Cereals and grains form the basis of global diets and the staples made from these crops are a key to end hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2 and 3). Furthermore, cereal and grains are important for living income for farmers and many more along their value chains. However, local production declines and the impact of climate change on cereal production and of geopolitical shocks like the wheat crisis show the lack of resilience of the current food systems in e.g. sub Saharan Africa.

ICCs Cereal Science community is currently mostly focused on Western and upcoming markets and on the main commodities wheat, maize and rice. With this initiative we aim to raise awareness among ICC’s cereal scientists about the growing global scourge of food and nutrition insecurity and to strengthen ICC’s activities and impact on the challenges of the global South.

Excellence of ICC cereal scientific network

• Build an ICC network accessible for (young) cereal scientists in resource poor countries. How can we better involve - and be more accessible for - (young) African/low-income country scientists?
• Promote ICC as the authoritative and independent knowledge and expertise platform on cereals and grains among scientists in the global South.
• Get an overview of ICC people, their collaborators in resource poor regions and their projects related to Cereals and Grain Science for Global Food and Nutrition Security

Relevance of ICC cereal science knowledge

• Raise awareness among cereal scientists about the growing global scourge of food and nutrition insecurity.
• Create a scientific debate about (nutritional) interventions and dietary shifts concerning cereals and wholegrains.
• Develop concerted action type project proposals to empower cereal scientists by sharing scientific approaches and methods like Food System Thinking and successful nutritional interventions

Do you want to join actively in this ICC initiative or share ideas? Send e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

find more information in these presenations: https://icc.or.at/icbc24

News

06 June 2024

Two delegates from the International Association for Cereal Science and Technology (ICC), Dr. Valentina Narducci, the ICC Technical Director, and Dr. Markus Lacorn, a member of the ICC Technical Committee and a Corporate Member (R-Biopharm), attended the 43rd meeting of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS 43) in Budapest from May 13-18, 2024. The meeting was preceded by an Inter-Agency Meeting (IAM) on May 12, which brought together standards development organizations (SDOs) associated with CCMAS.

Key Outcomes and Discussions

1. ICC Methods Included in Codex List: The meeting saw the inclusion of ICC methods in the Codex list of recommended methods of analysis and sampling (CXS234). This is a significant milestone in the ICC's efforts to promote international standards in cereal science and technology.
2. Guideline for Particle Size Distribution: The ICC Recommendation 207 was endorsed as a guideline for measuring particle size distribution of edible cassava flour and gari. However, it was noted that the recommendation will need to be revised this year to include the possibility of using sieves with mesh sizes relevant for these commodities.
3. Incineration Temperature Discussion: The meeting discussed the incineration temperature for various commodities. While several arguments were considered, the question remains open. The Codex Commission will be asked for guidance on whether CCMAS can receive assistance in determining the original intent for ashing temperatures in cereals, pulses, and legumes standards. If not, two provisions for ash at 550 °C and 900 °C for some commodities could be acceptable to allow CCMAS to endorse recommended methods.
4. Methods of Analysis for Precautionary Allergen Labelling: The CCMAS was asked by the Codex Commission to prepare a discussion paper on methods of analysis for precautionary allergen labelling to support the work of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL). The ICC contributed to the discussion by commenting on the first draft document, and the discussion will continue until consensus on a final document is reached.
5. Strengthening Collaboration: The meeting provided an opportunity for friendly discussions with representatives of other SDOs, and the ICC was invited to strengthen its collaboration on issues of common interest.

Overall, the meeting was fruitful, with the ICC contributing to discussions and strengthening its relationships with other SDOs.

News

05 June 2024

Within the ICBC24, we celebrated Awards of the Best Posters sponsored by Journal of Cereal Science, the Official Journal of ICC and the best young speakers sponsored by Foods and Oniris. Celeste Verbeke and Enni Mannila received the Best Poster Award, while Silvia Cera, Shpresa Musa, Muhammad Yahya, and Alejandra Paola Velásquez Barillas were recognized as the Best Speaker Awardees.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all awardees and wish them continued success in their contributions to cereal science. Thank you for showing your outstanding work at the ICBC24!

News

05 June 2024

The ICC has announced the recipients of its prestigious ICC Academy Fellowships and the Friedrich Schweitzer Medal at the ICBC24.

Dr. Luc Saulnier, Dr. Marta S. Izydorczyk, and Prof. Emanuele Maconi were awarded the ICC Academy Fellowships in recognition of their outstanding contributions to cereal science and technology. The Friedrich Schweitzer Medal, which honors the legacy of one of the ICC's founding figures, was presented to Prof. Peter Shewry and Dr. Valentina Narducci, the current ICC Technical Director.

-Dr. Valentina Narducci was recognized for her exceptional work in cereal and analytical assessments. With over 16 years of experience in cereal research and analytical assessment, Narducci has dedicated her career to this field.

-Prof. Peter Shewry, a renowned cereal scientist, was awarded the Friedrich Schweitzer Medal for his extensive research program at Rothamsted Research and the University of Reading, focusing on improving wheat grain quality for human health. Shewry has authored over 500 peer-reviewed papers and edited around 20 books, making a significant impact on the cereal science community.

The ICC Academy Fellowships were awarded to Dr. Luc Saulnier, a senior research scientist at the Nantes INRAE research center, specializing in cell wall polysaccharides in cereal grains and their techno-functional properties; Dr. Marta S. Izydorczyk, a research scientist and program manager at the Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, focusing on the functionality and performance of barley and other grains during processing; and Prof. Emanuele Marconi, the Director of CREA Research Centre for Food and Nutrition in Rome, a prominent figure in cereal science and technology with over 100 peer-reviewed papers.

The awards recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of these individuals to the field of cereal science and technology, and their dedication to advancing the ICC's mission of promoting research, education, and standardization in the industry.

News

04 June 2024