Mediterranean Diet Congress

Since 1996, every two years, the city of Barcelona has the honour of congregating experts of different fields and disciplines – governmental organizations, food industry associations, culinary experts, and academic and professional experts – to express the multidisciplinary nature of the impact of dietary habits on health and the influence of history and culture on food in the Mediterranean.

I Congress. 1996

During the first congress, the Declaration of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Diet was instituted – an emblematic document that gathers the main objectives to achieve the preservation of the tradition dietary habits and high quality food production. It is published under FAO auspices and municipal, regional and state administrations.

II Congress. 1998

During this second edition, it is worth mention the granting of the Foundations medals to the principals chefs of Mediterranean gastronomy from all Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries.

III Congress. 2000

During this congress, proceedings on culinary and historical aspects of the Mediterranean Diet were included. It was highlighted that the patrimonial cuisine of the Mediterranean is a system that eases a healthy diet as well as a high culinary level, both traditional dishes as nouvel cuisine, stating the excellent relation between good food and good nutrition since ancient times.For this reason, the most important culinary experts participated, such as Ferran Adria and Juan Mª Arzak.

IV Congress. 2002

High level researchers, business professionals dedicated to the production and distribution of food items, professionals of the restaurant business, education and communication, consumer associations and other personalities made the forth edition of the congress deal in depth the aspects related to health, the responsibility of educating and promoting the dietary habits of the Mediterranean Diet throughout the world taking into account fundamental sectors such as commerce, agriculture and the environment.

The Group of Experts and the Scientific Committee of the Foundation wrote the 2002 Barcelona Consensus, that describes the qualitative and quantitative perspectives of the Mediterranean Diet for the XXI century, and propose the modern Mediterranean Diet basket. Mr. Francesc Xavier Marimón, senator of the Grupo Mixto, spokesperson for the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Commission of the Senate presented the proceedings on the dissemination of the Mediterranean Diet.

V Congress. 2004

The Congress was celebrated with the objectives of providing updated scientific information on the Mediterranean Diet, communicating its health benefits and motivating policies to ensure its survival and promotion.

The first edition of the Poster contest was also organized. Among the 30 posters selected, first place was awarded to Dr. Helmut Schröder and his team, second place went to the group of investigators headed by Dr. Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, and third place went to the investigation group represented by Dora Romaguera for the study entitled “Observing the Mediterranean dietary pattern in a population of the Balearic Islands”.

VI Congress. 2006

This edition of the Congress had the objective of find answers to the questions raised in regards to the Mediterranean Diet and is healthy character, and the way in which this information should reach the large part of the population. The Congress was inaugurated by the honourable Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ms. Elena Espinosa Mangana, and the honourable counsellor of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Mr. Antoni Siurana.

The second edition of the Poster Contest had a large participation with more than 40 selected posters. First place was proclaimed by Dr. Denis Lairon and his team, second place was for Ana Perez-Heras, representing the PREDIMED study group, third place went to the research group represented by Marieke Bos. This year there was a fourth place, awarded to Eva Elisa Álvarez León and her research group.

VII Congress. 2008

Exhibiting the motives on which the FDM seeks the UNESCO recognition for the Mediterranean Diet as intangible cultural heritage has been one of the debates of the congress this year. Mr. Francisco Sensat, executive vice president of the Foundation, presented the arguments that support the close union between the values of innovation and traditional values in the countries bordering the Mediterranean.

This nomination or proposal, presented in July 2007, involves, in addition to Spain, Italy, Greece and Morocco. Likewise, the rest of the countries that make up the Mediterranean are invited to join the project.

The environment, culture and education, the Mediterranean diet and health, for example, as a tool for disease prevention issues were also discussed at the congress.

VIII Congress. 2010

The conference sessions reviewed and updated aspects related to nutrition and culture of significant products of the Mediterranean Diet such as cereals, bread, olive oil, nuts, wine, dairy, fish and fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean Diet as a sustainable resource for the entire Mediterranean and as an ancient heritage to transmit to future generations was also analysed in the closing session of the Conference, which brought together a large audience interested in the subject.

Aside from the seven sessions devoted to the main products of the Mediterranean Diet, the first edition of the Practical Workshop on Dietary interviews and Basic Anthropometry, applied to the practice and a wine tasting were held.

More information about the congress: microsite.