Secondment of Mercedes Alonso from Anfaco to Sonae from 06/02/2023 to 05/03/2023

As part of the FODIAC project, I was seconded to the industrial partner SONAE (based in Matosinhos, Portugal) in February-March 2023.

During my secondment, I was able to get to know the Continente distribution chain, belonging to SONAE, through Ana and Daniela. The offer and product presentation stands out, with a specific place for new developments, called “Continente food lab”. It is a central area in which new products resulting from research or development are presented to the market, which due to their characteristics, could be healthier or more sustainable, and new food trends. The booth includes an optional consumer satisfaction survey that enhances the importance of feedback. This is a passage area for the product, which, if accepted by the customer, goes on the shelf with the other products in its category.

At that time, they were exposing new insect-based foods:

During my secondment, I also met Ricardo and Manuela, FODIAC partners from the Portuguese Catholic University of Porto. They allowed me to visit their facilities and exchange knowledge and analytical techniques on the performance of bioavailability assessment studies using gastrointestinal in vitro models and cell culture models.

The secondment also allowed me to get to know Porto and enjoy its culture and gastronomy. Porto’s charm encompasses its location, its narrow-cobbled streets, its majestic buildings, but also the typical delicacies of cod, or the “Francesiña”, a typical product reminiscent of an overloaded sandwich.

Some pictures!: