EURRECA is a network of scientists, nutrition societies, consumer organisations, small & medium-sized enterprises and wider stakeholders funded by the EC to help address the problem of national variations in micronutrient recommendations. As populations become more mobile and multi-national, and more traditional foods become available internationally, harmonised recommendations based on up-to-date science are needed. 

EURRECA will explore 'evidence-based' solutions that have not been available before to the panels of experts traditionally involved in setting such recommendations. From these solutions, which will have a particular focus on vulnerable populations, the Network aims to produce the EURRECA 'toolkit' to support the work of those expert panels and the policy-makers developing recommendations.  Its work will also support and interface with that of the European Food Safety Agency which is tasked with producing values for micronutrient recommendations.

EURRECA's Research Activities will:

• Systematically review existing data and collect new data as appropriate in all the identified vulnerable groups;
• Critically assess and promote standardisation - for specific uses and for groups - of methodologies for nutrient intakes, status and requirements;
• Identify micronutrients critical for the health of vulnerable population groups;

Through its cross-cutting Integrating Activities, EURRECA will:

• Involve consumer and other stakeholder groups at all stages, including research, training and dissemination;
• Integrate Science and Standards throughout to optimise quality assurance;
• Encourage SMEs to identify opportunities for exploitation in diverse fields such as computer software and laboratory assays;
• Address individual differences within population groups and identify and develop ways of increasing consumer understanding, prerequisites for behavioural change.

Spreading of Excellence
The EURRECA network is committed to spreading the expertise from the joint programme of Research Activities and the outputs from the Integrating Activities throughout Europe and beyond, through:

• Training - for network members and external stakeholders;
• Dissemination - to policy makers, professionals and consumers;
• Exploitation - via activities to ensure the expertise is utilised by government, professional commercial organisations.

The EURRECA Network is establishing ways of sustaining its activities beyond the life of EC funding.

Management Activities
A management team oversees the management of the network to ensure full integration and dissemination of results and to foster links with key stakeholders such as EFSA and national nutrition societies.