P114 - Strengthening Food Safety, Food Defence and Food Fraud Measures in South East and Eastern Europe

Food supply chains face a wide range of threats, from accidental contamination and foodborne hazards to deliberate acts of contamination and fraudulent practices. As these risks can extend beyond national borders, effective prevention, detection and coordinated responses are essential to protect public health and regional stability.

To address these challenges, Project P114 – Strengthening Food Safety, Food Defence and Food Fraud Measures in South-East and Eastern Europe is funded by the European Union under the EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative.

Implemented by Expertise France, in partnership with the University of Liège, ENSV–France Vétérinaire Internationale and the University of Donja Gorica–FoodHub, this three-year project supports ten countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine.

Through an integrated approach to food safety, food defence and food fraud, the project aims to strengthen the resilience of food systems, from primary production to the final consumer.

Effective food chain protection relies on strong institutions, reliable controls and skilled professionals.

The project will begin by assessing national legal frameworks, institutional arrangements and technical capacities to identify gaps and priorities for action. These findings will guide targeted support to improve alignment with European and international standards.

Activities will focus on strengthening border and domestic controls, laboratory capacities, surveillance and early warning systems. Practical guidelines, operational tools and national and regional training programmes will help authorities and professionals better identify risks, manage incidents and respond to emerging threats.

Beyond strengthening national capacities, P114 seeks to improve how countries work together to prevent and manage food-related crises.

The project will support the development and testing of Food Defence and Food Fraud Plans, alongside mechanisms for information sharing and coordination between relevant authorities. Regional exercises, including a large-scale simulation of intentional food contamination, will allow participants to test their preparedness, identify gaps and improve joint responses.

This collaborative approach was reflected in the project's official launch in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 19–20 October 2026, which brought together representatives of the Partner Countries, European and regional institutions, and project partners to exchange on priorities and opportunities for cooperation.

By fostering lasting networks of institutions, laboratories and experts, P114 aims to strengthen regional preparedness and build a more coordinated response to threats affecting the food chain.