The FOCACCia project

This project aims to assess the exposure to food additives and contaminants derived from food processing and packaging materials, using previously collected information from a representative sample of the Portuguese population, and to develop predictive statistical models to improve estimation of exposure by additionally using biomarkers from biochemical techniques. Also, it intends to increase knowledge on the influence of these chemicals on adiposity and cognitive function from childhood to adolescence, trying to understand common metabolic pathways, using a longitudinal approach with data from a population-based birth cohort. This project benefits from early work of the team that developed a software for dietary assessment (eAT24), which allows for better exposure assessment. Longitudinal data and the predictive statistical models might contribute to achieve better evidence for developing public policies to reduce exposure to adverse food compounds.

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FOCACCia project is coordinated by Carla Lopes and Duarte Torres, researchers from the Institute of Public Health from the University of Porto, and uses data from a representative sample of the Portuguese population (the national nutrition and physical activity survey, IAN-AF 2015-2016) and from a population-based birth cohort (Generation XXI).

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