Food Innovation

The objective of the research is to analyse the effects new technologies and technical scientific innovation produce on the agri-food sector, with special attention paid to how progress can have significant consequences for the sustainability of food systems. The study focuses on the legal challenges that new technologies in the agri-food sector pose across several areas:

a) the regulation of artificial intelligence and its data (or Big Data) in the agri-food chain;

b) the regulation of new food products or innovative production techniques, specifically Novel Foods, new genomic techniques (genetic editing, CRISPR);

c) the relation between scientific uncertainty and punitive law in the agri-food sector, with reference also to the precautionary principle, which poses significant problems in terms of compatibility with the principles of legality, offensiveness and causality in the risk society;

d) the challenges generated by the use of technological innovation tools in the agri-food chain regarding labour law.

COORDINATOR: Francesco Mazzacuva

MEMBERS: Bianchi Malaika, Cadoppi Alberto, Cassibba Fabio Salvatore, Coden Alessandro, Consorte Francesca, Depietri Alessia, Favretto Carlotta, Iorio Ludovico, Pantano Fabio, Pongolini Giulia, Putinati Stefano, Veneziani Paolo, Cerbone Chiara, D'Aloia Antonio, Errigo Maria Chiara, Formici Giulia, Grilli Maria Laura, Mendillo Mario, Paganizza Valeria, Pitto Simone, Scaffardi Lucia, Selleri Carlotta

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Food (In)Equality Research Group, in collaboration with the Food Innovation Research Group, organized an online seminar series between 2025 and 2026 entitled: “Il diritto al cibo nei luoghi di detenzione. Tra diritto e società. La questione penitenziaria”.

Recordings of the events are available here. The seminars were held in Italian.

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December 2, 2025

RELIGIONI, CULTURA E CIBO NEI LUOGHI DI DETENZIONE

->Watch the recording of the session.

Introduction by:

Giovanni Francesco Basini, Director of the Department of Law, Political and International Studies

Stefania Fucci, University of Parma

Speakers:

Giancarlo Anello, University of Parma

Hamdan Al-Zeqri, Member of the National Executive Board of UCOII and Delegate for Relations with Prisons and the Department of Penitentiary Administration

Mounia El-Fasi, Cultural Mediator and President of the Association Donne Di Qui e di Là

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February 26, 2026

VIVERE E SOPRAVVIVERE: IL VITTO E SOPRAVVITTO NELLADIMENSIONE PENITENZIARIA

-> Watch the recording of the session.

Introduction by:

Veronica Valenti, University of Parma

Speakers:

Gaia Messori, University of Parma

Roberto Cavalieri, Ombudsperson for the Rights of Persons Deprived of Personal Liberty, Emilia-Romagna Region

Antonino Carlo, Judge at the Italian Court of Auditors (Corte dei Conti), Regional Audit Section for Emilia-Romagna

Gabriella Stramaccioni, Former Ombudsperson for the Rights of Persons Deprived of Personal Liberty, Municipality of Rome

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March 24, 2026

MANGIARE IN GALERA: ISTITUZIONI ED ECONOMIE TRA SAPERI EPRATICHE

-> Watch the recording of the session.

Introduction by:

Fabio Cassibba and Chiara Scivoletto, University of Parma

Speakers:

Roberta Dameno and Emma Sofia Lunghi, University of Milano-Bicocca

Francesca Cerbini, University of Palermo

Silvia Polleri, Founder of the InGalera Restaurant at Milan Bollate Prison

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May 5, 2026

CIBO: IDENTITA’, DISEGUAGLIANZE, SALUTE. ESPERIENZE DALCARCERE in collaboration with CNUPP, Conferenza Nazionale PoliUniversitari Penitenziari  

-> Watch the recording of the session.

Introduction by:

Vincenza Pellegrino, University of Parma

Speakers:

Irene Valota, Serena Mambriani, Antonio Dragone, and Chiara Cacciani (Testimonies from incarcerated students), Parma University Prison Program (Polo Universitario Penitenziario di Parma)

Francesca Vianello, University of Padua (Università di Padova)

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