Last year, HISTALIM organised the first European ring test on food histology. For the first time, an inter-comparison test on the discipline brought together histologists from 4 different European countries. This success has led us to extend this circuit in 2008, and it will now take place every year. This year it will take place from April to July 2008 and the theme will be the pork butcher meat products of Southern Europe.

In addition to the ring test, we wanted to create a way for histologists working on food to be able to meet, learn and build a network of excellence. That is why we are organizing this year the first edition of food histology meeting. During this meeting, it will be possible to share our knowledge of technology, consider new perspectives for the histological analysis and even to look into how to develop the discipline.

So we will welcome you on 16 and 17 October 2008 in Montpellier (South of France). The first day will be devoted to presentations on techniques for preparing and histological analysis. We gather now your proposals for papers until September 15, 2008(3 pages maximum). On the second day, two discussion workshops will be offered: one on the ring test and the other on the prospects opened up by the image analysis.

You will find a document outlining the conduct of the food histology meeting, as well as a registration form for this meeting to send us before September 30, 2008. Do not hesitate to speak around you this European appointment of food histology or give us the details of histologists potentially interested.