Are you a QA manager who wants to develop in the field of quality management and food quality? Our lecture series offers the knowledge and insights of five university lecturers and practical experts to help you grow. From food safety to chain cooperation, economic considerations and digitalization, we cover many essential aspects. Increase your influence within your organization and the food chain. Sign up today for this inspiring course and build a strong foundation for your success! The 5 lectures will take place on Wednesday, March 11, Tuesday, March 24, Tuesday, April 21, Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
This lecture series covers the most important developments for the professional in QA management, who likes to stay informed about the latest developments and their meaning for the field. The program offers insights from science, combined with the relevant practical experiences of guest speakers.
During the lecture series, expert speakers share knowledge from science and practice. An online platform gives you the opportunity to submit questions and cases. Program subject to change.
What will this lecture series give you? At the end of this series you will be able to:
The lectures will be held on the campus of Wageningen University and Research. The lectures start at 16:00 and end around 19:45. This includes a break of approximately 45 minutes during which you will be offered a light meal.
Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwietering, WUR and Aldo Evers, Normec Foodcare
- What are the effects of liability issues?
- How to better estimate (microbiological) risks.
- How to prevent a quality and food safety crisis?
- How do you practice a recall?
Patrick Strijker, Normec Foodcare and guest speaker
- How can the right kind of digitization help to proactively improve product and process quality?
- What are new insights & technologies?
- Why is digitization indispensable for today's quality managers?
- What are striking practical examples?
Karen Schellens MSc, WFSR and speaker Normec Foodcare
- How does the changing food environment affect contaminants?
- Example cases around circularity, protein transition and climate change
- Interaction on potential hazards monitoring and assurance.
ir. Jan Eliën, NVWA and Brenda Tijseling, Normec Foodcare
- Certifications and enforcement by the NVWA provide a (self-)regulating effect within the food industry with absolute priority for food safety.
- Factual risk management and internal and external transparency come together here.
Dr. Pieternel Luning, WUR and Dennis ten Thije, Normec Foodcare
- How do you build internal culture and systems to have sound quality assurance?
- How can internal audits contribute to internal improvements that stick?
- What do customers and consumers want and how do you guarantee that?
- Which tools can you use?
After attending the entire program, you will receive a certificate.
Are you a member of FNLI or a customer of ours? Then report this clearly in the comments field of the registration form and receive a €250 discount. Wageningen Academy will adjust the invoice accordingly.
Our experts are happy to think with you and help you quickly on your way.
Microbiological food safety remains one of the leading causes of recalls in the European food industry. Despite stricter controls, improved process control, and comprehensive HACCP systems, recent incidents show that microbiological risks still pose a real and evolving challenge.
PFAS have been high on the European agenda for several years now. While attention used to be focused primarily on drinking water, soil contamination, and industrial emissions, the focus is increasingly shifting to packaging materials that come into contact with food.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) marks a significant change in European packaging legislation. The new rules affect not only packaging manufacturers but also the entire supply chain, including food companies and QA teams. What exactly does the PPWR entail? What specific changes will there be for food contact materials? And how can your organization prepare for this? We asked an expert in food contact materials and packaging compliance.
Recalls remain an important measure of how robust food safety systems actually function. European authorities such as the FASFC in Belgium, the NVWA in the Netherlands and the corresponding regulators in France and Germany record recalls piece by piece, while the RASFF platform aggregates these signals on a European level. This creates a rich picture of where processes are vulnerable and where companies can still make gains in prevention and quality control. If you compare the recent figures from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France, you see clear similarities in risk categories, but also clear differences in transparency, reporting culture and process errors. It is precisely these insights that help QA professionals sharpen their own systems.
