The School of Population Health at RCSI has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering people across Europe to make healthier and more sustainable food choices.

WiseFood, funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, integrates AI-driven tools and real-world feedback to promote better dietary habits while reducing environmental impact.

Led by Dr Claire Timon and Dr Angela Flynn, this three-year project aims to democratise access to reliable, science-backed information on healthy and eco-conscious eating. By providing tailored advice, the project helps individuals make informed decisions that benefit both personal health and the planet in the context of a growing crisis of misinformation and conflicting guidance on food and nutrition,

Key innovations and applications

The project will develop three user-centric applications:

• FoodScholar: A platform that curates and presents trustworthy, easy-to-access information on nutrition, sustainability, and health from academic and official sources.
• RecipeWrangler: A tool that evaluates and improves recipes, balancing nutritional value with environmental impact.
• FoodChat: A recommendation system that offers personalised meal suggestions, encouraging long-term shifts towards healthier and eco-friendlier diets.

These solutions will be tested in real-world settings through Living Labs in Ireland, Hungary, and Slovenia, involving over 300 households. Through co-design workshops and direct input from citizens, nutritionists, and policymakers, the applications will be refined to meet real-life needs and preferences.

Dr Claire Timon, Principal Investigator said: “Through WiseFood, we are leveraging data and AI to empower individuals to make informed, sustainable decisions about the food they eat. By embedding public involvement and real-world testing into our design process, we ensure the solutions we develop are both practical and effective.”

The initiative combines cutting-edge AI techniques, such as large language models and retrieval-augmented generation, with participatory research to create meaningful change. From reducing food waste to tailoring meal plans based on local dietary guidelines, WiseFood offers a holistic approach.

Findings from the Living Labs will be compiled into a Mirroring Guideline document to facilitate implementation in other European regions, ensuring WiseFood’s impact goes beyond its initial test sites. With €2.85 million in EU funding, WiseFood demonstrates how collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts can address complex challenges in public health and sustainability.

This research is supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, in collaboration with partners from Greece, Belgium, Ireland, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, and the Netherlands.