23-10-2026

The first results of the ALSEMAC project are beginning to take shape, following the annual meeting of project partners, which took place October 7–9 in Madeira. The meeting brought together universities, research centers, public administrations, agricultural sector organizations, and social entities from Macaronesia and West Africa.

The meeting provided an opportunity to share progress in ALSEMAC’s three main areas: the analysis of food safety and composition, the development of more sustainable agricultural practices, and the study of public perception. It also allowed for the comparison of methodologies and the coordination of the next phase of work in Macaronesia and West Africa.

Food Safety and Composition

One of the meeting’s key highlights was the presentation of the results from the analysis of hundreds of plant- and animal-based food samples sold in the Canary Islands and Madeira, which did not reveal levels exceeding the established limits for the chemical contaminants under study, such as pesticides.

However, the results suggest that it is advisable to continue monitoring exposure in certain foods and population groups. To this end, the project adapted and validated specific methodologies for analyzing this type of food.

An initial characterization of rare earth elements in foods of animal origin was also presented. This is still a preliminary approach, which will need to be supplemented with a larger number of samples before a comprehensive assessment of exposure and potential risk can be conducted.

Sampling efforts are also being expanded to Cape Verde, Senegal, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. In these countries, partner organizations are proceeding with the collection of samples of plant- and animal-based foods, including dairy products, as well as preparing them for subsequent analysis.

Public Perception and Communication on Food Safety

The workshops also served to disseminate the results of surveys on perceptions of food risks conducted in the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores, Cape Verde, and Côte d’Ivoire. The 2,706 responses collected allow for the cross-referencing of information on people’s food choices, risk perception, and the information ecosystem, identifying gaps between citizens’ concerns and the information they receive.

This line of research has already led to a first scientific article on urban consumers in Côte d’Ivoire.

Sustainable production, biological control, and waste recovery

Trials of alternatives aimed at reducing the use of plant protection products were also highlighted in Madeira. A presentation was given on the monitoring of pests affecting certain foods, as well as a study on the conversion of agricultural waste and other local organic materials into biochar, compost, bokashi, and vermicompost. These products are being tested on specific crops, while training activities and field trials involving different fertilization strategies are also underway.

From the Lab to the Community: ALSEMAC in the Azores

In the Azores, the University of the Azores and the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation have been conducting research in key areas of the ALSEMAC project, specifically the collection of plant- and animal-based foods—including certain fish species—with a particular focus on locally produced products of regional interest. These samples are being analyzed to monitor chemical contaminants, thereby deepening our understanding of the safety of food consumed in the Azores.

The analytical results will subsequently be cross-referenced with data on the dietary habits of Azoreans, collected as part of the project, in order to supplement the information obtained in the Azores through the 2015–2016 National Dietary Survey. The University of the Azores and the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation are also working on monitoring key crop pests and developing phytosanitary fact sheets, technical data sheets, and crop manuals relevant to the region, incorporating integrated pest management strategies and aimed at producers, agricultural associations, and public authorities. These ongoing projects were presented at the conference held in Madeira.

This participation reinforces the Azores’ role in ALSEMAC, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and the region’s concrete needs and contributing to safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems, based on promoting local production, protecting crops, and providing consumer information.

The Canary Islands play a significant role in this initiative, which involves the University of La Laguna, the Canary Islands Institute of Technology, the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology of the Spanish National Research Council (IPNA-CSIC), the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands Institute of Agricultural Research (ICIA — Plátano de Canarias (ASPROCAN), and the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Department of the Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty, and Water Security.

Madeira is represented by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries of the Regional Government.

The ALSEMAC project is an initiative focused on promoting the production and responsible consumption of safe, healthy, and sustainable food—Triple-S—within a circular economy framework. It is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Interreg VI-D Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands Program (MAC 2021–2027).

More information: https://alsemacproject.com

Press contact:
David Horta Lopes - david.jh.lopes@uac.pt
Associate Professor with tenure | Project Leader for the ALSEMAC project at the University of the Azores

Ana Teresa Madeira Sarmento - ana.tp.sarmento@uac.pt
Postdoctoral researcher for the ALSEMAC project at the University of the Azores | Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation

 21-10-2026

In 2027, the University of the Azores Scientific Merit Award, presented by the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation and sponsored by Caixa de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo Açores, will be dedicated to the field of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, continuing the mission of promoting and recognizing the excellence of scientific research conducted at the University of the Azores.

This initiative aims to highlight the merit and quality of scientific work, contributing to the promotion of the knowledge produced by the academic and scientific community at the University of the Azores.

The selection of this field of study for the 2027 edition reinforces the recognition of the importance of research in Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences as scientific fields that make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge and to addressing societal challenges.

The call for entries, including the conditions for participation and evaluation criteria, as well as the composition of the jury, will be published in due course on the official website of the Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation at fgf.uac.pt.

 16-10-2026

The initiative brought together experts, institutional representatives, businesses, and academia to reflect on the role of quality, sustainability, and innovation in the development of island regions.

The 10th Azores Regional Quality Conference, organized by the Portuguese Association for Quality, will take place on October 15 and 16 at Arquipélago—Center for Contemporary Arts, in Ribeira Grande, under the theme “Macaronesia: Quality, Cooperation, and Competitiveness in Island Territories.”

The event serves as a forum for reflection and knowledge sharing on the challenges and opportunities facing island territories, fostering dialogue among the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.

The first day’s program included plenary sessions, roundtables, and thematic panels dedicated to strategic areas for regional development, namely Atlantic sustainability and the blue economy, innovation and quality in island territories, people and quality of life on the islands, financing and cooperation instruments, and quality and governance in the outermost regions.

The diversity of perspectives and experiences shared by the speakers helped enrich the debate on solutions capable of addressing the specific challenges of island life, highlighting the value of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration among different sectors of society.

In a context marked by economic, environmental, and social challenges, cooperation among public institutions, businesses, universities, and research centers is particularly important in developing integrated and sustainable solutions.

Bringing the territories of Macaronesia closer together helps strengthen collaborative networks, promote the sharing of best practices, and identify opportunities for joint development, thereby contributing to the competitiveness and resilience of island regions.

The second day of the conference, October 16, is dedicated to Open Days, providing participants with direct contact with leading organizations in the region and the opportunity to learn about experiences, practices, and solutions applied to the Azorean business and institutional context.

The Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation highlights the importance of initiatives of this nature, which foster the integration of scientific knowledge, innovation, and regional development, thereby reinforcing the role of cooperation in building more sustainable, resilient, and competitive regions.