Food Allergens: A Problem to Be Solved

Evento organized by SICURAL.

SICURAL is a private Italian analysis and research center founded in Cesena in the late 1980s, specializing in safety and quality control throughout the entire agri-food supply chain, from farm to fork. Our activities include chemical, biological, and product quality analyses on food, water, soil, surfaces, and finished products.

The laboratory performs, among others, analyses for pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, allergens, nutritional parameters, Legionella, Salmonella, Listeria, shelf life, water contaminants, and the quality characteristics of fruit and vegetable products. Recently, we have also launched collaborations with the nutraceutical, cosmetics, and meat sectors.

We offer producers, consultants, consumers, institutions, companies, and other stakeholders a wide range of integrated technical and professional skills. In addition to testing, Sicural provides consulting and applied research. We act as a reliable partner both for verifying compliance with mandatory regulations and for meeting specific client project requirements, including process validation and product enhancement.

Session Content

The conference “Food Allergens: A Problem to Solve,” promoted by SICURAL, aims to address the issue of food allergens as one of the primary challenges for safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management in the agri-food industry.

Moderated by Silver Giorgini, CEO of SICURAL, the event brings together experts from the scientific, analytical, legal, institutional, associative, and industrial sectors, with the goal of offering a multidisciplinary perspective on the issue. Following the welcome addresses by Mario Righi, President of SICURAL, and Francesco Fenga of the National Council of the Order of Food Technologists, the program will delve into the core topics, starting with an in-depth look at food allergies and intolerances presented by Patrizia Restani.

The regulatory framework will be analyzed by Cesare Varallo, focusing on updates in European legislation and providing an overview of US regulations. Serena Pironi will address the issue of "hidden" allergens in the food industry, while Michela Noli of the Italian Celiac Association will draw attention to dietary inclusion and celiac disease.

Technical and practical aspects will be explored in detail. Nicolò Molinari will discuss the ideal hygienic design for facilities handling allergens, and Luca Bernardini will illustrate the role of sanitation as a fundamental tool for prevention and risk control. SICURAL’s contribution, presented by Silvia Zuccherelli and Claudia Fiumana, will showcase the laboratory's experience in allergen analysis, bridging established practices with innovation. Finally, Claire Victoria Marchitti from R-Biopharm will present the analytical solutions available for allergen control.

Ultimately, the conference aims to provide food industry professionals with the knowledge, regulatory understanding, and operational tools necessary to improve the prevention, management, and control of allergens throughout the agri-food supply chain.

Session Program

Moderator: Giorgini Silver - CEO, SICURAL

A buffet will be provided for all participants at the end of the conference.

Participating Food Technologists will be awarded 3 professional training credits (CFP).

For further information, please contact the secretariat of the Order of Food Technologists of Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, and Umbria: formazione@otaemilia-aggregati.it 

The event will be held in Italian

English translation available (see below)