208-319 Trends in Food Science and Nutrition

Many new technologies may influence food production in the future: some will be acceptable to consumers on the basis of lack of perceived risk, while others may be technologically sound but unacceptable to consumers. This subject will examine emerging technologies for food production, processing and preservation and the underlying scientific and engineering principles. This will include developing a greater understanding of nutritional and sensory analysis of foods, particularly where new product development involves novel functionality (such as conferring health benefits or new physical traits) or the interaction between food and packaging materials. Assignments will develop skills in critical analysis of the technologies, their possible application, risks associated with these and consumer views on these issues. Group assignments will be undertaken to develop skill in working with colleagues in critically analysing information on emerging biological, processing and engineering technologies that will influence new food product development.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Describe the scientific and technological principles underpinning emerging food processing technologies and their influence on food quality, safety and nutritional benefits

• Understanding the relationship between food additives and packaging materials in product development, functionality and shelf life extension

• Describe the theoretical and practical sceptics of sensory analysis

• Critically analyse emerging technologies in terms of their efficacy, suitability for particular application and potential risks in their application.

Group assignment evaluation and oral presentation (20%); assignment of 3000 words (30%); two industry visit reports of 1000 words (10%); one 2-hour examination (40%).

• P J Fellows, Food Processing Technology. 2nd edition, Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, 2000.
• E Mary et al, Food Product Development. Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, 2001.