The future of food: lunchbox snack attacks and food label lessons

“High protein”, “natural”, “good for your heart”; food packages make many promises. But which of these claims are scientifically proven, and which are just marketing? In this talk, we explore how food labels are regulated, how health claims are approved, and why choosing healthy food is not always as simple as it looks. Afterwards, you may never read a food label the same way again.

Dr. Alie de Boer leads the food claims research centre in the System Earth Science
Departments of Maastricht University. Her research focuses on the use of science in
food law and policies and how that can lead to safe, healthy and sustainable food
systems and societies.

‘Soon learnt, soon done’ or in Dutch ‘jong geleerd is oud gedaan’. That is definitely true for eating habits and that is precisely what the healthy primary school of the future was invented for. In this talk, you will see what happens when schools provide healthy lunches, nutritious snacks and more opportunities for physical activity. By rethinking the school day, we can ultimately understand what the future generations need to build lifelong healthy habits.

Bo van Engelen studied the healthy primary school of the future within her PhD research. She is now working as a post-doctoral researcher within the planetary health group of System Earth Science studying the impact of transitions in rural agriculture.