Food Fraud, Environmental Crime & Toxicology

Are you interested in the hidden world of food fraud and environmental crime? Do you also want to explore if and how substances involved in these crimes can affect our food, environment and health? Do you want to know what investigations methods are applied to detect fraud and crime? In this course, you will dive into the science behind it and work on a practical case study of your choice (food fraud or environmental crime).

What can you expect?

·        Adulteration, mislabeling and substitution – Gain insight into food fraud practices for economic gain

·        From narcotic production to illegal shipping of e-waste – discover ways criminals commit Environmental Crime

·        Toxicology – Learn how harmful substances impact the body and ecosystem

·        Chemical Analysis – Use simple and/or advanced methods for chemical profiling and analysis of substances that are applied in in food and environmental forensics

·        Forensic Investigation – Learn how criminal investigations are carried out to uncover food fraud and environmental crime

·        Rules & Legislation – gain knowledge about relevant legal frameworks and quality and information management systems

·        Data analysis – gain insight an apply (advanced) data analysis techniques

·        Real case studies – during the entire minor you work on a food fraud OR an environmental crime case study (you select the theme) from practice.

So, if you care about the health of People and Planet and want to apply your detective skills against unfair Profit, apply to this minor.

Added value:

• Unique minor that meets labor market needs
• Interdisciplinary: students from various disciplines participate. Knowledge is offered at your own level
• Case studies and research questions from practice are discussed (partly from the Safety in the Food Chain research group)
• Work in small groups on case-studies of interest
• Company / field visits

Good preparation for an internship or graduation assignment in toxicology, food fraud, environmental crime, and/or analytical chemistry

Food fraud / Environmental crime case study

The student will, under supervision, analyze a food fraud OR an environmental crime case-study by collecting and examining food or environmental samples, applying relevant chemical analytical techniques, obtain and interpret data and report the toxicological implications in relation to the forensic research question, and report the results in a structured and comprehensible manner, adhering to applicable quality standards and legal requirements.

Theory

The student can describe theoretical concepts and principles of e.g. food and environmental toxicology, organ toxicology, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, risk assessment, and analytical (spectroscopic) techniques that are relevant in forensic applications.

Practical

The student can, under supervision, perform laboratory procedures and follow different workshop (e.g. exposure assessment, food vulnerability and threat analysis), interpret the results in relation to the research question, and accurately document these according to applicable quality and safety standards.

At least including propaedeutic exam plus 40EC from bachelor phase, in a study programme in forensic sciences, life sciences, chemistry, food technology, environmental sciences or related. Basic knowledge about biochemistry, and experience working safely in an analytical chemistry and/or (molecular) biology lab.

Based on the external student's field of study, the coordinator determines what specific documents must be provided.

Casarett & Doull’s Essentials of Toxicology, 9780071847087

Student are expected to be available from Monday till Friday. The schedule differs from week to week.

Teaching method(s) and study load

 Lectures including various guest lectures

• Seminars
• Work discussions / tutor groups
• Practicals
• Drafting a research proposal
• Conduct research
• Presentation / jury discussions
• Reporting
• Field trips
• Self study

 30 ECTS = 840 hours in total

• Theoretical exam
• Workshops and (lab) assignment
• Food/Environmental forensic research project
  • Research proposal
  • Labwork
  • Research report
  • Toxicological risk assessment
  • Poster presentation

Grades between: 1-10; 0.1 interval; 5.5 pass

View ECTS credits and grading

Maximum No. of participants / Waiting list​:

24