The 8th International Conference on Quality Management and Food Safety (QMFS 2026) was held on October 2 in Hanoi, bringing together more than 200 scientists, experts, policymakers, business representatives, lecturers, students, and other delegates from Vietnam and more than 10 countries.
overview of the conference
Hosted by Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) at Hotel du Parc Hanoi, the conference was part of activities celebrating the University’s 70th anniversary. First launched in 2011, QMFS has been held biennially as a forum for scientists, experts, regulatory authorities, and businesses to exchange research findings and discuss emerging issues in food quality and safety.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in addressing the rapidly evolving challenges facing food systems.
Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology,
According to Prof. Tuan, food quality and safety are increasingly linked to public health, consumer confidence, and the competitiveness of Vietnamese food and agricultural products in global markets. At the same time, digital transformation and artificial intelligence are creating new approaches to quality and food safety management, including monitoring, traceability, risk assessment, and decision-making. These technologies, however, need to be adapted to specific production systems, market conditions, and local needs.
Technology Transfer Products of the School of Chemistry and Life Sciences
Continuing the program, Mr. Matthew Albon-Crouch, Agriculture, Food and Drink Attaché at the British Embassy in Hanoi, extended his warm welcome to the Conference.
Mr. Matthew Albon-Crouch
At the opening session, Dr. Chu Quoc Thinh, Director General of the Vietnam Food Administration, Ministry of Health, shared insights into new policies on food safety management in Vietnam.
Dr. Chu Quoc Thinh
The Plenary Session featured international experts addressing a broad range of topics related to food systems, quality management, biotechnology, sustainable proteins, and human resource development. Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Dean of the Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, delivered a keynote presentation on transforming regional food systems through the integration of quality management, food safety, and biotechnology within the circular economy.
Prof. Anil Kumar Anal
Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long, one of Vietnam’s leading scientists in the fields of Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Chemistry, delivered a presentation on “Challenges and Opportunities in Food Safety Risk Management and Quality Management of Natural Products in the Digital and AI Era.”
Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long
From the United Kingdom, Dr. Parag Acharya, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, discussed sustainable protein production from rice side-streams and the development of plant-based protein research partnerships between the UK and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Parag Acharya
Prof. Pham Van Hung, a former lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) who is currently working at the International University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, shared his 30-year research journey on carbohydrate modification and digestibility, highlighting innovations in the development of health-oriented foods.
Prof. Pham Van Hung
Experts from Japan also contributed to the Plenary Session. Prof. Toshiaki Komatsu, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, shared perspectives on building human capability for food safety through international learning. Prof. Kohsuke Honda, Institute for Protein Research, The University of Osaka, presented research on driving metabolic pathways outside living cells. Prof. Fujiyama Kazuhito, The University of Osaka, and Prof. Ben Bennett, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, chaired the Plenary Session.
Prof. Toshiaki Komatsu
Prof. Kohsuke Honda
Prof. Fujiyama Kazuhito and Prof. Ben Bennett chaired the plenary session.
In the afternoon, QMFS 2026 continued with six parallel sessions covering quality management and digital transformation in food technology; biotechnology and human resource development; plant-based protein foods and beverages; research and quality management of natural products; education and human resource development; and probiotics and emerging trends in food system transformation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chu Ky Son and Dr. Parag Acharya chaired Session 3.
The conference also provided opportunities to strengthen links among universities, research institutions, regulatory authorities, and businesses. Discussions throughout the event contributed to expanding research networks, sharing international expertise, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and knowledge transfer in food quality, food safety, and sustainable food systems.
Diamond Sponsor – Mr. Ha Duc Cuong, Deputy General Director of OPC Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, was presented with a commemorative medal and a letter of appreciation by the Organizing Committee in recognition of the company’s valuable support for QMFS 2026.
QMFS 2026 reaffirmed its role as an interdisciplinary scientific forum connecting research with practical applications and bringing together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to contribute to the development of safer, higher-quality, and more sustainable food systems in Vietnam and the region.
The Organizing Committee presented tokens of appreciation to the distinguished speakers and session chairs in recognition of their insightful presentations, innovative perspectives, and valuable contributions to the scientific community at QMFS 2026.
