CNR ISPA - Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari

The Institute of Food Production Sciences (CNR-ISPA) is the center of excellence of the National Research Council dedicated to the safety, quality, and sustainability of the entire agri-food supply chain. It operates for safer, healthier, and more competitive food in Italy and worldwide.

Research and Impact: Safety, Quality, and Sustainability

ISPA's activities focus on critical areas of the agri-food sector, utilizing multidisciplinary approaches and the most advanced omics and biotechnological technologies.

Food Safety
ISPA is leader in the field of diagnostics and innovative methods for controlling chemical and microbiological risks. It develops effective solutions for the detection of mycotoxins, toxigenic fungi, pathogenic microorganisms, and allergens in food and feed, with the objective to ensure product safety, strengthening consumer trust and supporting production chains.

Inovation for Quality and Valorisation
ISPA’s research is aimed at improving the nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of products. ISPA develops functional and probiotic foods, natural biopreservatives, and advanced packaging systems. ISPA preserves and enhances biodiversity (e.g., the Mediterranean diet) and support the traceability of Italian agri-food excellence.

Sustainability and Circular Economy
ISPA is committed to developing sustainable agricultural practices, advanced preservation and logistics techniques, and biotechnological processes for the valorization of agri-industrial waste and by-products. ISPA contributes to reducing the environmental impact of the supply chain and creating new opportunities in the perspective of the circular economy

Excellence and Collaborations

• Technological Platforms: ISPA uses state-of-the-art instrumentation, from omics technologies (genomics, proteomics) to advanced techniques for biotechnological analysis and transformation.
• Scientific Heritage: ISPA manages internationally certified microbial collections of agri-industrial interest, essential resources for research and the development of new products.
• Global Networking: Thanks to a consolidated network of collaborations with international research institutes and industrial partners, ISPA facilitates technology transfer for the benefit of the national and global production system.