Food safety has been recognised by many governments worldwide as a major challenge, affecting consumer health, producing inefficiencies in animal and plant production systems, and creating trade barriers across the global food web.
 
Within the European Research Area, and within similar programmes elsewhere in the world, a huge amount of data is being generated that could help policy makers and industry to deal successfully with the challenges associated with food safety. High quality research and innovation are prerequisites for improving the quality of life, enhancing social welfare and boosting economic competitiveness. It is expected that broader and more inclusive international cooperation on food safety than the one currently in operation will lead to a more efficient use of research funds, sharing of best practices and a durable partnership with the European Union’s major food trading partners.
 
Collab4Safety is aimed at contributing to an increased cooperation and coordination on food safety at a global level and consequently at contributing to improving quality of life, enhancing social welfare and boosting the economic competitiveness of the European food industry. The Collab4Safety project started on 1 August, 2012 and will run for 4 years, counting with the participation of 10 partners from 8 different countries.