On 25 September 2025, YUVA representatives had the privilege of attending an influential event at the University of Mauritius: “Reimagining Food for Tomorrow: Embracing Safety, Innovation and Exploring Future Foods.” The occasion marked the official launch of the Food Literacy & Sustainable Nutrition (FOLSUN) Initiative, and it featured an engaging Expert Insights Session with thought leaders and practitioners from across the food and health sectors.

For Mauritius, where food systems are deeply tied to questions of import dependency, health, and sustainability, the conversations at this event could not have been more relevant. YUVA’s participation reflected its ongoing commitment to public health, community empowerment, and sustainable development, and offered new perspectives to integrate into its programmes.

The Launch of FOLSUN: A Vision for Sustainable Nutrition

The opening session saw the unveiling of the FOLSUN Initiative, a movement designed to place food literacy at the heart of national policy and community practice. The initiative emphasises:

• Promoting informed and sustainable food choices that align with the health of both people and the planet.
• Strengthening food literacy and awareness, empowering citizens to make conscious decisions.
• Encouraging responsible consumption and healthier lifestyles as a pathway to long-term wellbeing.

Representatives from the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries reminded participants that the solutions must be inclusive and culturally grounded. Mauritian dietary habits, they argued, should shape future policies while ensuring innovation and inclusivity. Above all, collaboration between government, researchers, universities, and civil society was strongly encouraged.

For YUVA, this resonated deeply. Our organisation has long believed in the power of community education, awareness, and cross-sector collaboration to bring about change. FOLSUN’s objectives echo YUVA’s mission to empower young people and communities to adopt sustainable, health-conscious practices.

Keynote Address: From Sustainability to Regeneration

The keynote was delivered by Professor William Chen of Singapore, an internationally recognised authority on food science and innovation. His lecture, “Future-ready and Regenerative Agri-food Systems for Global Food Security: A Singapore Perspective,” provided a thought-provoking roadmap for food systems worldwide.

Prof. Chen emphasised that it is time to move beyond sustainability and towards regeneration. Sustainability, he argued, is about limiting harm, but regeneration is about actively improving systems so that they become stronger, healthier, and more resilient over time.

Among his key insights were:

• The need to transform linear food systems into circular, closed-loop models that minimise waste and maximise value.
• Tackling global food loss and waste, which remains one of the most pressing challenges worldwide.
• Promoting diversity in food production, including insects, plant-based proteins, and lab-grown foods, as a strategy for resilience.
• Educating consumers not only on what to eat, but also on how much, to address both overconsumption and undernutrition.

For Mauritius, where food security is vulnerable due to reliance on imports, these ideas offered powerful lessons. By fostering innovation, diversity, and regional autonomy, the island nation can build resilience against global food supply shocks.

Expert Insights: Industry, Academia and Entrepreneurship

The Expert Insights Session showcased a diverse range of speakers who addressed food safety, innovation, and entrepreneurship in practical and inspiring ways.

1. Unlocking the Value of Food Safety Systems – Ved Munbodh (Transinvest)

Munbodh introduced the People–Process–Technology model, advocating for food safety to be embedded into organisational culture rather than treated as mere compliance. He highlighted how digitalisation tools, from automated processes to real-time dashboards, can enhance both efficiency and transparency. His message was clear: food safety should be viewed as a strategic asset, not simply a regulatory obligation.

2. Safety and the Circular Food Economy – Prof. William Chen

In a second intervention, Prof. Chen delved into the challenges of ensuring food safety for alternative proteins, a rapidly growing sector. He stressed the importance of new methodologies for assessment, developed in partnership with global organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). He also reinforced the role of the circular food economy, where waste is minimised, and resources are fully utilised.

3. The Moringa Nutraceutical Journey – Vinay Kanhye (Kanhye Health Foods)

Perhaps the most inspiring session came from Vinay Kanhye, who shared his entrepreneurial journey in developing nutraceuticals from moringa and medicinal plants. His products have gained international recognition, demonstrating how local innovation can scale globally while promoting health and sustainability. His story positioned Mauritius not only as a consumer of innovation, but also as a creator and exporter of solutions rooted in its natural resources.

What It Means for YUVA

For YUVA, several important takeaways emerged from the event:

• Public Health and Nutrition: Nutrition and responsible consumption are not only dietary issues, but also key determinants of overall health and wellbeing. This aligns directly with YUVA’s mission to support healthier, more empowered communities.
• Youth Awareness: As an organisation deeply engaged with young people, YUVA can play a pivotal role in raising awareness about healthy, low-waste, and plant-based diets.
• Resilience and Autonomy: Reducing dependency on imports and encouraging regional solutions supports YUVA’s broader advocacy for self-reliance and sustainable development.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Opportunities exist to work with academics, policymakers, and private sector innovators—such as Kanhye Health Foods—to drive community literacy and health initiatives.

Looking Ahead: YUVA’s Role in Food Security

The event was not simply a forum for ideas; it was a call to action. Food security is more than just a question of agriculture—it is interconnected with health, climate resilience, and social wellbeing.

For Mauritius, the launch of FOLSUN and the exchange of global perspectives highlight the need for urgent, coordinated action. YUVA’s engagement ensures that the voice of civil society, especially youth, is part of that conversation.

Moving forward, YUVA can integrate the lessons from this event into its health-focused programmes, awareness campaigns, and community projects. Whether it is promoting responsible consumption, championing local innovation, or advocating for resilient systems, YUVA will continue to be at the forefront of building a healthier and more sustainable Mauritius.

The event at the University of Mauritius demonstrated that the future of food is about more than feeding people—it is about reimagining how we live, consume, and sustain ourselves. YUVA is proud to stand alongside partners in this mission, ready to support the journey towards a more secure, inclusive, and regenerative food future.

Tereza Röslerová, Caritas College Olomouc – Communications Officer