Mercadona convenes its scientific committee to discuss the latest advances in food safety

Mercadona's Scientific Committees in Spain and Portugal, comprised of 16 independent scientists of recognized prestige from both countries, convened this Thursday in Valencia to discuss the latest scientific knowledge on future microbiological risks. This will enable the company to anticipate unforeseen issues in this area and implement measures to remain at the forefront.

Both interdisciplinary committees gathered at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University headquarters, where the Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer, Alicia López Castellano, emphasized "the importance of transferring the research we conduct in universities to the business sector, in a key area for health such as food safety. At CEU Cardenal Herrera, we have several research groups in Health and Veterinary Sciences dedicated to designing control measures to ensure the quality and safety of the products we consume. This gathering of scientists at our headquarters, including our professor Daniel Ramón, is an ideal forum for transferring the latest advances in these areas."

The day unfolded in a working environment where the importance of working "proactively in food safety, as it is the most rigorous way to work because it allows for the evaluation of possible measures," was discussed, according to Ana Troncoso, a member of the company's Scientific Committee in Spain. A Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Seville, she moderated one of the two working groups that took place at today's meeting and advocated the importance of "staying ahead" in these matters "because from the time a new scientific discovery is made until it is incorporated into regulations, time is lost in assessing potential risks."

The second session was moderated by Daniel Ramón, also a member of Mercadona's Scientific Committee. A Doctor of Biological Sciences and a professor of Food Technology at CEU Cardenal Herrera University, he highlighted that "the speed at which science has developed and improved means that today we have tools for food safety that fifteen years ago were the dreams of a few visionaries."

With this meeting, Mercadona has taken another step towards ensuring robust quality and food safety across all its product lines, which is why it internally promotes a food safety culture shared by all links in the chain, leading to the development of this preventive strategy. "We thoroughly analyze all processes in our assembly line to visualize potential risks and anticipate them with solutions, and for this, the educational and consulting work of both scientific committees is key," says Mabel Montolio, Director of Food Safety at Mercadona.

For years, Mercadona has had independent, scientific, transparent, and internationally recognized external advisory. In Spain since 2004 and in Portugal since 2022. These "committees of wise men," composed of scientists from various specializations, provide training, information, technical support, and scientific assistance in different specialties, aiming to ensure the highest quality with food safety in the company's processes and products.

Regarding the composition of both Scientific Committees, in addition to the mentioned scientists, in Spain: José Juan Rodríguez, a doctor in veterinary medicine and expert microbiologist (Autonomous University of Barcelona); Ana Canals, a doctor in Biological Sciences (Complutense University of Madrid); Arturo Anadón, a doctor in Veterinary Medicine (Complutense University of Madrid); Andrés Otero, a doctor in Veterinary Medicine (University of León); Andreu Palou, a doctor in Biochemistry (University of the Balearic Islands); Juan José Badiola, a doctor in Veterinary Medicine (University of Zaragoza) and current president of the Committee; Pilar Vinardell, a doctor in Pharmacy (University of Barcelona) and José Miguel Mulet, a doctor in Biochemistry and expert in Molecular Biology (Polytechnic University of Valencia).

The Mercadona Scientific Committee in Portugal includes: Alexandra Silva, an expert in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Faculty of Pharmacy of Lisbon), Paula Teixeira, an expert in Microbiology and a doctor in biotechnology (Portuguese Catholic University), Fernanda Vilarinho, a doctor in Materials Engineering (Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon), Sandra Chaves, a doctor in biology (University of Lisbon), Inês Pádua, a doctor in Nutrition Sciences (University of Porto) and Duarte Torres, a doctor in Chemical and Biological Engineering (University of Porto).