JOINING FORCES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ANIMAL STUDIES IN FOOD SCIENCES
Task Force Information
Objectives
This unique transversal and multi-stakeholder Task Force aims to:
- review the recently developed methods and build a consensus on how and what is needed to reduce animal testing in food and beverage development;
- provide evidence-based science and evaluate potential strategies and approaches that ultimately could replace animal testing in food sciences;
- communicate and disseminate the opportunities for alternatives in the food and drink sector.
Task Force Members
Cyrille Krul – Co-Chair | University of Applied Sciences of Utrecht | Director of Research Centre | NL |
Lonneke Wilms | DSM Firmenich | Toxicologist | CH |
Johanneke van der Harst | Danone Nutricia Research | Chair Animal Welfare Body | NL |
Geraldine Borja | ILSI Europe | Scientific Project Manager | BE |
Contact Information
For more detailed information, please contact Geraldine Borja at gborja@ilsieurope.be
Activity Overview
Ongoing
- What Are the Challenges to Use Vital Human Material as an Innovative Approach to Move Towards Human-Based Science and Avoid Animal Research & Testing?
Identify existing tools and approaches that are not reliant on generating data in animals for safety evaluation in the food, nutrition and beverage sector. The outputs of this activity (case studies and roadmap) will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication, and shared with national and international authorities probably through a workshop.
Start date: September 2021 - End date: January 2024
In the pipeline
- Prebiotics and Animal Free Testing
The Prebiotics Task Force and NAMs Task Force have developed a new project to address the implementation of NAMs in prebiotic research through a gap analysis and a strategic mapping of existing models.
Expected kick-off: Q4 2024
Expert Groups
What Are the Challenges to Use Vital Human Material as an Innovative Approach to Move Towards Human-Based Science and Avoid Animal Research and Testing?
Output
Expert Group Members
Cyrille Krul – Chair | University of Applied Sciences of Utrecht | Director of Research Centre | NL |
Katherina Sewald – Co-Chair | Fraunhofer ITEM | Head of Department | DE |
Erin Hill | Institute for In Vitro Sciences | President | US |
Jacob Larson | Herbalife Nutrition | Senior Research Scientist | US |
Evita van de Steeg | The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) | Senior Scientist | NL |
Johanneke van der Harst | Danone Nutricia Research | Chair Animal Welfare Body | NL |
Prebiotics and Animal Free Testing
Traditionally, research heavily relied on animal models to study the effects of prebiotics. However, their relevance to human physiology is questioned, especially concerning gut microbiota composition and function. This Expert Group will investigate the challenges and opportunities in implementing new approach methodologies (NAMs), such as in vitro models and computational simulations, for prebiotic research. The central research question is whether validated animal-free models, or combinations of non-animal and human based methods, can demonstrate gut microbiome changes and their impact on prebiotic-related health benefits, focusing on gut health, immune response, and cognition.
The group aims to:
- Map existing NAMs and evaluate their capability to simulate human physiological conditions relevant to the health outcomes of interest, through a systematic literature review.
- Conduct a gap analysis of existing and potential New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for prebiotic research through stakeholder workshops and expert consultation.
- Develop a decision tree to help select appropriate models based on their mode of action. By identifying gaps and limitations, the goal is to provide guidance for the development and use of NAMs in preclinical models for prebiotic research.
The activity is shared with the Prebiotics Task Force
Output
This activity will result in a Perspective Paper.
Expert Group Members
Cyrille Krul | University of Applied Sciences Utrecht | NL |
Johanneke van der Harst | Danone Nutricia Research | NL |
Danica Bajic | DSM-Firmenich | CH |
Annick Pollet | Cargill | BE |
Publications
White Papers/Reports
No results.