The Society encourages moves to set up national or regional branches. The following are examples of active branches of the Society.
JAPAN BRANCH
The Japanese Society for Carotenoid Research has actively been continuously publishing the journal “CAROTENOID SCIENCE.” Volume 16 has been published in 2012 and volume 17 will be published in this year. The 26th Annual Meeting was held in Hakodate, September 2012. The committee consists of Hideki Hashimoto, Michiaki Murakoshi, Eiji Yamashita and Wataru Miki. (Text updated January, 2013.)
CARIG
At its meeting in April, 1997 the U. S. Carotenoid Research Interactive Group (CARIG) voted to associate with The International Carotenoid Society. Members of CARIG were offered membership in The International Society until 1999.
IBERCAROT
A new network of researchers on carotenoids in food and nutrition in Ibero-American countries. The 1st Workshop was held in Seville, Spain, September 2012. The Coordinator is Antonio Melendez.
EUROCAROTEN
A European network of carotenoid researchers have been implemented under the umbrella of the COST Programme. To date it is comprised from ca. 100 researchers from 31 countries (http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA15136?management). Information about their activities can be found in the web www.eurocaroten.eu and other social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). The Chair is Dr. Antonio J. Meléndez-Martínez (Universidad de Sevilla).
CARED
(“Carotenoid Network: from microbia and plants to food and health”) brings together 10 Spanish teams with cross-disciplinary interests in four major carotenoid-related areas: (1) biosynthesis and accumulation in plants and fungi, (2) metabolic engineering and breeding, (3) food and feed composition, and (4) nutrition and health. CaRed will promote the integration and coordination of the carotenoid-related research conducted by member groups by organizing annual network meetings, carotenoid technology training workshops, researchers mobility programs, and intra-network joint projects. CaRed will also develop initiatives to gain international visibility, to disseminate network activities and achievements, and to raise public awareness of the astounding potential of carotenoids to improve food and feed quality and health. The coordinator is Dr. Manuel Rodríguez Concepción (Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics).
Newsletter about activities and the importance of carotenoids in agro-food and health are being produced. Please, do subscribe to them to help inform about carotenoids to educators, health professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders.
OTHER LOCALITIES
In other countries or regions it may be worthwhile to have local correspondents