The Mediterranean Diet Institute
Since its creation in 2003, the Institute has consolidated itself as the division of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries responsible for encouraging, promoting, developing and raising awareness of the Mediterranean diet. In order to fulfil these aims, it undertakes a variety of activities ranging from communication campaigns to participation in fairs and congresses, playing an active role in ensuring citizen education and awareness among the young and old alike. It also serves as a tool for the transfer of technology to the Andalusian agrofood sector, facilitating participation in European projects, organising technical conventions and compiling reports.
The work of the Mediterranean Diet Institute can be divided into five basic areas: communication, in particular raising awareness of the healthy nature of Andalusian produce, the basis of the Mediterranean Diet; organising and participating in congresses and technical forums, which has made the Institute an international meeting point; cooperation between the public and private sectors via collaborative agreements; participation in Community projects and the provision of technical support for the agrofood sector in Andalusia.
Objectives:
* To raise awareness of the unique quality of the Mediterranean Diet and safeguard the values inherent in our traditional food: health, culture, environmental issues, etc.
* To provide a forum for the sharing of information and knowledge useful to all involved in the food production chain.
* To aid the transfer of new technology to the Andalusian agrofood sector by identifying possible deficiencies, compiling prospective technical reports and improving the interface between public and private investment in R+D+I.
 To promote food quality and safety as an obligatory commitment to our consumers by encouraging the introduction of traceability and certification measures as quality control tools in the sector.