Imagine arriving at a food fraud conference and being handed not only a programme of scientific sessions, but also an invitation to solve mysteries, escape from a fraud room, watch films, play games, listen to music, and debate from the perspective of a fraudster.
That was the experience awaiting participants at the 1st Authentic Food Festival & Conference (AFFC), organised by the EFF-CoP, in Dublin on 27–28 May 2026.
More than 130 participants from 18 countries travelled to University College Dublin to take part in an event that challenged traditional conference formats and reimagined how food authenticity can be discussed, explored, and experienced.
From the moment attendees entered the venue, it was clear that this would not be a typical scientific gathering. Posters filled the lobby, conversations sparked instantly between researchers and industry representatives, and participants found themselves choosing not only between conference sessions but also escape rooms, mini-laboratories, film screenings, workshops, and serious games.
The festival opened with a keynote from Professor Alan Reilly, who reflected on the horsemeat scandal that transformed food fraud from a niche topic into a major policy concern across Europe.
But perhaps the most anticipated moment of the morning was the lively "Food Fraudsters vs Fighters" debate, moderated by Professor Chris Elliott. The room was divided between two opposing sides, each challenged to defend a position that many participants would not normally support. What followed was a thought-provoking discussion that demonstrated just how complex and interconnected food fraud issues have become.
As the day unfolded, attendees explored food fraud from perspectives rarely encountered at traditional conferences. Sessions examined how neuroscience can help explain dishonest behaviour, how trade data can reveal illicit activity within supply chains, and how lessons from anti-corruption programmes can strengthen fraud prevention efforts. These discussions reminded participants that food fraud is not an isolated problem - it is part of a much wider landscape of economic crime, human behaviour, and organisational decision-making.
Meanwhile, across the venue, participants became active contributors rather than passive listeners.
Some entered the "Escape the Fraud Room", working together under pressure to solve authenticity-related puzzles before time ran out.
Others visited the Mini Lab, where they gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge authentication technologies, including portable spectroscopy, DNA-based species identification tools, and innovative analytical platforms.
For many attendees, it was a rare opportunity to interact directly with technologies that are shaping the future of food authenticity testing.
Film screenings offered another perspective. Through documentaries exploring honesty, whistleblowing, and ethical dilemmas, participants were encouraged to reflect on the human stories behind fraud and the individuals who choose to challenge it.
Yet one of the most remarkable aspects of the AFFC was its willingness to blend science with creativity.
In the "Food Fraud Orchestra" workshop, participants explored data sonification—the transformation of scientific data into sound. Later that evening, the conference transformed into the "Science in Tune Café", where discussions on olive oil authenticity and Irish whiskey shared the stage with live musical performances. Researchers, students, regulators, and industry representatives exchanged ideas not only in conference rooms but also over food, music, and conversation.
The second day continued this spirit of innovation and collaboration. Sessions focused on real-world food fraud stories, practical
analytical challenges, and emerging authentication technologies. Early-career researchers engaged with experienced professionals during a dedicated workshop on career development, while others participated in "Dirty Money", a serious game designed to explore how unethical decisions emerge and how they can be prevented.
25 scientific posters showcased research from across the food authenticity landscape, covering topics ranging from honey and olive oil authentication to consumer trust, risk assessment, and emerging analytical methods. The diversity of topics reflected the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of food fraud prevention.
However, the true success of the festival cannot be measured solely by numbers, sessions, or activities. What made the AFFC special was the atmosphere. The event created a space where experts could challenge assumptions, where students could engage directly with leaders in the field, and where new collaborations emerged naturally through shared experiences. The barriers that often separate disciplines, sectors, and organisations seemed noticeably lower. At its core, the festival demonstrated a simple but powerful idea: fighting food fraud requires more than analytical methods and regulations. It requires people. It requires trust. It requires dialogue. And above all, it requires community.
The Authentic Food Festival & Conference was created to bring together the growing European Food Fraud Community of Practice. By the end of two inspiring days in Dublin, it was clear that the community had done far more than simply meet. It had come alive. As participants returned home carrying new ideas, new partnerships, and new friendships, one question could be heard repeatedly throughout the closing conversations: "When is the next one?".
What we can share with you, is that the next one will be held in Greece, in 2027!
Visit Home | EFF-CoP or the FAN EFF-CoP page for further information about the project.
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