Reminder - employers - please give us your views on work experience placements before 14 June and help us produce something tangible to help you.
The Campden BRI day lecture, Towards a global food strategy - from discourse to dialogue, Michael McCain, President and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Canada is now available to listen to as a podcast.
An updated information statement on Food Allergy has been published by IFST. This statement describes the nature and cause of food allergies, outlines developments in legislation that aim to help allergic consumers to live with their condition and emphasises the measures that manufacturers and caterers should take to minimise the problems.
The More than Meat Pies team from Harper Adams University have been awarded gold prize at Ecotrophelia UK 2013 for their product, Hearty Meal, a ready meal offal pie.
Another milestone in the recognition of the Standard, SALSA members are now able to take advantage of new public sector market opportunities and benefits through a new SALSA-STS certification alliance.
ICSU, the International Council for Science, invites scientists and engineers to participate in a survey identifying how scientists and engineers view their responsibilities.
MPs on the International Development Committee are calling for concerted action to curb food wastage in the UK and for expansion of DFID's bilateral nutrition programmes with a particular focus on pregnancy and early years, as part of wider efforts to improve global food security.
On Thursday 30 May 2013, IFST's Northern Ireland branch held the finals of its second highly successful Student Competition in Queens University Belfast,(QUB). A total of 22 entries were received from undergraduates at QUB, Ulster University and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
IFST's scientific committee has responded to a recent Scottish Government consultation (link) on creating a new food body for a healthier Scotland.
IFST's scientific committee has responded to a recent FSA consultation (link) on The Contaminants in Food (Scotland) Regulations 2013
IFST has set up two surveys to gather views from employers and colleges/universities on work experience placements
2014 marks the Institute of Food Science & Technology's Golden Jubilee – a significant milestone for any organisation. As well as our plans to celebrate this anniversary IFST would also like to use this as an opportunity to develop and deliver something very tangible and enduring in support of those involved in the food sector and the profession.
IFST's recent Spring Conference, run jointly with IFR, explored many highly practical scientific issues impacting our capability to provide a secure food supply chain, from primary production through to the consumer.
The 2014 application process is not open for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust awards
Joanne Hort has been appointed the Chair of E3S
The government plans to launch a new traineeship programme
A new information statement on Campylobacteriosis in Food has been published by IFST.
IFST Information Statements summarise the authoritative and impartial science behind key food science issues, providing concise scientific information and links to scientifically robust sources of information. All information statements are prepared and peer reviewed by subject specialists on IFST's Scientific committee.
IFST's Education committee has responded to a recent department of Education consultation on proposals to reform vocational qualifications for 16-19 year olds.
The horsemeat scandal was one of the largest to hit to food industry in recent times, resulting in one of the largest recalls in UK history. Months after, it still remains in the news as European authorities try to track down the perpetrators as the scale of the contamination continues to be unveiled.
The search is on to find the Food and Drink Scientist of the Year as part of the new Food and Drink Federation Awards. To celebrate its centenary, FDF has developed a brand new awards scheme.
The 2013 finalists of Ecotrophelia UK have been announced.
The winner of the IFST North of England Young Science Competition has been announced.
Applications for the 2013-14 POST Fellowship are now open.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) has elected Prof Margaret Patterson its President. Margaret was invested as IFST President during IFST's Spring conference, Securing the future supply of food on April 18th.
The IFST Spring conference 'Securing the future supply of food: challenges and opportunities' takes place today. We have a great line up of speakers, discussing how we can integrate the supply chain to secure a future supply of food.
Each month, there is an article on 'Food Science & Technology' online that is free to access for non-members. This month's article is 'Cultured Beef: current status and challenges'.
This will be the message from Prof Ian Crute, Chief Scientist of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) at the IFST Spring conference, Securing the Future Supply of Food, next week.
Campylobacteriosis remains the most reported zoonotic disease in humans [1], with a continuous increase in reported cases over the last five years.
Policy and public health measures to support salt reduction
The IFST Spring conference, joint with the Institute of Food Research, which will take place in just two weeks. Securing the future supply of food will address the key challenges in securing a supply of safe, healthy food to the consumer, as the population grows and resources become scarcer.
A €9 million international project on food allergies has been launched
Vouchers for research funding worth £5K are available for SMEs from the Technology Strategy Board. The vouchers are designed for UK SMEs to obtain the help of an external expert to develop ideas, improve performance or assist with innovation. The latest round of this competition runs until 10th April.
The Food Standards Agency has published its Forward Evidence Plan for 2013. The plan outlines priority science and evidence activities for the coming year, including potential areas for research funding and workshops that will help develop the Agency's evidence base.
Dioxins are a group of relatively stable lipophilic organic substances. They are formed in small amounts during the combustion of organic materials and also in the manufacture of certain chemicals. They may be present in foods and feeds at low but measurable values and in highly variable amounts, and they have been associated with a number of possible negative biological effects.
The hour-long webinar, 'Food fact and fiction: separating science from myth' organised by the Institute of Food Science and Technology and Food Manufacture aimed to explore why debate exists in topics of science and technology in food and how this can be handled, as to inform consumers and shift towards a more secure scientific footing.
Retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, charities and other industry bodies have joined forces to explore and support ways to increase the amount of surplus food made available for delivery to those in need, building on the good work already being undertaken. The new industry working group met last week (24 January) for the first time to discuss the current systems, and assess possible solutions that could increase the UK's food redistribution, in order to start building a plan of action.
IFST welcomes the announcement by Michael Gove about the reform of A-level qualifications.
The Institute is fully in agreement with removing modularity in A level programmes and in exams being taken at one time point in the year, in the summer.
Christine Tacon has been appointed as the government's first supermarket ombudsman. As Groceries Code Adjudicator, she will responsible for enforcing the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, which regulates interactions between the ten largest supermarkets with an annual turnover of £1bn and their direct suppliers.
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) have published a report, highlighting that as much as half of the world's food is wasted.
Campden BRI, the UK's leading food and drink research organisation, in conjunction with the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), the leading qualifying body for food professionals in Europe, has scored a UK industry first with the launch of 'Ecotrophelia Europe' – a prestigious European-wide food innovation competition which promotes innovation, creativity and sustainability to students pursuing a career in the food sector.
Does the reporting of GM food topics, nanotechnology and irradiation make you fume with irritation? Do you wish the debate about food science and technology was based on science rather than pseudo-science and prejudice? Then, make a date to attend our free live webinar. This webinar - produced by Food Manufacture in association with IFST - aims to move the debate about food science and technology onto a more secure scientific footing. It seeks to identify problems and opportunities in the perception and reporting of controversial topics.
Steviol glycosides (E960) have recently been added to the European Union (EU) list of permitted sweeteners. This means that, for the first time, there is available a non-caloric high potency sweetener derived from nature. This Information Statement provides a scientific background on stevia, as well as detailed information on its safety, current regulation, and its commercial use as a sweetener.
We are pleased to announce Marks and Spencer are our prime sponsor for our 2013 Spring conference.
The IFST, joint with IFR, are holding 'Securing the future supply of food: challenges and opportunities', will take place on 17-18 April 2013 at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) in Norwich. The will highlight some of the key agricultural challenges facing the food chain and explore the most up-to-date food science and technology thinking to determine solutions.
A major new scientific collaboration between East Malling Research (EMR) and the University of Greenwich (UoG) was launched today by HRH The Duke of Kent KG on a visit to EMR.
Ensuring food security and minimising waste throughout the supply chain will be a critical issue for fresh produce supply over the next decade. The Produce Quality Centre (PQC), which receives funding from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), combines the technical expertise of both organisations to achieve these objectives with EMR focused on temperate crops and the University's Natural Resources Institute (NRI) on tropical crops, and utilises the world-class research storage facilities at EMR.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFOST) has released a new Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) on 'Ensuring Scientific Integrity: Guidelines for Managing Conflicts'.
The dragons are released! The judges for the UK heat of Ecotrophelia: European Food Innovation Student Awards have been announced.
The podcast and presentation of the 2012 IFST lecture given by Dr Susan Jebb OBE are now available online.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) presented the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award to IFST Fellow David Lineback and the Young Scientist Award to Yapeng Fang.
The ECOTROPHELIA Europe, the European competition for the creation of innovative food products, was held at the International SIAL Food Fair in Paris. Student teams from 15 countries competed for a prize fund worth over 14,000 euros. Student presented their creations “dragon's den style” to an international panel of judges chaired by Michael Knowles, President of "Food for Life" FoodDrinkEurope.
IFST has just registered our first dozen Registered Scientists. Registered Scientist (RSci) is a new award to recognise those working in scientific and higher technical roles.
All supermarkets in the UK are to use 'traffic-light labelling' to provide nutrition information. This decision, to be announced by the Government on Wednesday, comes after a three-month consultation with retailers, manufacturers and other interested parties to decide on a unified and simple approach to food labelling.
The Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network have announed an event for Young Researchers to present their research to key industry figures.
When the presence of acrylamide in food was first discovered in 2002, virtually nothing was known of the mechanism of its formation in food, the nature and extent of uptake from food (and other sources) by humans, and the relationship between acrylamide in food and risks to human health. Acrylamide has, unsuspected until 2002, been part of human diets ever since foods were first prepared by cooking, thousands of years ago.
The Red Tractor Scheme has confirmed continued acceptance and recognition of SALSA approval as an alternative to the BRC Global food standard for small and micro businesses.
The announcement will allow small and micro producers to be able to gain Red Tractor certification to use the logo on their products where it is appropriate.
The Technology Strategy Board has launched a new national innovation voucher scheme to encourage smaller businesses to work with external experts, gaining new knowledge to help their business innovate, develop and grow.
The Innovation Vouchers scheme is now open to ideas relevant to the areas of agri-food, built environment and space sectors
Published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the new study identifies potential ways of reducing levels of acrylamide, which the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer regard as a "probable human carcinogen."
This research aims to better understand the chemistry involved, and to use computer models to determine how to minimize acrylamide levels in practice. The special feature of this approach is that, for the first time, it has been possible to link changes in natural potato components (glucose, fructose, amino acids, moisture) occurring during preparation and cooking with the extent of acrylamide formation. Such a rigorous approach has only been possible through collaboration between the food industry and food chemists from different disciplines.
The Greenius, or Green Genius, is a new national competition launched by the Deputy Prime Minster aimed at driving forward the UK's green growth. Organisations are invited to compete for a share of £3 million for the development of innovative, near-market technologies leading to commercialisation.
The contest is seeking innovative solutions to questions of food, water and energy sustainability. UK businesses, engineers and scientists have a global reputation for technological innovation. Do you have an idea which could help address some of the toughest challenges facing the UK?
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) are asking for input towards a project to identifiy forward-looking research goals. They are looking for additional input outside of the United States and ask for your input to their survey.
Researchers at the Institute of Food Research have tested a new technique to ensure fresh produce is free of bacterial contamination.
Ensuring fruit and vegetables are free from contamination by food poisoning bacteria is crucial, as they are often eaten raw, without cooking or processing that kills off bacteria. Dr Arthur Thompson (IFR) has been investigating how well cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP), inactivate Salmonella under different conditions and on different fresh produce foods.
Come into the dragons' den!
Ecotrophelia is an EU-wide dragons' den style competition rewarding student teams who have developed the best eco-innovative food products.
The UK national heat will be held on 5th June 2013 at Campden BRI, when teams of students from UK universities will pitch for a share of a prize fund worth over £3500, from our "dragons", a panel of top food industry managers.
The winner will be announced at Campden Day on 6th June and the winning team will go forward to the European competition.
Experts from IFST's Scientific committee have put together a response to the controversial GM study released yesterday. The study, Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize was published in Food and Chemically Toxicology yesterday.
The 'Food Science and Technology' website is now live.
IFST has responded to a recent Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) consultation, which considered reform of A-levels in England. IFST was invited to respond as part of a drive to give those in higher education and Learned Societies more involvement in the content and design of A-levels. The consultation also addressed concerns with A-level assessment.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) announced today that it is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Lifetime Achievement and Young Scientist Excellence Awards.
"World hunger, food security and food safety issues cannot be solved without food scientists and technologists. Governmental and international bodies working to improve conditions nationally and globally need the help of food scientists to reduce waste, improve nutrition and secure enough food for all. To ignore the importance of this scientific discipline is to reduce the effectiveness of current and prospective programmes for food, health and wellness, food safety and food security."
The Aston University Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) has been awarded £424,000 of funding as part of the new SUPERGEN Bioenergy hub.
The Food Standards Agency say advances in molecular biology could revolutionise the way in which foodborne disease outbreaks are investigated,enabling faster and more accurate identification of the organisms responsible.
The IChemE awards recognise and reward chemical engineering innovation and excellence. Now in their 19th year, the IChemE awards celebrate both individual and team achievement. The IChemE awards are recognised and highly regarded throughout the international chemical, process and biochemical engineering community.
A team of British plant scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich has won a $10m (£6.4m) grant from the Gates Foundation to develop GM cereal crops. It is one of the largest single investments into GM in the UK and will be used to cultivate corn, wheat and rice that need little or no fertiliser. It comes at a time when bio-tech researchers are trying to allay public fears over genetic modification.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) wishes to appoint an expert member with a proven academic or professional track record of expertise in science relevant to the work of the FSA to join our independent General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS).
A protestor caused 'significant damage' to a GM wheat trial at Rothhamstead Research, after breaking into the centre's test site on Sunday. Scientists had been petitioning against protestors who had threatened the sites destruction on 27 May.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) clearly supports scientific research in general. It has also previously stated that food scientists and technologists can play an important role in the responsible introduction of GM techniques provided that issues of product safety, environmental concerns, information and ethics are satisfactorily addressed.
The 10th annual symposium organised by IFST, Scottish Food and Drink Federation and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland took place last week.
The BBSRC have announced nine new industry-relevant crop research projects as part of the Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC).
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has announced that 22 outstanding food scientists and technologists have been elected to the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST).
The first review theme of the Government's 'Focus on Enforcement' campaign, 'The Small Businesses in Food Manufacturing Review', has been launched this week.
Professor Ian Boyd has been appointed by Defra to be its new Chief Scientific Advisor
Delegates saw a lively two days as the IFST spring conference took place at Leatherhead Food Research. Nutrition for Olympians, Nutrition for all, was a unique opportunity to see a well-rounded view of the sports nutrition industry.
UK food and drink industry is very keen to celebrate its next generation of leaders, so it's looking for this year's Food and Drink Federation Apprentice of the Year.
A record number of businesses have turned to the SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval scheme to gain a food safety certification recognised by leading national buyers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to evaluate the impact on public health of reducing Salmonella levels in turkeys across the European Union (EU).
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is inviting researchers to submit applications to carry out a systematic review on the survival of norovirus in foods and on food contact surfaces.
Food and drink manufacturing has remained one of the UK's few growth industries during the recent economic downturn, with domestic and export sales remaining healthy and new product development and total investment increasing in 2011.
The UK has been required to change the process by which a very small part of its meat processing industry removes meat from animal bones.
The report published earlier this week by the Technician Council indicates an alarming skills gap between current technician numbers in the UK and the 450,000 needed by 2020. These technicians will be essential to underpin a growing innovation economy.
Government Ministers, employers and skills champions met today to announce plans to tackle the huge shortage of skilled technicians in the UK.
An 18 month review has revealed an alarming skills gap between the number of technicians in the UK and the 450,000 higher skilled jobs that will be needed by 2020 to boost growth in the economy and ensure the UK maintains a competitive edge internationally.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asked the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) to draft guidance on scientific requirements for health claims related to appetite ratings, weight management, and blood glucose concentrations.
A giant 'Smarties' fountain and a new series of lighthearted but surprising food themed videos will be amongst the attractions to make 45,000 visitors to the Big Bang 'Mad about Food' when they visit the largest science and engineering careers fair this week.
FDF will be using the opportunity to launch the digital part of its campaign 'Taste Success – A Future in Food' by previewing its' 'Mad about Food' videos, created in partnership with the Institute for Food Science and Technology and Improve, to show young people some of the exciting things you can do when you work with food!
Reading University's Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences is holding its annual Teachers' day on 3rd July, fully sponsored by IFST.
IFST, in partnership with Food Manufacture, will be holding a free seminar on Monday 26 March 2012 to examine the issues surrounding a potential skills crisis in Britain's food manufacturing sector and highlight new intiatives being launched to address these problems.
Following last year's E. Coli O104 outbreak in Europe, EFSA declared that sprouted seeds pose a unique food safety concern due to their potential for contamination. Over the last two weeks, experts have met on two occasions to discuss new control measures to prevent another outbreak from occurring and the introduction of control measures to the safety of sprouted seeds.
Abstracts are invited for short oral communications and poster presentations at the upcoming EFFoST Annual Meeting on 20-23 November 2012.
Fishfiles Lite is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2012 Peter Howgate Award for the Young Fish Technologist of the Year. The successful candidate will be awarded a financial grant of up to 500 euros towards the cost of travel or subsistence outside the applicant's normal country of residence.
The Food Standards Agency has produced a factsheet to help people who have an intolerance to gluten (a protein found in cereals) understand a new food labelling law, which came into force on 1 January 2012.
The organisers of the IUFoST World conference are now accepting abstracts of original, high-quality and innovative research to be presented orally as posters at next year's world conference.
IFST needs feedback from those working in the sector, both employers and employees, regarding the professional recognition for technicians - Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated its scientific advice on the environment safety of GM maize 1507, after concluding that maize 1507 is unlikely to raise a safety concern for the environment as long as appropriate management measures are implemented during cultivation.
The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change has reviewed the scientific evidence to identify a pathway to achieving food security in the context of climate change.
The FSA is inviting researchers to tender for a project exploring how food safety is considered during the procurement of food in the UK public sector, for example in schools and care providers.
Professor Mike Peck of the Institute of Food Research has joined other experts from the Society for General Microbiology in launching a position statement on food security and safety. This sets out the key role that microbiology will play in ensuring that the 7 billion people in the world have access to safe and nutritious food.
A thorough understanding of HACCP is absolutely essential for a food business, as it leads to the production of safe food products and is required for SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) certification.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology is working alongside the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Improve (Food and Drink Sector Skills Council) on an online campaign to encourage young people to pursue a career in food science and technology.
Each year, in conjunction with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), IFST offers a 3-month Fellowship for a PhD student working in a food-related area. Joanne Edgar (Fellow for 2010/11), prepared a briefing note for parliamentarians on 'Livestock diseases', which has now been published.
The Institute of Food Research (IFR) at Norwich is now part of a group of nine European agrifood organisations that have set up the European Food Alliance – an initiative of Food Valley in The Netherlands. They have a common goal: to provide agrifood companies the best service and network contacts from all over Europe in order to be able to attain to innovation and growth at an accelerated rate.
New information statements on 'Aluminium in noodles' and 'nirtofuran residues analysis' are now available to download from the Government Chemist website.
Food labelling will be clearer, simpler and more honest following heavy lobbying in Europe by the UK.
The FSA has written to Government ministers setting out its advice not to support European Commission proposals that the European Union should relax a ban on using pig and poultry processed animal proteins (PAP) in feed.
DEFRA have produced updated guidance which will help ensure the right date marks are used on food labels to make it easier for shoppers to know when food is safe to eat.
A new research study has found a possible new link between a mother's diet during pregnancy and the development of allergies in babies. The findings have been published in the September edition of The Journal of Physiology.
The Chilled Food Association (CFA), in partnership with the Design and Technology Association, have created a set of educational resources aimed at promoting food science and technology among primary and secondary school students.
The Institute of Food Research (IFR) is set to launch a new project to study novel mechanisms to reduce appetite in humans. The project is being funded by the Biotechnological and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) and is part of a strategy to tackle the health problems caused by obesity in the UK population.
The Food Standards Agency is inviting researchers to carry out a survey of allergen advisory labelling to provide a better understanding of whether the labelling relates to the actual level of allergen present in processed foods. It will also help the FSA gather information on the levels of allergens present as a result of cross-contamination.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Food and Drink Federation are inviting EU research organisations to participate in a new project to participate in a new independent project to help UK food manufacturers reduce salt levels in their products. This comes in response to the pledge by food manufacturers to reduce salt levels in foods by the end of 2012, which was included in the Public Health Responsibility Deal.
The popular press are reporting on a series of papers in The Lancet which examine the issues surrounding the current worldwide obesity 'pandemic'. The press have mainly focussed on paper which analyses obesity trends in the US and the UK
The Food Standards Agency has published a review of existing studies that explore how people manage food safety in their homes and what implications these behaviours could have on their health.
Researchers in Norway claim to have identified a new method of effectively identifying potential sources of microbial contamination in the food industry.
Subsequent to the issue of the IUFoST Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) on the E.coli 0104:H4 outbreak, animportant research paper (Rasko et al) was published in late July on the topic. IUFoST have therefore we have updated the IUFoST Scientific Information Bulletin to take account of it. The updated version is available through the link below.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered and received a patent for a naturally occurring lantibiotic — a peptide produced by a harmless bacteria — that could be added to food to kill harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria.
The food and drink industry has bucked the general trend of declining manufacturing output with a 0.5% increase in June 2011 compared to the same month in 2010 in the UK.
The Office for National Statistics published results show that whilst food and drink production output increased, this is in stark contrast to the manufacturing sector as a whole which has decreased its output by 0.5%.
Safe and Local Supplier Approval scheme (SALSA) has been confirmed as the most relevant food safety standard for micro and small food businesses in the UK.
Food-borne viruses are the second most important cause of food-borne outbreaks in the European Union (EU) after Salmonella. EFSA has today published a review of the latest scientific knowledge on these viruses providing advice on possible measures to control and prevent their spread in the EU. The assessment recommends among others that mitigating measures should focus on the prevention of contamination rather than removing the virus from contaminated food.
The IChemE awards recognise and reward chemical engineering innovation and excellence. Now in their 18th year, the IChemE awards celebrate both individual and team achievement. The IChemE awards are recognised and highly regarded throughout the international chemical, process and biochemical engineering community.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has today published it's report on the E.coli outbreaks in Germany. The report concludes that the most likely source is one lot of fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt. EFSA have made recommendations to the European Commission which aims to prevent consumer exposure and continues to advise consumers not to consume uncooked sprouted seeds.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) have released a Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) on the topic of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli: Germany 2011 Escherichia coli O1O4:H4 Outbreak Linked to Sprouted Seeds.
Following further cases of E. coli in France, the Food Standards Agency is revising its guidance on the consumption of sprouted seeds such as alfalfa, mung beans (usually known as beansprouts) and fenugreek.
The Food Minister Jim Paice has announced that there will be tens of thousands of new apprenticeship opportunities in the food industry. The apprenticeships are part of an industry drive to get more young people into skilled food jobs. Mr Paice made the announcement as he launched a Defra-sponsored action plan to get food businesses to run more apprenticeships and change the way young people to think about working in the food industry
IFST President, Colin Dennis, was interviewed for the June issue of Food Manufacture. In this interview Colin discusses what he hopes to achieve during his presidency and his belief that there will be a renaissance in food science.
Sir Tom Blundell has been elected to be the new President of the Science Council. He succeeds Sir Tom McKillop who retired at the AGM yesterday (7th June 2011) after four years in the role.
Miles Templeman, Director General of the Institute of Directors, delivered the 33rd Annual Campden Lecture at Campden BRI Day 2011. Taking 'Challenges for business' as his theme, Mr. Templeman reflected on both the specific and general issues faced by businesses in today's economic climate, and set these in the context of current socio-political developments. To listen to the podcast, please visit:
The European Commission is organising a selection procedure to replace seven members of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Management Board whose mandates will expire on 30 June 2012. EFSA is inviting interested parties to apply for the posts.
On 12 May 2011 the formal constitution of the European Sensory Science Society (E3S) took place in Florence Italy.
Salmonella infections are among the most common bacterial causes of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans, with a number of different potential sources including meat, eggs, and fresh produce. In the EU, up to 20% of human Salmonellosis cases are thought to be due to consumption of contaminated pork products. An EU-funded research programme, called BIOTRACER, is investigating the main sources of contamination and to help in this, IFR working with colleagues in Italy and Greece, has led the development of a tool for modelling and predicting the growth of Salmonella in the pork supply chain.
IFST's Scottish Branch has introduced the IFST John Karkalas Award to enable a student, studying in Scotland, to receive FREE attendance and travel to the IFST REHIS SFDF joint symposium, 'Your Food. Your Health. Your Industry'.
Prof Colin Dennis has been inaugurated as IFST President at the AGM on April 7th.
On Tuesday 29 March 2011, Liverpool John Moores University hosted the Annual IFST North of England Branch, Young Scientist Competition. Selected undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the North of England presented work from their current or recent completed projects within the areas of Food Science, Food Technology & Food Nutrition.
Food and drink manufacturers are invited to showcase their community and employment projects by entering the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) 2011 Community Partnership Awards (CPA).
The awards are open to businesses throughout the food chain from farming to retail, the CPA awards recognise the contribution and dedication shown by businesses to initiatives that make a positive difference. For further information and how to enter please see the link below.
The South Eastern Branch is pleased to announce that Victoria Knight, an undergraduate Nutrition and Food Science student at The University of Reading, has been awarded the 2011 Ralph Blanchfield Award.
The Award aims to encourage young, undergraduate food scientists, technologists and engineers, based in the UK, to travel to, and participate in the IFST Conference.
Victoria will attend the IFST Spring Conference on Allergens at Campden BRI on the 7-8 April 2011 and in addition to hearing the scientific and technical papers associated with the programme, will be able to meet and network with other food science and technology professionals. Victoria will also be given a 1 year student membership of the IFST as part of the award.
Food and drink manufacturers have embarked on a year-long push to reposition the industry as a "career of first choice" for young people
The purpose of this statement is to provide the risk assessment background in relation to fresh produce and to highlight current guides and codes of practice that have been developed for the food supply chain to minimise microbiological contamination of produce.
IFST has responded to an EFSA Scientific Committee public consultation on 'a draft guidance on risk assessment concerning potential risks arising from applications of nanoscience and nanotechnologies to food and feed'.
A rise in numbers of young people being bullied at school and online because of their food allergies is one of the messages that delegates will hear at the forthcoming IFST spring conference.
Tony Hines MBE, from Leatherhead Food Research, will spell out his vision for how the food industry can play a pivotal role in combating the problem, starting by raising the bar on the understanding the social impact food allergy has on youngsters and their parents.
The Food Standards Agency has issued guidance to clarify the steps that food businesses need to take to control the risk of contamination from E.coli O157.
The Technology Strategy Board – in partnership with Defra, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Scottish Government – is launching a collaborative R&D competition with up to £15 million being made available to invest in projects aimed at increasing sustainably-produced vegetable protein for animal feed and more efficient livestock production, as well as for waste reduction and management, and greenhouse gas reduction.
EFSA will issue a scientific statement on two recent studies on the safety of artificial sweeteners by the end of February 2011, responding to a request for technical assistance from the European Commission.
January 2011 - The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) today released the latest Scientific Information Bulletin (SIB) on the topic of Chemical Hazards in Food.
Keeping control of Allergens is the topic for this year's IFST annual conference. The conference will be held on 7th & 8th April this year at Campden BRI and is open to all food professionals with an interest in this area.
A UK government-commissioned Report on the Foresight project, 'Global Food and Farming Futures', has been published (24 January)
The Food Standards Agency has written to stakeholders to seek their views on a potential change in its interpretation of the Novel Foods Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 258/97) in respect of food from the descendants of cloned cattle and pigs.
The FSA's Nanotechnologies and Food Discussion Group is holding its first meeting tomorrow, Thursday 13 January 2011. The group has been set up following a recommendation in the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology 2010 report into nanotechnologies and food.
A report (12 January) by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has revealed the world is hurtling towards population overload placing billions at risk of hunger, thirst and slum conditions.
The Food Standards Agency has been alerted that pig and poultry feed in Germany has been found to contain dioxins above the European legal limits.
SALSA is has had an amazing year, the scheme has welcomed over 350 new members in the last 12 months and has seen over 175 businesses gain the SALSA certification for the first time.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) presented the 2010 Lifetime Achievement and Young Scientist awards to J. Ralph Blanchfield and Peng Zhou respectively, in conjunction with the Hi Excellence Awards, at the ceremony in Madrid recently.
At the open meeting of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), the committee considered a hypothetical application under the Novel Foods Regulations for the approval of meat and milk from cloned cattle and their progeny.
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) today released three new Scientific Information Bulletins (SIBs) on the topics of Dietary Sodium and Health, Nanotechnology and Food and Regulation of Natural Health Products. IUFoST SIBs present authoritative science on emerging and headline food science issues. They are produced by IUFoST experts for legislators, consumers, food science departments and the more than 200,000 members of IUFoST Adhering Bodies worldwide.
IFST has responded to the EU commission 'pre-consultation' on the definition of the term Nanomaterials.
The consultation was put in place to collect stakeholders' views on the definition of the term to be used in any EU communication or legislation addressing nanomaterials.
The British Frozen Food Federation has launched it first frozen food report highlighting how this food choice can contribute to a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply in the UK.
This report provides a set of possible scenarios for the future of the food and drink industry in the UK in 2025. These are based on a series of interviews and two workshops with food manufacturers, policymakers, civil society representatives, farmers and retailers.
This report, commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and written based on work carried out by the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge.
The aim is to provide senior decision makers in industry and government with a common basis for discussion on the issues surrounding food production and what can be done to achieve positive outcomes for the industry and the country.
The European Commission announced on October 19th that it will propose a temporary suspension of animal cloning for food production in the EU. The Commission also plans to suspend temporarily the use of cloned farm animals and the marketing of food from clones.
The FSA has published a new Food Law Guide that lists all current food legislation, with details of associated EU legislation and links to any FSA guidance where this exists.
The guide also contains future legislation and when it is expected to come into effect, and legislation that has recently been revoked.
Three sector skills councils joined forces in the Houses of Parliament to alert politicians and civil servants to gaps in the training and qualifications needed to maintain long-term food security.
In a communication presented on 6 October 2010, the European Commission maps out the road towards the Innovation Union, marking a new milestone for this flagship initiative launched as part of the Europe 2020 strategy. Designed to boost green growth and social progress, the Innovation Union would concentrate Europe's combined efforts on key challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, health and the demographic change linked to an ageing population.
Bisphenol A is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic found in such items as reusable drinking bottles, infant feeding bottles and storage containers, and in the lining of some food and drinks cans. Due to the possible association of BPA with negative health effects, the endocrine active substance has been the subject of considerable attention worldwide.
The Food Standards Agency has published the results of a study looking at the levels of certain chemicals that are produced as a result of food processing and home cooking, in a range of UK food products.
Nine new projects aimed at uncovering links between diet and health and worth a total of £4M are announced today (15 September) by a public-private partnership of three Research Councils (BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC) and 13 food and drink companies - the Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC). The new projects tackle issues such as reducing fat content or proportion of saturated fat in food, fortification with bioactive compounds including Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, and increasing the dietary fibre in white bread.
The scientific community should have a more grown up dialogue with the public, according to former UK Science Minister Lord Sainsbury who was speaking at the British Science Association Festival in Birmingham. He suggested that distrust of scientific ideas was not because the public failed to understand the issues. Rather, he said: “the public understands the risk all too well and if there is no benefit to them then why take any risk at all, however small?” He added that there is concern that the pace of current scientific advance is too fast for government to keep up with through effective oversight and regulation.
In 2009, the number of notifications in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reached a total of nearly 8000, a 12% increase compared to 2008 and an all-time-high number. The record number was established because RASFF members sent more follow-up notifications, also for less urgent problems. There were 557 alert notifications reporting on serious risks found in products on the market, a small increase compared to 2008.
New guidelines developed by Trade Associations Dairy UK and DairyCo, the Carbon Trust and major dairy processors, will ensure that UK dairy processing companies will benefit from a common approach to calculating carbon footprints across the whole supply chain.
In a speech at Queen Mary College, University of London, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP unveiled plans for a squeeze on public funding for scientific research.
The FAO has revised downward its forecast for 2010 world wheat production and reports that wheat market dynamics drove international food prices up in August by 5% - the biggest month-on-month increase since November 2009. The latest revision in wheat production forecasts reflects a further estimated cut in this year's harvest in the Russian Federation from 48 to 43 million tonnes (mt) in August.
The Soil Association and other industry bodies are seeking to indefinitely delay an EU regulation that would ban the use of nitrates and nitrites in organic cured meats from 2011, and potentially ruin some producers.
In an age that pits the organic movement against GM food, clearly, issues of nutrition and food security have been moved much higher onto the social agenda. Jon Poole, Chief Executive of IFST, explains how the organisation is poised to address these concerns in an interview with International Innovation journal.
Consumers need to be more aware of the impact of the choices they make. That's why they should be educated and empowered – and it's the industry's job to make that happen says Jon Poole.
The NRP Innovation Centre at the Norwich Research Park (NRP) in Norfolk (UK) opened for business this week following a £5m investment in new laboratory and office facilities for expanding science and innovation businesses. The NRP Innovation Centre is the first phase of the NRP's ambitious plans to create 5,000 jobs in the next 10 years.
A new scheme offering bursaries and an award to PhD students investigating flavours aims to address the current shortage of flavour experts by encouraging a new generation of researchers, according to Professor Andy Taylor, University of Nottingham.
An Inquiry into Innovation and EU Agriculture has been launched today (28 July) by the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Farming and invites contributions from across the agricultural, food production, retail, environmental and research sectors.
The UK's main public funders of food safety research have joined together to publish a co-ordinated strategy to investigate the food bug campylobacter which is responsible for more than 300,000 cases of food poisoning and 15,000 hospitalisations a year in England and Wales.
Stories circulating today reported that Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, would be announcing the break up of the Food Standards Agency. They also suggested that this break up was an indication that the Government had 'caved in' to the pressure of the Food Industry. In reality, the demise of the FSA will be regarded by many as a loss – not only by the general public but also by the food industry itself.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts has outlined the importance of science in rebalancing the UK economy.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology has elected Professor Jack Pearce an Honorary Fellow of the Institute in recognition of his outstanding contributions and distinguished service to food science and technology throughout his career.
The 32nd Annual Campden Lecture, given by Ross Warburton on Campden BRI Day, is now available as a podcast and as a pdf download at http://www.campden.co.uk/podcasts.htm
On Wednesday, MEPs voted on the EU Food Information Proposal, and voted in favour of the system of 'Guideline daily amounts' over that of 'traffic light' labels, after industry lobbying.
European food and drink manufacturers have called on the EU to prioritise the competitiveness of the Agri-food industry, as a key measure in its efforts to improve Europe's economic future. The EU is the largest exporter and importer of food worldwide, and the European food and drink industry is the EU's single largest manufacturing sector. Building competitiveness in the food and drink industry is therefore central to Europe's overall economic growth and sustainability.
The food industry must move from the back foot to the front in order to pre-empt future potential scandals and maintain consumer confidence in food, says Jon Poole, The Institute of Food Science & Technology's new Chief Executive, speaking to FoodNavigator.
Working with the UK food industry to tackle Campylobacter has been identified by the Food Standards Agency as its key food safety priority for the next five years in proposals published in its 'Foodborne Disease Strategy' on 9 June.
Dairy UK has welcomed the opening of a new dairy technology training centre in Cheshire as the start of a new era for the industry.
Food Processing Faraday's ChIEFS (Championing Innovation between the Engineering and Food Sector) project has been short listed for a business impact award from PraxisUnico.
A field trial of a genetically modified (GM) variety of potato resistant to late blight, carried out by scientists from The Sainsbury Laboratory has begun on a 1,000-square-metre plot in Norfolk.
The UK's food and drink manufacturing sector is well placed to adapt to the future challenges of climate change, a growing global population and resource scarcity, according to Food and Drink Federation President Ross Warburton.
IFST's new advisory statement offers guidance on preventing cases of food poisoning by Campylobacter in support of the 18th National Food Safety week, which runs from June 7-13 2010.
The Food Standards Agency is reminding parents not to feed honey to babies who are under a year old.
The 2010 IFST lecture, Science and Skills to Feed the World - who, how and where? was presented by David Gregory, Chair of Assured Food Standards, on May 27 at The Royal Society.
The Food Standards Agency has issued a further update on the investigation into last year's increase in England and Wales in the number of cases of a certain type of Salmonella.
The University of Leeds hosted the 2010 Young Scientists Competition on 29th April. With entries from universities across the North of England, the audience listened to leading edge innovation in food science and technology from 7 undergraduate and 5 post graduate students. Students were timed bound in their presentations and were scored against their rationale i.e. the need for the research, method, results and interpretation, application in the food and drink sector, and presentation skills.
IFST members have elected David Boniface, Colin Dennis and Margaret Patterson, as Vice Presidents for 2010-11.
Scientist volunteers are wanted for an award-winning event between 14th and 25th June which is funded by the Wellcome Trust, to promote public engagement with science.
Science-based organisations and Government need to make greater efforts to engage the public with the sciences, according to the report 'Science for All' published as part of the UK Science and Society strategy commissioned by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
The Science Council has published its policy paper on Priorities for UK Science and Innovation Policy 2010-2015.
The European Food Safety Authority has lowered the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for melamine.
The European Food Safety Authority has undertaken to provide the European Commission with a comprehensive overview on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) by the end of May 2010.
IFST Chief Executive, Jon Poole attended a meeting of the Food and Drink Manufacturing All-Party Parliamentary Group at a meeting to discuss the challenges manufacturer's face in preparing and recruiting employees for the sector.
Employers in the food and drink industry will be handed better access to advice and support on skills following a major restructuring of sector skills council Improve and the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacturing.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced in July 2009 its intention to form a new Operations Group in 2010. This has taken place (from 1 April 2010) through the merging of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) and FSA.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an analysis of the levels of dioxins and related substances in food and animal feed.
The Food Standards Agency is this week hosting an international conference to identify new ways of reducing the levels of the food bug campylobacter in UK chicken.
The former Food Processing KTN and Bioscience for Business KTN web sites are being replaced this week by the new Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network KTN site.
Following a public consultation in the summer of 2009, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recommended that food manufacturers reduce saturated fat in foods such as biscuits, cakes, buns, chocolates and added sugar in soft drinks.
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson has appointed David Gregory to the Council of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with effect from 1 April and for a period of four years.
The Food Standards Agency welcomes the publication of the Consumer Focus Wales report: 'Protecting consumers from E.coli O157'.
A web-based education resource for primary school teachers is being launched by Platinum Films, in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency.
A free publication to help food businesses of all sizes determine the shelf-life of ready-to-eat foods has been published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Chilled Food Association (CFA).
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the results of a survey on Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken at slaughterhouses in the European Union.
The Food Standards Agency has published details of qualitative research investigating people's preferences and understanding of the way in which salt and sodium information is presented on food labels.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology has elected Helen Gay Wild an Honorary Fellow of the Institute.
The Science Council has now released its policy paper on Priorities for UK Science and Innovation Policy 2010-2015
Improve will be launching the Food Manufacturing Excellence qualification in April, which will be available to food and drink employers.
The Food Standards Agency has published its findings from FSA-funded questions in the 2008 British Social Attitudes survey.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its second batch of opinions on a wide variety of health claims submitted by food businesses from across the UK and other EU member states.
A new country of origin labelling (COOL) code of practice for pork has been introduced in the UK. The voluntary code, drawn up by the Pig Meat Supply Chain Task Force aims to provide clear information about country of origin on packs of pork, bacon and ham.
China is launching a new national food safety drive following a wave of recent damaging revelations over melamine-tainted milk products in the country.
The re-launch of the food safety campaign was forced on Beijing after the further discovery of products contaminated with melamine surfaced in recent weeks. These are believed to have been repackaged for sale and put back on the market instead of being destroyed after the 2008 scandal, whereby milk powder laced with melamine killed six children and sickened an estimated 300,000.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have published their Annual Report on Zoonoses and Food-borne outbreaks for 2008.
Jeff Rooker's report to the Food Standards Agency board on 26/01/10 has stated that Tim Smith, the FSA Chief Executive has written to Chief Executives of Asda, Sainsbury's, the Co-op, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Morrisons to highlight that a recent survey found that 65% of all fresh chicken sold in supermarkets carry campylobacter.
BBSRC will be launching its new five-year Strategic Plan on Thursday 28 January with a webcast from Chief Executive, Professor Douglas Kell.
The Food Standards Agency is launching a UK-wide campaign to raise awareness among food businesses about the Agency tools available to help businesses comply with food hygiene law.
Food processors and manufacturers are among those who should be forced to report their food waste tonnages on an annual basis, says a UK Parliamentary Report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) are today meeting with 50 leading agri-food scientists to identify coordinated ways to translate lab-based research into farm-scale projects to address the future global food security challenges. Delegates at the two-day 'BBSRC Agri-Systems Strategy Workshop' in Gloucestershire are looking at how current research into the individual basic components of agri-systems, such as crop productivity, livestock management, soil fertility, nitrogen usage and greenhouse gas emissions can be combined and replicated on a larger scale in order to meet the challenge of maximum food production at minimum cost to the environment.
The British Nutrition Foundation has recently published a report on traditional foods from 13 European countries, along with over 60 recipe cards. The work is part of the EU-funded EUROFIR ('European Food Information Resource Network') project, whose objective is to develop a comprehensive food information resource. EUROFIR is funded under the EU's 6th Framework Programme to the tune of €12 million. The data provided will offer an overview of the foods consumed across Europe. According to the researchers, traditional foods have been instrumental in how cultures and regions have prepared and consumed foods over many years. The preparation methods, in particular, are often linked to a country or region's folklore.
The Food Standards Agency welcomes the publication of voluntary salt targets by the New York City Health Department, which are part of the National Salt Reduction Initiative in the US.
The University of Lincoln has announced that it is launching a new degree programmes: BSc (Hons) Food Manufacture.
The BSc (Hons) in Agriculture and Environmental Management has been devised following recent Lantra studies which identified a significant skills gap in the sector due to the ageing workforce and increased demands of technology. Sixty percent of the vacancies in Agriculture crops and livestock in England are hard to fill - this is twice the level found across all other sectors of the economy.
The BSc in Food Manufacture is launched in response to the sector's acute difficulties in securing employees with the higher level skills required to ensure future competitiveness. Fifty per cent of the sector's workforce is over the age of 40 and one in four technologist posts are reported to be vacant due to the lack of skilled applicants.
Source: University of Lincoln Press Release.
With Spain taking up the Presidency of the EU from 1 January, the Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) has signalled its priorities for the next six months. These are detailed in a new CIAA document which focuses on competitiveness, food information, novel foods revisions, research and sustainability issues.
On competitiveness, the CIAA calls for the swift implementation of some 30 policy recommendations of a recent 2009 report produced by EU High Level Group on Competitiveness of the Agri-Food Industry. Topics considered important include: the adoption of a holistic approach to policy at the community level; creating a food supply chain forum; studying private labels; nutrition information to consumers; quality; and late payments and promotion.
The CIAA also wants discussions with the new Presidency on new food information regulations that are currently being devised, and wants increased funding on food research through the EU 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), taking into account the deliberations of the European Technology Platform 'Food for Life': this identified the following research priorities, improving health, well-being and longevity; building consumer trust; and supporting sustainable and ethical production.
The CIAA is hoping that revisions to novel foods regulations will soon be concluded though some issues still remain for further discussion, including the relationship between novel foods and health claims regulation, and a simplified notification system. It believes that approved novel foods should not be able to be reclassified as medicinal products at a national level, as this could hinder harmonisation. Vitamins and minerals should not fall within the novel foods regulation's scope.
The CIAA says it is crucial to safeguard competitiveness for internationally exposed food sub-sectors, particularly when it comes to designing CO2 benchmarks.
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has today (8 January) published its Report on 'Nanotechnologies and Food'. The Committee has been looking into the use of nanotechnologies in the food industry and has explored how the use of these technologies might develop. It has considered where government might need to develop regulations and effective communications to ensure public confidence is maintained.
Defra Secretary, Hilary Benn, unveiled the long-awaited strategy document 'Food 2030' at this week's Oxford Farming Conference. This strategy draws together a range of important policy strands, including food security, climate change, the environment, managing natural resources, nutrition and obesity. There is also an emphasis on research and development and improving skills in the industry.
'Food 2030' recognises the importance of the UK agrifood sector and suggests that the sector needs to be “talked up, not run down”. Mr Benn told delegates that “We need to produce more food, do it sustainably, and ensure the food we eat safeguards our health. It's a big challenge, but it's also a big opportunity.” Mr Benn said consumers needed to be better informed to help them make healthier, more sustainable choices and that misleading food labelling needed to be properly tackled. “The supply chain is critical,” he added. “Every aspect of it needs to competitive and resilient."
The strategy is the culmination of various investigations into food policy by the Government, over the last few years. In July 2008, the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit's 'Food Matters' report called for food policy to better integrated across Government and it highlighted climate change and obesity as key challenges. Defra published an assessment of UK food security in August 2009 looking at what the nation's food system might look like in 2030.
Source: Defra Press Release.
A number of prominent food professionals have been honoured in the New Year Honours List: Susan Knox OBE (for services to food safety); Dr Sydney Donnelly Neill OBE (Director, Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland Executive); and Valerie Braybrooks MBE (Dean and Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and
Animal Sciences, University of Lincoln - for services to Education and
to the Food Industry)
Mary Arbuthnot sat down recently with the Science Council's Chief Executive Diana Garnham and Deputy Registrar Alisdair Orr to get their perspective on the revalidation issue as it pertains to their Chartered Scientist (CSci) programme. The full picture, as she found out, is a complex and multi-faceted one. The following article is a summary of the most salient points – both macro and micro – that she took away from her conversation.
The South Eastern Branch of the Institute of Food Science and Technology is offering the award for an undergraduate Food Science and Technology (or related discipline) student at a UK University, to attend the IFST Spring Conference, entitled 'The Future of Food – Can We Strike the Right Balance'. The Conference, to be held in Edinburgh on April 22nd and 23rd 2010, will also include the IFST AGM and Dinner. This will provide an important opportunity for professional development through meeting eminent food scientists and participating in the scientific activities of the UK community of food scientists and technologists.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched a new website that aims to explore the issues around the looming challenge of feeding an ever increasing global population, and the world-class UK research already underway to help avert this potential crisis.
The website is a multimedia resource that gives background information on the food security agenda and facts and figures together with details about the impact of past research, current research activity and the scientific challenges ahead.
At the centre of the website is a new easy-to-use multi-author blog – the first on the web dedicated to food security and related research in the UK. It will feature posts from authors across the food security field, including researchers, farmers, industry leaders and consumers.
Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive said: “BBSRC is working with many UK and international partners to deliver food security. The Web is an exceptionally important means of disseminating ideas and knowledge, and we are inviting all our partners to join in the website's development."
IFST is pleased to announce that Professor Hugh Pennington has accepted the award of Honorary Vice President of the Institute. The honour recognises Prof Pennington's outstanding contribution in the area of food microbiology and food safety. He will be formally invested at IFST's Spring Conference in Edinburgh next April.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published its Honours level subject benchmark statement for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences.
Improve Ltd has recently launched new Qualifications and Standards sections on its website. You can learn more about the new families of Qualifications currently being developed - Improve Proficiency Qualifications (IPQs) and Improve Vocational Qualifications (IVQs). These new web sections feature consultation areas where you can have your say and provide feedback on the development of IPQs and IVQs, as well as Scottish Vocational Qualifications and Standards. As soon as documents are open for consultation they will be available online for comment.
IFST and the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) have jointly published an update to their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidance Document (pdf, 72kb) to help food safety professionals maintain and enhance their individual professional competence and maintain the professional reputation of the food manufacturing industry.
The guidance is designed for use by professionals involved in food safety management and can easily be incorporated into a training and development programme or used as an aid to help identify, update and improve knowledge of issues and developments within the food safety arena.
The guidance will benefit the food industry as it sets out common CPD standards that are clearly understood by all concerned and which will enable an individual's knowledge, skills and experience to be assessed.
IFST's updated new information statement provides an overview on mycotoxins including health implications, toxicological effects, regulatory limits, analytical methods and prevention and control.
Jon Poole will be the Institute of Food Science and Technology's Chief Executive Designate from January 2010.
The Institute of Food Science & Technology is pleased to announce the election of new Fellows.
Twenty seven PGCE food technology teachers attended a food hygiene training day sponsored by IFST at the University of East London on 8th September. This was followed up with a taster day on 19th October at the London Food Centre at London South Bank University.
IFST reviews the evidence for and against salt in relation to its effect on diet, blood pressure and heart disease.
IFST found BBSRC's Strategic Plan to be easily accessible and clear. We very much support the strategic objectives and themes identified and commend the BBSRC for giving food security such prominence.
IFST Chief Executive, Helen Gay Wild, Deputy Chief Executive, Jane Emery and UKFFoST Hon Secretary, Dr David Rosie, met Mme Meng, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese IFST, when she visited the UK in August.
IFST has a Co-operating Societies Agreement with CIFST and talks explored potential areas for closer collaboration. Opportunities were identified including a more active exchange of technical information, current topics of interest and publications; and IFST's accreditation and professional development activities, particularly Chartered Scientist, which title has formal EU recognition and is of international relevance given the need to assure professional standards across a global food chain. Mme Meng also met officers of UKFFoST, the UK representative body in the International Union of Food Science & Technology.
Advance notice of food science & technology related conferences, training courses and symposia through Food Science & Technology Meetings - a quarterly guide to all food science & technology related conferences and symposia
Welcome to our re-launched website. Building upon the success and reputation of IFST's previous site, the new website is designed to better serve and engage all sectors of public interest in food science and technology, and meet the growing needs of members.
The Institute of Food Science & Technology is pleased to announce the election of new Fellows
A new edition of IFST's List of Consultants and Other Technical Services is available now available on IFST's website. As a service both to members and to those seeking technical advice, the Institute periodically publishes lists of its senior members who are prepared to act as consultants, technical writers and technical translators.
The IFST Conference was held in the new food building at the University of Wales, Cardiff on the 24th April and addressed the theme 'Sustainability - A Challenge to the Food Industry'. It was attended by 135 delegates, one of the largest turnouts in recent years, and was a great success.
The lessons learned from the E. coli 0157 outbreak in South Wales in 2005 and the food industry's response were discussed at an IFST-sponsored POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) seminar held at the Palace of Westminster on 21 April. The event was chaired by Lord Rea (Chair of the Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum) and was attended by several politicians, along with senior representatives from regulatory and enforcement bodies and from the IFST.
Rajiv Perumal, a final year BSc (Hons) student at Nottingham University, Sutton Bonington campus, who received a UKFFoST John Coppock Award grant to assist his attendance at the 14th IUFoST World Congress of Food Science & Technology in Shanghai in October 2008, has now received UKFFoST's John Hawthorn Memorial Award in recognition of the excellence of his Report on the Congress.
The Institute of Food Science & Technology is pleased to announce the election of new Fellows.
The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) is delighted to announce that its Licence to award Chartered Scientist to appropriately qualified members has been renewed by the Science Council for a further 5 years.
The INSTITUTE OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, the qualifying body for the profession, has elected Carol A Phillips as President.
The Institute of Food Science & Technology is pleased to announce the election of new Fellows.