EFLA Congress 2025: In Milan, a debate on the intersection of science and food law

The 2025 Congress of the European Food Law Association (EFLA) will take place in MILAN on 18–19 September 2025 at the Worldhotel Cristoforo Colombo, and will focus on a timely and essential theme: the search for a nexus between science and food law.

EFLA Congress 2025 Milan

In recent months, scientific assessments related to food substances have been at the center of some of the most significant legal controversies in Europe. In response to this growing complexity, EFLA has assembled a formidable group of European and international experts to examine how jurisprudence, regulatory authorities, and the food industry are addressing the challenges that arise at the intersection of science and law.

Congress Content: Three sessions to address key challenges in European food law

🔹 Session 1: The first session will address the legal challenges posed by scientific uncertainty in EU food law. The session will open with a keynote by Lucia Serena Rossi, former Judge at the European Court of Justice and Professor at the University of Bologna, who will reflect on the role of the judiciary in interpreting scientific evidence. This will be followed by in-depth analyses of landmark cases involving Aloe vera, Titanium Dioxide, Smoke Flavourings, and Mancozeb.

🔹 Session 2: The second session will focus on the substantiation of marketing claims, with special attention to green claims, beauty claims, botanical claims, and BPA-free claims. The presentations will explore how the legal landscape is adapting to evolving consumer expectations and increasing regulatory pressure, outlining the future of food product communication.

🔹 Session 3: The third session will explore scientific innovation as a driving force in regulatory change across both Europe and the United States. Topics will include GRAS self-affirmation, the impact of national science on EU regulatory processes, lab-grown food products, the use of regulatory sandboxes, and litigation trends in food and science.

Registration opens by end of July

Registrations will open by the end of July, and full program details will soon be available on the official EFLA website: www.efla-aeda.org

About EFLA (European Food Law Association)

The European Food Law Association (EFLA) is an international non-profit organization that brings together leading experts in food law and policy, including lawyers, academics, and regulatory professionals, and is currently presided over by Paola Corte, partner at Studio Legale Corte. Its members actively contribute to the development of food law through their professional practice and scientific publications.

Founded in Brussels in 1973, EFLA aims to promote understanding and dissemination of food law while supporting its development and international harmonization. The Association holds non-governmental observer status at the Codex Alimentarius and is recognized by several global and regional institutions, including the European Commission.

As part of its mission, EFLA develops position papers on legal issues and fosters expert dialogue by organizing conferences, workshops, and congresses, creating valuable opportunities for in-depth discussion on key aspects of food legislation.