Biotechnology for safe and wholesome foods

Abstract

Summary Biotechnology (BT) is a multidisciplinary science in itself but application of biotechnological routes to produce Safe and Wholesome Foods needs even more scientific disciplines. Before starting a research project in this area, it is essential to know what will be the benefit for the consumer, because the acceptability of the new BT product by consumers will determine the success of the product in the market. It is also essential to direct the research work, especially the selection of the (host) strains, the absence of unneccesary DNA sequences and the genetic stability of the new constructs, in such a way that the probability of acceptance by the Health Authorities and consumers of the new BT product, is optimal. Moreover the strong sites of BT, its naturalness and its environmental friendliness and its importance to manufacture sufficient quantities of Safe and Wholesome Foods in the developing countries should be communicated to consumers, consumer organisations, environmentalists and authorities more frequently and in better understandable language. Unilever is quite aware of the potentials of new BT processes and products but also of the hurdles to be taken and therefore it organized a symposium inviting external and internal scientists of many disciplines, marketing experts and the top management of Unilever to discuss these items.