Food Science and Technology

Food science helps identify allergens and create safe options for those with dietary
restrictions. For example, lactose-free milk allows people who are lactose-intolerant to enjoy
cow's milk. Food science also brought us gluten-free bread and plant-based imitation meat
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Is Food Science, And Why Is Food Science Important?

What Is Food Science, And Why Is Food Science Important?

Why is food science important? Food is one of the most essential resources on our
planet, but with the effects of climate change and the increasing global population, it
may not always be accessible to everyone.

We need food science to ensure a sustainable future for humanity. Using technology and
scientific principles from multiple fields such as biology and chemistry, food scientists can
make food easier to grow, safer, and healthier. In this post, we explore the question,

“What is food science and technology?” and provide examples of food science.

What Is Food Science?

Food science is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on solving real-world problems around
the production of food. Modern consumers want safe, nutritious, and easily available food.
Food scientists help farmers, grocers, and other businesses meet those demands. The science
of food involves studying:

 Food composition
 Preparation
 Processing
 Preservation
 Effects on human health

Types of Food Science

There are several different areas of food science. Food scientists usually pick one area to
specialize in, but there is some overlap between the subfields.

 Food Chemistry: A large portion of food science is understanding the molecular

structure of the food we consume.
  Food Engineering: An important piece in the food production pipeline, food
engineers explore processes from what materials go into our packaging to how to
preserve freshness in ingredients.
 Food Microbiology: Food microbiologists study microbes, pathogens, and other
microorganisms present in food.
 Sensory Analysis: This subfield of food science focuses on evaluating foods based on
the five senses – taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight.

Why Is Food Science Important?

Now that you know the definition of food science, let’s look at its benefits. What does food
science do? Food scientists work to ensure that there is enough safe, healthy, and accessible
food for all people and animals. This includes food for livestock and pets.

The study of food allows us to understand the plants and animals that we eat and how to
improve current food systems to make them more efficient and sustainable. Below are the six
main reasons why food science is important now and in the future.

Enhancing Food Safety

Food safety and quality will continue to remain a key part of sustainability as the Earth
warms. Food safety issues tackled by food scientists include:

 Reducing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses

 Improving food shelf life
 Creating safe packaging
Food tech is continually improving in ways that enhance food safety. For example, scientists
have found they can use high-pressure or light energy to sterilize foods. Consider specializing
in food microbiology if you are interested in food safety.

Improving Nutritional Quality

Scientists only began to really understand nutrition within the past century. Using the science
of food, we can understand the nutrients that we need and how to enhance foods to meet
those dietary needs. This is done in many foods already, such as adding iron or folic acid to
bread and cereal. Improving the nutritional quality of readily available foods that people
already enjoy eating can improve the overall health of a population.