Scientific Publications

Scientific Publications

ILSI Europe disseminates science by publishing articles on original research, literature reviews and gap analyses, and meeting proceedings in peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors. ILSI Europe also publishes books, monographs, white papers, and other reports.

Discover below our latest scientific publications.

Journal Articles

Plant-based proteins for infant formula: findings and recommendations from the ILSI Europe workshop

This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.

Read more

Building a roadmap to nutrition for Healthy Ageing: a brief report on the ILSI Europe Healthy Ageing Task Force

At the end of October 2024, ILSI Europe brought together industry and academic experts from different fields to identify research gaps and challenges in nutritional interventions supporting healthy ageing. The objectives of the Healthy Ageing Working Group workshop were to address the urgent need to define ageing outcomes and associated biomarkers, determine the trajectory of functional ageing across the lifespan, and leverage technology to tailor nutritional and lifestyle interventions for healthy ageing. This brief report presents the key points highlighted during this workshop.

Read more

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => publication
            [posts_per_page] => 5
            [type] => 
            [area] => 
            [committee] => 
            [authors] => 
            [showtitle] => 
            [meta_query] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_type
                            [value] => journal-article
                            [compare] => =
                        )

                )

            [tax_query] => Array
                (
                )

            [paged] => 1
            [meta_key] => _ilsi_date
            [orderby] => meta_value
            [order] => DESC
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => publication
            [posts_per_page] => 5
            [type] => 
            [area] => 
            [committee] => 
            [authors] => 
            [showtitle] => 
            [meta_query] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_type
                            [value] => journal-article
                            [compare] => =
                        )

                )

            [tax_query] => Array
                (
                )

            [paged] => 1
            [meta_key] => _ilsi_date
            [orderby] => meta_value
            [order] => DESC
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => all
            [menu_order] => 
             => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_3_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [key] => _ilsi_type
                                    [value] => journal-article
                                    [compare] => =
                                )

                            [relation] => OR
                        )

                    [relation] => AND
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [meta_table] => wp_3_postmeta
            [meta_id_column] => post_id
            [primary_table] => wp_3_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => wp_3_postmeta
                    [1] => mt1
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                    [wp_3_postmeta] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                            [compare] => =
                            [compare_key] => =
                            [alias] => wp_3_postmeta
                            [cast] => CHAR
                        )

                    [mt1] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_type
                            [value] => journal-article
                            [compare] => =
                            [compare_key] => =
                            [alias] => mt1
                            [cast] => CHAR
                        )

                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_3_posts.ID
					 FROM wp_3_posts  INNER JOIN wp_3_postmeta ON ( wp_3_posts.ID = wp_3_postmeta.post_id )  INNER JOIN wp_3_postmeta AS mt1 ON ( wp_3_posts.ID = mt1.post_id )
					 WHERE 1=1  AND ( 
  wp_3_postmeta.meta_key = '_ilsi_date' 
  AND 
  ( 
    ( mt1.meta_key = '_ilsi_type' AND mt1.meta_value = 'journal-article' )
  )
) AND ((wp_3_posts.post_type = 'publication' AND (wp_3_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR wp_3_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')))
					 GROUP BY wp_3_posts.ID
					 ORDER BY wp_3_postmeta.meta_value DESC
					 LIMIT 0, 5
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 17197
                    [post_author] => 351
                    [post_date] => 2026-06-24 09:51:16
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2026-06-24 09:51:16
                    [post_content] => 

Abstract

The PRObiotic human study Design And REporting recommendations provide a structured framework for designing and reporting human studies with probiotics, addressing challenges related to product viability. Five main study types are identified. Exploratory studies are early-phase, first-in-human investigations designed to evaluate effects or generate hypotheses and require specification of strain, dose, stability, and assessment of acceptance and adverse events. Pilot studies assess the feasibility of protocols and logistics before larger trials, with clearly defined objectives, compliance measures, and data management plans. Randomized controlled trials represent the reference standard for evaluating efficacy and safety and include the use of core outcome sets, blinding procedures, and adherence monitoring. Real-world studies evaluate effectiveness outside controlled research settings and require detailed protocols, comprehensive data capture, and predefined approaches for handling inconsistencies. Observational cohort studies examine associations between probiotic exposure and outcomes over time, with clearly defined endpoints, cohort selection criteria, and analysis plans. Across all study types, probiotic-specific considerations include strain characterization and sequencing, verification of identity, purity, viability, antimicrobial resistance, minimization of confounding factors, management of cross-contamination, and consistency of dosage. These recommendations aim to enhance study quality and reporting and to guide researchers in selecting study designs appropriate to their objectives.

Publication doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2026.100668

Read the full paper

Publication one-pager summary

Clinical Study Design Decision Tree

PRODARE Expert Recommendations

Download PRODARE .ppt slides [post_title] => Probiotic Human Study Design and Reporting (PRODARE): Recommendations to Improve Research Practice [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => probiotic-human-study-design-and-reporting-prodare-recommendations-to-improve-research-practice [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-06-26 13:45:47 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-06-26 13:45:47 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=17197 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 16751 [post_author] => 351 [post_date] => 2025-11-21 09:39:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-21 09:39:34 [post_content] =>

Abstract

Background

Early-life exposures might negatively affect fetal and infant development, predisposing children to obesity. This study aimed to systematically identify and evaluate risk factors for childhood obesity in preconception, pregnancy, and infancy, and assess their potential for future prediction and prevention strategies.

Methods

This systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42022355152) included longitudinal studies from selected electronic databases published between inception and August 17th, 2022, identifying maternal, paternal, or infant risk factors from preconception until infancy for childhood obesity between 2 and 18 years. Screening and data extraction were conducted using standardized forms. We assessed risk factor quality on modifiability and predictive power using a piloted criteria template from ILSI-Europe-Marker-Validation-Initiative.

Findings

We identified 172 publications from observational and five publications from intervention studies involving n = 1,879,971 children from 37, predominantly high-income, countries. Average reported childhood obesity prevalence was 11.1%. Pregnancy and infancy risk factors were mostly studied. We identified 59 potential risk factors; 23 were consistently associated. Strongest risk factors were: higher maternal prepregnancy weight (n = 28/31 publications with positive associations), higher gestational weight gain (n = 18/21), maternal smoking during pregnancy (n = 23/29), higher birth weight (n = 20/28), large-size-for-gestational-age-at-birth (n = 17/18), no breastfeeding (n = 20/31), and higher infant weight gain (n = 12/12). Level of evidence was generally moderate due to unreliable exposure measurement, short follow-up/loss to follow-up, and risk of confounding.

Interpretation

We identified seven early-life risk factors, which were strongly associated with childhood obesity, and can contribute to future prediction and prevention strategies. These findings support the implementation of prevention strategies targeting these risk factors from a clinical and population perspective, where possible integrated with implementation studies.

One pager

Read the full paper

Commissioned by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force

[post_title] => Risk Factors in the First 1000 Days of Life Associated With Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and Risk Factor Quality Assessment [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => risk-factors-in-the-first-1000-days-of-life-associated-with-childhood-obesity-a-systematic-review-and-risk-factor-quality-assessment [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-21 09:58:16 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-21 09:58:16 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=16751 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 16755 [post_author] => 351 [post_date] => 2025-11-21 10:07:53 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-21 10:07:53 [post_content] =>

Abstract

This Review Article summarizes outcomes from the ILSI Europe expert workshop on plant-based proteins in infant formula, held in November 2024. Experts from academia, clinical nutrition, and food science evaluated the current use and future potential of plant-based protein sources in infant formula, considering nutritional adequacy, allergenicity, sustainability, processing technologies, and regulatory constraints. While soy and hydrolyzed rice proteins are already approved and in use, emerging sources such as pea, lentil, and faba beans show promise but require further validation of their amino acid profiles, digestibility, safety, and suitability for infants. Key research priorities identified include the development of improved protein extraction methods, in vitro digestion and allergy modeling, and targeted clinical studies. This review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspectives to support the development of sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based infant formulas.

Publication doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1677243

Read the full paper

Publication one-page summary

Commissioned by the Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health Task Force

[post_title] => Plant-based proteins for infant formula: findings and recommendations from the ILSI Europe workshop [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => plant-based-proteins-for-infant-formula-findings-and-recommendations-from-the-ilsi-europe-workshop [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-06-25 08:45:26 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-06-25 08:45:26 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=16755 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 16687 [post_author] => 351 [post_date] => 2025-10-23 13:12:08 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-10-23 13:12:08 [post_content] =>

Abstract

At the end of October 2024, ILSI Europe brought together industry and academic experts from different fields to identify research gaps and challenges in nutritional interventions supporting healthy ageing. The objectives of the Healthy Ageing Working Group workshop were to address the urgent need to define ageing outcomes and associated biomarkers, determine the trajectory of functional ageing across the lifespan, and leverage technology to tailor nutritional and lifestyle interventions for healthy ageing. This brief report presents the key points highlighted during this workshop.

Read the full paper

Commissioned by the Healthy Agein Task Force

[post_title] => Building a roadmap to nutrition for Healthy Ageing: a brief report on the ILSI Europe Healthy Ageing Task Force [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => building-a-roadmap-to-nutrition-for-healthy-ageing-a-brief-report-on-the-ilsi-europe-healthy-ageing-task-force [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-23 15:07:31 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-23 15:07:31 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=16687 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 16670 [post_author] => 351 [post_date] => 2025-10-10 10:13:35 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-10-10 10:13:35 [post_content] =>

Abstract

In its simplest form, risk is the product of hazard, i.e. toxic potency of a chemical substance, and exposure, or dose. Hazard-based decision-making is based solely on hazard without any consideration of exposure. The development of mitigation strategies should prioritise mycotoxins that regularly occur at undesirable levels in commonly consumed commodities, wherein both the toxicological profiles and effectiveness of mitigation are understood with a reasonable degree of certainty. This manuscript presents a framework for risk prioritisation of mycotoxins in food, integrating hazard assessment, exposure evaluation, and for the first time appraisal of mitigation strategies. More specifically, by (1) identifying the mycotoxins relevant for each food categories, by (2) assigning a severity score for the pivotal effect of each mycotoxin; by (3) calculating the respective food-categories' contributions to the combined exposures and by (4) assessing the existing mitigation strategies, the framework aims to prioritise mycotoxins based on their health risks and potential for effective risk mitigation. As a proof of concept, the framework was applied in two wheat-based food commodities - bread and pasta -, focusing on Ochratoxin A (OTA), Deoxynivalenol (DON), and Zearalenone (ZEN), revealing that OTA in bread is the highest priority concern, followed by DON in bread.

Publication one-pager

Read the full paper

Commissioned by the Food Contaminants Task Force

[post_title] => Framework on risk prioritisation of mycotoxins in food: a case study in two wheat-based products [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => framework-on-risk-prioritisation-of-mycotoxins-in-food-a-case-study-in-two-wheat-based-products [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-10 10:23:41 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-10 10:23:41 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=16670 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 5 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 17197 [post_author] => 351 [post_date] => 2026-06-24 09:51:16 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-06-24 09:51:16 [post_content] =>

Abstract

The PRObiotic human study Design And REporting recommendations provide a structured framework for designing and reporting human studies with probiotics, addressing challenges related to product viability. Five main study types are identified. Exploratory studies are early-phase, first-in-human investigations designed to evaluate effects or generate hypotheses and require specification of strain, dose, stability, and assessment of acceptance and adverse events. Pilot studies assess the feasibility of protocols and logistics before larger trials, with clearly defined objectives, compliance measures, and data management plans. Randomized controlled trials represent the reference standard for evaluating efficacy and safety and include the use of core outcome sets, blinding procedures, and adherence monitoring. Real-world studies evaluate effectiveness outside controlled research settings and require detailed protocols, comprehensive data capture, and predefined approaches for handling inconsistencies. Observational cohort studies examine associations between probiotic exposure and outcomes over time, with clearly defined endpoints, cohort selection criteria, and analysis plans. Across all study types, probiotic-specific considerations include strain characterization and sequencing, verification of identity, purity, viability, antimicrobial resistance, minimization of confounding factors, management of cross-contamination, and consistency of dosage. These recommendations aim to enhance study quality and reporting and to guide researchers in selecting study designs appropriate to their objectives.

Publication doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2026.100668

Read the full paper

Publication one-pager summary

Clinical Study Design Decision Tree

PRODARE Expert Recommendations

Download PRODARE .ppt slides [post_title] => Probiotic Human Study Design and Reporting (PRODARE): Recommendations to Improve Research Practice [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => probiotic-human-study-design-and-reporting-prodare-recommendations-to-improve-research-practice [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-06-26 13:45:47 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-06-26 13:45:47 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://ilsi.eu/?post_type=publication&p=17197 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => publication [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 335 [max_num_pages] => 67 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => 1 [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => fbb1377d702532f1d039b365997fb088 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => wp_query:fc504661cdf50bd6592d4ad8a098d0eb )