Nicosia, March 11, 2026. Four European research and innovation projects are joining forces to tackle emerging risks threatening food security in Europe. In this context, an international webinar will be held on March 31, 2026, to analyze the challenges posed by food fraud, cyber threats, and chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) incidents across the food supply chain.
The online event, held on the Zoom platform from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CET, will bring together experts, researchers, and representatives of European projects to discuss how these threats can affect food availability, safety, and integrity, as well as the resilience of European food systems.
Food security is becoming an increasingly complex challenge due to the interconnected risks affecting supply chains. From food fraud and governance vulnerabilities to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and CBR incidents, these threats require integrated responses and cooperation at the European level.
The webinar will bring together four projects funded by the European Union, each addressing a different dimension of food security:
- EFF-CoP, which analyzes food fraud risks and builds trust in supply chains;
- ACT4FOOD, focused on combating cyber and cyber-physical threats that can affect food systems;
- SECUREFOOD, which aims to strengthen the resilience and governance of food systems to support long-term food security;
- DEFENSEFOOD, dedicated to improving preparedness and response to chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) threats.
“Food security can no longer be approached solely from the perspective of production or food safety. Today, we are discussing a complex system that faces risks of fraud, cyberattacks, and potential chemical or biological incidents. Collaboration between European projects is essential to identify vulnerabilities and develop effective solutions to protect food chains and consumers,” says Dr. Odysseas Kokkinos, Project Coordinator of the ACT4FOOD project on behalf of INNOV-ACTS Limited (Cyprus).
The event will begin with a brief introduction to the meeting’s objectives and to how food security should be approached as a cross-cutting challenge that encompasses system integrity, operational continuity, and crisis preparedness.
During the webinar, each project will have a presentation of approximately 10 minutes, explaining how it contributes to protecting food security in Europe.
The program will also include interactive polls and an open discussion among participants, aimed at highlighting experts’ perceptions of the main vulnerabilities of food systems.
Questions posed to participants include how different types of threats—fraud, cyberattacks, or CBR incidents—can undermine food security and which of its dimensions is perceived as most vulnerable.
The event will conclude with a question-and-answer session, during which participants can engage in direct dialogue with experts involved in European projects.
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Event details:
Title: Safeguarding Food Security in Europe: Managing Fraud, Crisis Risks, CBR and Cyber Threats Across the Food Supply Chain
Date: March 31, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m. CET
Format: Online (Zoom)
https://ucd-ie.zoom.us/j/69904431827?pwd=KmcQTgTOJOsbjJnibeDfQf4Ndjzw4Y.1
