Touma and Dr. Jérémie Théolier represented the Society through a presentation and technical exchange focused on analytical approaches for the detection of camel milk adulteration with milk from other animal species.

The discussions explored different analytical strategies and methodologies, including DNA-based, protein-based, and emerging analytical approaches, aiming to identify suitable options for ensuring authenticity, consumer protection, and scientific robustness in future standard implementation.

We also sincerely acknowledge the valuable contributions and active participation of our technology partners from R-Biopharm AG and Agilent Technologies, whose expertise enriched the discussions and collaborative exchange.

GFoRSS remains committed to supporting science-based discussions and collaborative initiatives that strengthen food integrity, authenticity, and international standard-setting efforts.

05/25/2026

🔊 GFoRSS was pleased to support and participate in the 1st Arab Conference on Celiac Disease Awareness, organized by the Lebanese Celiac Association ( ), bringing together Arab Celiac Associations, healthcare professionals, specialists, regulators, researchers, and stakeholders from across the region.

As part of the conference, Prof. Samuel Godefroy delivered a presentation on: “Gluten Management: Concerted Efforts in the Arab Region”

The presentation highlighted the importance of strengthening integrated approaches to gluten management through:

✔️ Science-based food regulatory frameworks

✔️ Implementation of international standards and guidance, including Codex approaches

✔️ Robust analytical methods and testing strategies

✔️ Preventive controls across the food production chain

✔️ Generation of evidence to support informed decision-making

✔️ Multi-stakeholder collaboration involving regulators, healthcare professionals, academia, industry, and celiac associations.

👉 As awareness of celiac disease continues to grow and the demand for safe gluten-free food options increases, collaborative regional efforts become increasingly important to support consumer protection and public health.

GFoRSS remains committed to supporting scientific dialogue, capacity development, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen food regulatory science and contribute to healthier communities across the Arab region.

05/23/2026

📅 On April 28, 2026, the webinar “Ultra Processed Foods: A Contested Concept” was organized by the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) in collaboration with IUFoST, The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology - AIFST

👉 The discussions explored:

•⁠ ⁠The limitations of single axis classification systems and the risks of oversimplification.

•⁠ ⁠How UPF labeling can create regulatory inconsistencies, trade challenges, and consumer confusion.

•⁠ ⁠The distinction between processing as a tool for safety, accessibility, and fortification versus poor formulation and consumption patterns.

•⁠ ⁠Regional differences in dietary risks, underscoring the importance of context specific approaches.

•⁠ ⁠The potential of multi parameter frameworks to provide balanced, evidence based guidance for future nutrition policy.

Core message: Food science is not the problem — it is the solution. Evidence driven frameworks and innovation will be essential to shape effective nutrition policy and empower consumers.

Webinar Live Recording: https://youtu.be/tiyBadsxkO8

This webinar explores the topic of Ultra‑Processed Foods (UPF), focusing on their classification, scientific basis, and implications for nutrition policy and...

05/18/2026

The Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS) is pleased to support and participate in the 1st Arab Conference on Celiac Disease Awareness, organized by the Celiac Association in Lebanon ( ).

📅 May 25, 2026

⏰ 3:30 PM (Lebanon Time)

📹 Zoom Online Meeting

This important initiative brings together Arab Celiac Associations, physicians, specialists, regulators and stakeholders to strengthen awareness, promote knowledge exchange, and advance discussions on celiac disease across the region.

GFoRSS looks forward to contributing to these important discussions and supporting collaborative efforts that strengthen science, public health, and awareness initiatives in the Arab region.

🔗Register now: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/A8UNYz0HQLOvYx9jLCykjw

05/11/2026

✅The Global Food Regulatory Science Society is participating in the Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, held this week in Ottawa, as part of the International Union of Food Science and Technology delegation.

This participation reflects GFoRSS’s continued engagement, as the disciplinary body of IUFoST dedicated to food regulatory sciences, in supporting science-based international food standards and contributing to global discussions on food labelling, consumer information, and regulatory approaches related to food systems.

brings together Codex Members and Observers to advance ongoing work related to food labelling provisions, fair practices in food trade, and consumer protection.

GFoRSS looks forward to contributing to the discussions and supporting international efforts aimed at strengthening effective, transparent, and science-informed food regulatory frameworks.

05/11/2026

Regional Think Tank on Innovation‑Ready Food Regulatory Systems in Asia

📍 Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
🗓️ 20–21 April 2026 | Hybrid Event

Organized by GFoRSS, FIRN Thailand, and Shanghai JS Life Sciences Institute, and hosted by the Sun Yat‑sen University Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong (IAS). This milestone gathering brought together scientific leaders, policymakers, and regulatory experts to design frameworks that enable Food while safeguarding .

🔑 Key outcomes:

Consensus on regional guidance aligned with principles.

Pilot collaborative assessments on and extracts.

Launch of the ( ), scaling Thailand’s FIRN model.

Commitment to transparent knowledge‑sharing platforms supporting policymaking.

🤝 Participating organizations included:

BPOM Indonesia • CFSA • FIRN Thailand • FoStat Thailand • GFoRSS • Hong Kong Baptist University • Hong Kong Polytechnic University • Indonesian Association of Food Technologists • Industry groups • IUFoST • Philippine Association of Food Technologists • Shanghai Junshi Chen Life Sciences Institute • Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology • Sun Yat‑sen University IAS Hong Kong

📽️ Summary of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VHphkgkp64

🔗 For more information: gforss.org/2026/03/30/asiaregionalthinktank