About ILSI Europe
Founded in 1978, the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a non-profit, worldwide organisation whose mission is to provide science that improves human health and well-being and safeguards the environment. The European Branch of ILSI (ILSI Europe) was created in 1986 and fosters collaboration among the best scientists from industry, academia and the public sector to provide evidence-based scientific solutions and to pave the way forward in nutrition, food safety, consumer trust and sustainability. To deliver science of the highest quality and integrity, scientists collaborate and share their unique expertise in expert groups, workshops, symposia and resulting publications.
ILSI Europe is funded primarily by its industry members. It also enjoys the support of the European Commission when participating as a partner in EU-funded projects. Academic experts involved in our activities contribute through their voluntary work. ILSI Europe’s membership is open to all companies active in the food or food-related sector, as well as companies engaged in the manufacture of medicinal products and products for human consumption and producers of ingredients used in the food supply chain
Vision
We strive for sustainable, safe and nutritious food solutions for a healthier world through a multi-stakeholder and science-based approach.
Mission
- We foster collaboration between relevant stakeholders;
- We identify existing and emerging challenges in food, nutrition and health, and we facilitate proactive practical solutions;
- We deliver science of the highest quality and integrity;
- We communicate and disseminate our scientific output widely.
Core values
ILSI Europe is committed to act according to the following four values:
Integrity: ILSI Europe embodies the basic stance of our relationship with society and our stakeholders. We commit to honesty and compliance with applicable laws and ILSI Europe principles, policies and highest ethical standards.
Excellence: ILSI Europe constantly strives to excellence in our scientific impact by positioning ourselves at the forefront of scientific knowledge and working with state of the art methods. We support a sustainable food system that embraces innovation as a key factor to maintain and improve safe food for all.
Transparency: ILSI Europe strives for the highest transparency regarding our activities and in our relations to internal and external stakeholders.
Inclusiveness: ILSI Europe embraces diversity and fairness by fostering collaboration and aiming for open and fact-based dialogue by promoting a tripartite approach.
Organisational Structure
*Chair, Vice-Chair, President, Vice-President, Treasurer
About ILSI
Founded in 1978, the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a non-profit, worldwide foundation that seeks to improve the well-being of the general public through the advancement of science. Its goal is to further the understanding of scientific issues relating to nutrition, food safety, toxicology, risk assessment, and the environment. ILSI is recognised around the world for the quality of the research it supports, the global conferences and workshops it sponsors, the educational projects it initiates, and the publications it produces. ILSI’s headquarters are in Washington, DC.
ILSI entities include Brazil, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Mesoamerica, North Andean, South Andean, Southeast Asia Region and Taiwan. ILSI Global operates an U.S. and Canada division and a Global Research Program. Each entity is independent and is funded primarily by its industry members.
General Assembly
The General Assembly of Members (GA) is the ultimate decision making body where each member company is legally represented by one Official Representative appointed by the member company. The GA convenes once a year in March. It approves the annual accounts, takes all decisions relating to budget and programme of activities and elects the members of the Board of Directors.
43 Member Companies (as of April 2021)
Abbott Nutrition | Givaudan International - Naturex | PPG Industries |
ADM / Rudolf Wild | GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare A/S | Premier Foods |
Ajinomoto Europe SAS | Herbalife International Belgium SA | Reckitt Benckiser/Mead Johnson Nutrition |
Arla Foods | H&H Group | Roquette |
AstaReal | IFF | Sanofi |
Ausnutria | Indoor Biotechnologies | Sensus |
Caelus Health | Institut Mérieux | Sherwin Williams |
Cargill | Luigi Lavazza | Südzucker Group |
Clasado | Mayr-Melnhof Karton | Swiss Quality Testing Services - SQTS |
CPKelco | Mondelēz International | Tetra Holdings |
Danone Nutricia Research | Nexira | WALA Heilmittel |
Dow Europe | Novozymes | Yakult Europe |
DSM | Omya International | Yili Innovation Center Europe |
Gelita | PepsiCo International | |
General Mills | Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique |
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee recommends BoD nominees for election by the GA. It composed of the President, the Chairman, the Past President, two non-director industry members and two scientists of international renown nominated by the GA and representing different geographical regions of Europe. The Committee is chaired by the President.
Members of the Nomination Committee
Non-Industry Members | Industry Members |
Prof. Louise Dye – Chair | Dr Douwina Bosscher – Chair of the Board of Directors |
University of Leeds (UK) | Cargill (BE) |
Prof. Philip Calder | Dr Carolien Van Loo-Bouwman |
University of Southampton (UK) | Yili Innovation Center Europe (NL) |
Prof. Hannelore Daniel | |
Technical University of Munich (DE) | |
Prof. Ivonne Rietjens | |
University of Wageningen (NL) |
*Officers
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors (BoD) is the managing body of ILSI Europe. They define the mission and vision of the Institute, they prepare the annual accounts and budget for the forthcoming year and decide on the strategies for the development of the Institute, the scientific priorities following advice of the Scientific Advisory Committee. Their decisions and suggestions are submitted for approval to the GA.
The BoD is composed of a maximum of 10 member company representatives and at least an equal or greater number of scientists from academic and public institutions. Each year 1/3 of the members retires but is eligible for re-election. Board nominees are selected and recommend by the Nomination Committee for election by the GA.
Members of the Board of Directors (as of January 2022)
Non-Industry Members | Industry Members |
Prof. Louise Dye – President* | Dr Douwina Bosscher – Chair* |
University of Leeds (UK) | Cargill (BE) |
To be determined – Vice-President* | To be determined – Vice-Chair* |
Prof. Philip Calder – Past President* | Dr Peter Van Dael – Treasurer* |
University of Southampton (UK) | DSM (CH) |
Prof. Stephan Bischoff | Dr Thomas Gude |
University of Hohenheim (DE) | Swiss Quality Testing Services (SQTS) (CH) |
Prof. Bas Blaauboer | Dr Susanne Kettler |
University of Utrecht (NL) | Mondelēz International (US) |
Prof. Alan Boobis | Dr Laurent Le Bellego |
Imperial College London (UK) | Danone Nutricia Research (FR) |
Prof. Bryan Hanley | Dr Mariusz Michalik |
ACTA (NL) | PepsiCo International (PL) |
Prof. Richard Hurrell | Prof. Bruno Pot |
Federal Institute of Technology – ETH (CH) | Yakult Europe (NL) |
Prof. Cristina Nerin | Dr Janice Rueda |
University of Zaragoza (ES) | ADM (US) |
Prof. Jiri Ruprich | |
National Institute of Public Health (CZ) | |
Prof. Wim Saris | |
University of Maastricht (NL) | |
Prof. Inge Tetens | |
University of Copenhagen (DK) |
*Officers
Scientific Advisory Committee
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is the guarantor of the scientific integrity and excellence of the Institute’s scientific programme. It is composed of a maximum of 20 experts with more than 50% coming from the non-industry sector. It is chaired by the President of ILSI Europe and vice-chaired by the Vice-President. The members of the SAC review and endorse the overall scientific programme of ILSI Europe, including the new activities, with respect to their scientific validity, coherence within ILSI Europe’s programme, feasibility and urgency of the issues.
Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (as of January 2022)
Non-Industry Members | Industry Members |
Prof. Louise Dye – Chair | Dr Neil Buck |
University of Leeds (UK) | General Mills (CH) |
To be identified – Vice-Chair | Dr Oliver Hasselwander |
IFF (UK) | |
Prof. Marco Arlorio | Dr Gloria Pellegrino |
University of Eastern Piedmont (IT) | Luigi Lavazza (IT) |
Ms Susanne Braun | Dr Ricardo Rueda |
University of Hoffenheim (DE) | Abbott Nutrition (ES) |
Prof. Philip Calder | Dr Samin Saner |
University of Southampton (UK) | Mérieux Nutrisciences (FR) |
Dr Laura Righetti | Dr Gerrit Smit |
University of Parma (IT) | Yili Innovation Center Europe (NL) |
Dr David Vauzour | Mr Gavin Stainton |
University of East Anglia (UK) | Herbalife (UK) |
Prof. Mathieu Vinken | |
Free University of Brussels (VUB) (BE) |
Task Forces
Task Forces (TF) are the main catalysers that initiate, develop and manage all projects. They reach their goals and address their issues through expert groups, partnerships in European-Union funded projects, workshops, webinars and conferences. Task forces comprise interested member companies representatives and non-industry experts acting as scientific advisors.
The main roles of the Chair are:
- To take the lead in defining the scientific programme of the task force and ensuring its application;
- To ensure good budget management;
- To closely follow the progress of all expert groups;
- To ensure the active participation of the task force members in the various activities, such as the long-term planning of the scientific programme and the
The main roles of the Vice-Chair are:
- To assist the task force Chair in the preparation and follow-up of meetings;
- To replace the task force Chair in meetings / conference calls when needed.
In principle, ILSI Europe foresees a rotation from the Vice-Chair to the Chair position after three years, with the possibility to extend the mandate of the Chair and Vice-Chair once (maximum two terms) if required.
Task force Co-Chairs must come from academia. Their main roles are:
- To act as scientific advisors of the task force;
- To ensure that the scientific work programme of the given task force and its expert groups is aligned with ILSI Europe’s vision and mission;
- To ensure the scientific integrity of the task force members and expert groups;
- To actively contribute to the development and follow-up of new activity proposals.
In principle, ILSI Europe foresees that the Co-Chair rotates when the task force work programme changes focus.
A new task force is created when a new activity proposal is approved by the Board of Directors, after review by the Scientific Advisory Committee and external academic reviewers, provided it does not fall within the remit of an existing task force and provided it receives the support of at least 5 member companies.
A task force is funded by its supporting member companies and is disbanded when its programme is completed or in case company support is below the required minimum of 5 supporting member companies.
Expert Goups
Task Forces identify new topics of interest and develop new activity proposals, which are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors.
If approved, Task Force members nominate professionals to form the Expert Group (EG) that will carry out the work outlined by the Task Force. Expert Groups comprise at least 50% scientists from academia and the public sector and up to 50% industry scientists, representing on average 10 members in total.
The expert group carries out the work outlined by the task force, e.g. collecting/analysing data/information and writing scientific papers. The output of their work is published primarily in peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminated at relevant events. Each activity has to result in a peer-reviewed publication. A Concise Monograph or Black & White Report (ILSI Europe Report Series) may also be produced at a later stage, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Each expert group includes a Chair from academia and a Vice-Chair from industry or academia. The main roles of an expert group Chair are:
- To ensure the scientific quality of the work performed by the expert group is of a high standard, e.g. unbiased discussions and outputs resulting in a peer-reviewed publication;
- To ensure the scientific coordination of the expert group, which implies taking into account the area of expertise of each expert group member;
- To take the lead in refining new activity proposals;
- To be responsible for the publication of the scientific output (primarily in a peer-reviewed journal).
The role of an expert group Vice-Chair is to replace the expert group Chair in meetings or conference calls when needed.
Secretariat
ILSI Europe’s international team is the coordinating body, responsible for the overall organisation, coordination and accomplishment of the tasks and activities entrusted to the committees, task forces and expert groups.
Have a look to the members of the staff here
Staff Assignments and Project Responsibilities
Committee | Administrator | Support |
Mr Ignacio Garamendi | Board of Directors (BOD) | Mr Frederic Timmermans |
Dr Isabelle Guelinckx | Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) | Mr Frederic Timmermans |
Mr Ignacio Garamendi | Nomination Committee | Mr Frederic Timmermans |
Project Responsibilities | ||
Scientific Unit Coordinator | Task Force / Project | Project Assistant |
Dietary Carbohydrates (DC) | Ms Toula Aslanidis | |
Dr Matthieu Flourakis | Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health (ENLH) | Ms Belinda Antonio |
Nutrition and Brain Health (NBH) | Mr Adam Coventry | |
Qualitative Fat Intake (QFI - closed) – manuscript finalising | Ms Toula Aslanidis | |
Scientific Project Manager | Task Force / Project | Project Assistant |
TBD | Sensory Science & Consumer Behaviour (SSCB) - NEW TASK FORCE | Ms Toula Aslanidis |
TBD | SWEET EU project | Ms Toula Aslanidis |
TBD | Authenticity of Food (AUT) | Mr Adam Coventry |
TBD | Dietary Intake Exposure (DIET) - manuscript finalising | Ms Belinda Antonio |
Ms Nevena Hristozova | Nutrient Intake Optimisation (NO - closed) - manuscript finalising | Mr Adam Coventry |
Obesity and Diabetes (OD - closed ) - manuscript finalising | Mr Adam Coventry | |
FNS Cloud project | Mr Adam Coventry | |
Health Benefits Assessment of Foods (HBA) | Mr Adam Coventry | |
Ms Naomi Venlet | Prebiotics (PRE) | Ms Toula Aslanidis |
Probiotics (PRO) | Ms Toula Aslanidis | |
Alternatives to Animal Testing in Food Safety, Nutrition and Efficacy Studies (AAT) | Ms Belinda Antonio | |
Food Contaminants (FC) | Ms Belinda Antonio | |
Microplastics (MIC) | Mr Adam Coventry | |
Dr Simeon Bourdoux | Nutrition, Immunity and Inflammation (IM - closed) | Mr Adam Coventry |
Packaging Materials (PM) | Mr Adam Coventry | |
FOODSAFETY4EU EU project | Mr Adam Coventry | |
Food Allergy (FA) | Ms Toula Aslanidis | |
Dr Angeliki Stavropoulou | Microbiological Food Safety (MFS) | Ms Toula Aslanidis |
New Approaches to Chemical Risk Assessment for Foods and Food Ingredients (CRA-closed) | Ms Belinda Antonio | |
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) | Ms Belinda Antonio |
Careers
Careers that Advance Science in Nutrition and Food Safety
At ILSI Europe we look for talented, dynamic and passionate professionals with a proven capacity to work in teams and generate results, and a deep understanding of and strong commitment to improve the well-being of the general public through the advancement of science. Each staff member contributes to making ILSI Europe a good place to work with a strong team spirit. We also offer internships opportunities.
Current Jobs Opportunities:
- Scientific Project Manager – This call has been extended until 25 February 2022. We welcome application until then
- Communication Manager – This call has been extended until 25 February 2022. We welcome application until then
Contact Us
Ph: +32-2-771-00-14
Fax: +32-2-762-00-44
E-mail: info@ilsieurope.be
ILSI Europe a.i.s.b.l.
Avenue E. Mounier 83, Box 6
B-1200 Brussels
Belgium