About the Laboratory
The Mediterranean Diet Food Quality Control Laboratory (MedFood Lab) is an institutionalized University Laboratory of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, based in Sitia, Crete. It was established by Decision No. 151/Θ.20/22-04-2026 of the Senate of the Hellenic Mediterranean University, and its establishment was published in Government Gazette B΄ 2794/19.05.2026.
The Laboratory was established to support education, research, and the development of related activities in the fields of Food Science and Technology, with particular emphasis on food safety and quality control, food chemistry and composition, the utilization of local products and ingredients, and the development of innovative and functional foods of high nutritional value and products associated with the Mediterranean Diet.
The Laboratory serves as a hub connecting academic knowledge with the needs of the agri-food sector, the food industry, and society, contributing to the development of safe, high-quality, and innovative food products. At the same time, it supports undergraduate and postgraduate education and research, develops basic and applied research, and strengthens collaboration with academic research and social organizations.
Mission
The mission of MedFood Lab is:
- To develop and promote research in Food Science and Technology.
- To support the Department’s educational activities at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
- To generate new knowledge and transfer know-how to society and the productive sector.
- To strengthen collaboration with research institutions, universities, public bodies, and businesses in Greece and abroad.
- To promote the Mediterranean Diet as a model of health, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
Research Areas
The Laboratory’s main areas of activity include:
- Food Safety and Quality
Development and application of modern chemical, biochemical, and microbiological methods for the assessment of food safety and quality. - Food Authenticity and Certification
Development of methods for the control and certification of the authenticity of agri-food products, with particular emphasis on PDO and PGI products. - Food Chemistry and Bioactive Components
Study of food composition, nutritional profiles, and bioactive components associated with health. - Development of Innovative and Functional Foods
Design and development of foods of high nutritional value using local raw materials and modern processing technologies. - Mediterranean and Cretan Diet
Research on foods and dietary patterns of the Mediterranean Diet, as well as their contribution to the prevention of chronic diseases and the promotion of public health. - Food Microbiology
Study of microbial populations and applications of microbiological control, with emphasis on dairy products and traditional foods.
Members
Dr. Vassilis Raikos
Associate Professor of Food Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Emmanouil Psylinakis
Assistant Professor of Nutritional Bioorganic Chemistry
Dr. Ioannis Sfendourakis
ETEP Member
Nikolaos Thalassinos, MSc
ETEP Member
Infrastructure and Equipment
The Laboratory has specialized scientific equipment to support research and educational activities, including:
- Microbiological analysis systems
- Incubators and sterilization equipment
- PCR systems
- NIR spectrophotometer
- Electrophoresis equipment
- Optical microscopes and stereomicroscopes
- Sample preparation and homogenization systems
The Laboratory’s infrastructure supports both basic and applied research in the field of food.
Education and Research
MedFood Lab supports:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate theses.
- Doctoral and postdoctoral research.
- Student participation in research projects.
- National and European research programmes.
- Organization of scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars.
- Activities for disseminating scientific knowledge to society and professional organizations.
Collaborations
The Laboratory develops collaborations with:
- Universities and research centres in Greece and abroad.
- Public organizations and bodies.
- Businesses in the agri-food sector.
- Producers and cooperatives.
- Organizations promoting the Mediterranean and Cretan Diet.
The goal is to generate knowledge with direct social, scientific, and developmental impact.
Vision
MedFood Lab aspires to become an internationally recognized centre of excellence in research and food quality control related to the Mediterranean Diet, contributing to innovation, consumer protection, the strengthening of agri-food production, and the promotion of a sustainable and healthy dietary pattern for future generations.