An Exeter Food Research Network Seminar Professor Alan Kelly- Is there a problem with food processing?

Abstract: Today, there is a lot of talk about the processing of food, and increasing controversy about the idea of processing, ultra-processed food, and food formulation in general.  Negative perceptions of how and why we process and formulate food represent a threat to public confidence in the food supply and the food industry, and lead to real risks in the area of food safety, and so better communications around these topics to improve public understanding of food science are critically important. The origins of food processing are actually quite ancient, and many familiar food products came about from different ways in which to make them safe to consume and preserve them for storage and transport.  In this talk, the history and goals of food processing will be briefly explored, and as a case study it will be shown how every dairy product is a different solution to the challenge of preserving the nutritional goodness of milk.  An interactive discussion on how to address the public perceptions of these topics will be welcomed!