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Today’s food systems face major challenges related to public health, sustainability, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Thanks to new technologies and personalized nutrition, we are changing the way we take care of ourselves with tools that are increasingly precise and tailored. Yet, while science is advancing exponentially, policies still seem stuck in the past, unable to truly recognize and support this transformation.

THE CHANGE IS UNDERWAY

More and more people around the world are using advanced apps, some powered by “AI companions,” intelligent digital assistants capable of adapting in real time to monitor calories burned, nutrients consumed, sleep quality, hydration levels, and even blood glucose.

These tools are evolving at a remarkable pace. No more manual entries, no more Excel spreadsheets. Artificial intelligence learns to understand our bodies, rhythms, and behaviors, and adjusts accordingly. This isn’t science fiction. It’s already happening. Now.

Genetics, nutraceuticals, microbiomics, personalized biomarkers: science is offering us extraordinary tools to understand how our bodies and minds work, not in theory, but in practice, in real time, and most importantly, in a personalized way.

THE ERA OF PERSONALIZATION 

We are entering a new era: that of precision nutrition and tailored lifestyles. This approach allows us to live better, longer, and more efficiently. It means reducing waste, making more informed choices, and even consuming foods designed specifically for us.

It’s not just about food, fitness, or longevity; this transformation touches healthcare, insurance, education, food production, and the economy. It’s a systemic evolution, not just a passing trend.

WHEN POLICY FALLS BEHIND 

Yet, while innovation speeds ahead, policy remains stagnant. Organizations like the WHO, the UN, the European Commission, and national governments continue to apply outdated frameworks. They still rely on obsolete tools like nutrition labels, such as NutriScore or sugar taxes: simplistic solutions that make an impact in public discourse but have little real-world effect.

They’re still applying a Fordist, “one-size-fits-all” logic in a world that has already changed. Today’s consumers are a step ahead: the new generation doesn’t just read labels on store shelves — they scan, compare, monitor, and choose in a conscious, personalized, and real-time way.

THE COST OF INACTION

The result is plain to see. Obesity continues to rise, chronic diseases are multiplying, healthcare systems are under increasing pressure, and we’re becoming dependent on expensive medications.

Yes, pharmaceutical innovation is extraordinary, but it’s not prevention. In the end, we are the ones paying the price as patients, as citizens, and as a society. We can and must do better.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW 

On June 24, at the European Parliament, we will open a concrete discussion on the future of food and personalized nutrition during the roundtable “Public Health Policies—Shaping the Future of Food and Personalized Nutrition” with Hon. Letizia Moratti.

With scientists, experts, and political innovators from across Europe, we will discuss how to build an ecosystem that puts consumers at the center, supports innovation, and promotes more balanced, mindful, and personalized lifestyles.

We can only shape policies that address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges by opening the discussion and encouraging a concrete dialogue between science, politics, and citizens.