Valencia, May 30, 2024 – The EcoBiotic project (Physiological and Ecological impact of pre- and probiotic interventions in relation to food allergy in early life), funded by the European initiative “Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life” (HDHL) and co-financed by Spain’s International Joint Programming (PCI), held its annual meeting on May 29 and 30 at the Casa de la Ciència, Valencia.
This event, organized by the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), brought together prominent researchers and international experts to discuss the physiological and ecological impact of prebiotic and probiotic interventions in early life, aiming to reduce the risk of food allergies in children.
This multidisciplinary project, which involves leading research institutions from France, Germany, Israel, and Spain, tackles an increasingly relevant public health challenge: food allergies. With the rising prevalence of these conditions worldwide, it is projected that by 2050, 50% of the global population will suffer from allergies.
In light of this, the EcoBiotic project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective preventive strategies. Its central goal is to assess the effects of prebiotics and probiotics administered to pregnant women and their children at the start of life, examining their impact on the development of food allergies, host immunity, and the ecology of the microbiota in feces and breast milk.
Over the two days of the event, the participants made presentations on the project’s objectives as well as specific research conducted by members of the partner organizations. The annual meeting of the EcoBiotic project provides a space for discussing the latest research advancements and for knowledge exchange between the various teams involved. It is expected that this event will foster greater collaboration and generate new ideas to address these challenges.
