Science and Research

Learn more about the ILSI U.S. and Canada Research Program!

Download this booklet (PDF) for more information about ILSI U.S. and Canada's initial, proposed research projects and how to get involved!

The booklet also covers:

  • An introduction to the global ILSI Federation.
  • The ILSI U.S. and Canada's governance and funding models, as well as its inaugural Governance Committee.
  • The new ILSI U.S. and Canada Science Board.
  • The added value that the ILSI U.S. and Canada Research Program provides for experts, companies, foundations and institutions.

Questions? Interested in collaborating with ILSI? Contact research@ilsiuscanada.org today!

Nutrition-Focused Research Projects

Applications of Globally Harmonized Nutrients

This project will develop a bioavailability algorithm for calcium and introduce published algorithms for iron and zinc bioavailability, develop them for integration into iron and zinc labeling globally, develop a consensus on standardized nutrients’ equivalencies and units for food labeling (e.g., for iron, zinc and calcium), and work with the ILSI federation to determine the needs of other regions around the world.

This project is led by Connie Weaver, PhD, San Diego State University, USA.

Bioactives and Functional Foods

Few evidence-based recommendations exist for consumption of bioactives, the amounts of ingredients in so-called "functional foods", or the foods themselves that contain some of these bioactives. ILSI proposes working to provide definitions of functional foods; creating a database of evidence of the composition, health and safety aspects of those functional foods; and developing guidelines for dietary supplements across global regions.

This project is led by April Stull, PhD, Baylor University (Waco, TX), USA.

The Multiple Faces of Personalized-Precision Nutrition

ILSI proposes evaluating best practices and developing the definitions for, and principles of, personalized/precision nutrition—including how to document the benefits and risks—as a steppingstone to assessing the readiness of personalized nutrition in food product development, food marketing and nutritional therapies.

This project is led by Jose Ordovas, PhD, USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA.

Healthy Aging, Geriatrics, and Sarcopenia

This ILSI project will identify nutrient requirement changes with age, as well as valid and reliable screening and assessment tools for geriatric-related conditions and diseases, such as sarcopenia. ILSI will analyze its findings, along with the recommendations from existing authoritative bodies on the prevention, screening, diagnosis, progression and treatment of sarcopenia across global regions.

This project is led by Roger Fielding, PhD, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, USA.

Open Data Sharing for Clinical Food and Nutrition Trials

Effective January 2023, the U.S. National Institutes of Health will require the open sharing of individual participant-level data from clinical trials supported by public funds. ILSI aims to develop requirements, standards and best practices for managing, tracking and sharing data from clinical food and nutrition trials, with the goal of addressing quality linked to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) attributes of the data.

This project is led by Michael I. McBurney, PhD, University of Guelph (Canada) and Tufts University (USA).

Food Safety-Focused Research Projects

Risk Assessment of Cell-Based Cultivated Food Products

This ILSI project takes a scientific approach to monitor the integrity and safety of cultivated meat, as well as hybrid and adulterated foods. The goal is to explore a presently unknown territory and prepare and develop a benchmark for what the risks are in each step of the process for the benefit of the consumer’s safety, the regulatory landscape, and the industrial production of these novel foods.

This project is led by Helene Tournu, PhD, ILSI Global, USA.

Food Safety at the Interface Between Food, Water, Agriculture, and the Environment: Where the Action Takes Place

This ILSI proposal focuses on the emerging need of cross-disciplinary activities in controlling foodborne pathogens, harmful chemicals and other contaminants, including microplastics, at the intersection of food, water and agriculture. The identification of future research needs, as well as team building to bring together interdisciplinary and collaborative scientists, are the main goals of this project.

This project is led by Lee-Ann Jaykus, PhD, North Carolina State University, USA.

Sustainability-Focused Research Projects

The Impact of Climate Change on Food Safety, Sustainability, Security and Nutrition

This ILSI project aims to bring together interdisciplinary teams to identify future challenges to the safety, sustainability and nutritional content of the food supply that can be directly linked to climatic factors, such catastrophic weather events, rising sea levels, drought or flooding. Understanding these risks and their likely consequences will pave the way for proactive changes in how global regions will safely and sustainably grow and process nutritious foods in the future.

This project is led by Lee-Ann Jaykus, PhD, North Carolina State University, USA.

Understanding the Relationship Between Soil Health and Human Health

Product developers and agencies are encouraging the adoption of soil health practices. However, the impact of these changes in food production practices on the safety and nutritional value of crops is not yet well understood. This ILSI proposal aims to identify the research gaps and priorities, as well as establish an active network with agricultural research stations and nutrition/safety experts to address these knowledge gaps.

This project is led by Shawna Lemke, PhD, SLL Consulting & Services, LLC, USA.

Are you interested in learning more about the ILSI U.S. and Canada Research Program's proposed projects? Do you want to collaborate with ILSI on a research project? Please contact us! research@ilsiuscanada.org.

Our team looks forward to hearing from you.