Food Scientist

Now in its fifth edition, Food Science remains the most popular and reliable text for introductory courses in food science and technology. This new edition retains the basic format and pedagogical features of previous editions and provides an up-to-date foundation upon which more advanced and specialized knowledge can be built. This essential volume introduces and surveys the broad and complex interrelationships among food ingredients, processing, packaging, distribution and storage, and explores how these factors influence food quality and safety. Reflecting recent advances and emerging technologies in the area, this new edition includes updated commodity and ingredient chapters to emphasize the growing importance of analogs, macro-substitutions, fat fiber and sugar substitutes and replacement products, especially as they affect new product development and increasing concerns for a healthier diet. Revised processing chapters include changing attitudes toward food irradiation, greater use of microwave cooking and microwaveable products, controlled and modified atmosphere packaging and expanding technologies such a extrusion cooking, ohmic heating and supercritical fluid extraction, new information that addresses concerns about the responsible management of food technology, considering environmental, social and economic consequences, as well as the increasing globalization of the food industry. Discussions of food safety an consumer protection including newer phychrotropic pathogens; HAACP techniques for product safety and quality; new information on food additives; pesticides and hormones; and the latest information on nutrition labeling and food regulation. An outstanding text for students with little or no previous instruction in food science and technology, Food Science is also a valuable reference for professionals in food processing, as well as for those working in fields that service, regulate or otherwise interface with the food industry.

The practical approached championed in this book have led to increasing the quality on many successful products through providing a better understanding of consumer needs, current product and process performance and a desired future state. In 2009, Frank Rossi and Viktor Mirtchev brought their practical statistical thinking forward and created the course “Statistics for Food Scientists . The intent of the course was to help product and process developers increase the probability of their project’s success through the incorporation of practical statistical thinking in their challenges. The course has since grown and has become the basis of this book. Presents detailed descriptions of statistical concepts and commonly used statistical tools to better analyze data and interpret results Demonstrates thorough examples and specific practical problems of what food scientists face in their work and how the tools of statistics can help them to make more informed decisions Provides information to show how statistical tools are applied to improve research results, enhance product quality, and promote overall product development

Becoming a Food Scientist is designed as a reservoir of ideas for those beginning a graduate education in food science or beginning a professional career in the field. Although at times it may read as a how-to manual for success in graduate school, it is meant to encourage each reader to study the research process, to challenge conventional wisdom, and to develop a career path that maximizes the probability of success both in school and beyond. The author has viewed food science graduate programs through the lenses of programs at four universities and service in numerous activities with the Institute of Food Technologists. This book is thus focused on the field of food science, but it may have relevance to other scientific disciplines. The book introduces the concept of research as process in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters focus on individual unit operations of research: idea generation, problem definition, critical evaluation of the literature, method selection, experimental design, data collection, processing and analysis, and knowledge dissemination. Successful graduate students in food science must master each of these operations. The final section of the book pushes the reader beyond graduate school into its practice in the real world. Topics covered in the maturation of a food scientist include the scientific meeting, critical thinking, science and philosophy, ethics, finding and managing the literature, planning, grantsmanship, laboratory setup and management, and career development. This book should be a meaningful companion for any graduate student in the field and those transitioning from graduate school to the food science profession.

Following the success of the previous editions, this popular introductory text continues to provide thorough, up-to-date information covering a broad range of topics in food science, with emphasis on food processing and handling and the methodology of specific foods. Presenting a multitude of easy-to-understand figures, tables, illustrated concepts and methods. This text maintains the strengths of the previous edition while adding new information. The book opens with a revised chapter on what food science actually is, detailing the progression of food science from beginning to future. Succeeding chapters include the latest information on food chemistry and dietary recommendations, food borne diseases and microbial activity. A complete revision of HACCP is outlined, accompanied by numerous examples of flow charts and applications, as well as major additions on food labeling. Extensive updates have been made on processing methods and handling of foods, such as new procedures on: candy making; coffee and tea production; beer and wine production; soft drinks; ultra high temperature processing; aseptic packaging; aquaculture and surimi; and UHT and low temperature pasteurization of milk. In addition, there is a completely new section which includes safety and sanitation as well as laboratory exercises in sensory, microbiological, chemical quality test, and processing methods for a variety of the foods described in previous chapters.

Presents scientific answers to a series of miscellaneous questions, covering such topics as "Why are bubbles round," "Why are the Earth, Sun, and Moon all spinning," and "How you can tell the temperature by listening to a cricket."

It has become popular to blame the American obesity epidemic and many other health-related problems on processed food. Many of these criticisms are valid for some processed-food items, but many statements are overgeneralizations that unfairly target a wide range products that contribute to our health and well-being. In addition, many of the proposed dangers allegedly posed by eating processed food are exaggerations based on highly selective views of experimental studies. We crave simple answers to our questions about food, but the science behind the proclamations of food pundits is not nearly as clear as they would have you believe. This book presents a more nuanced view of the benefits and limitations of food processing and exposes some of the tricks both Big Food and its critics use to manipulate us to adopt their point of view. Food is a source of enjoyment, a part of our cultural heritage, a vital ingredient in maintaining health, and an expression of personal choice. We need to make those choices based on credible information and not be beguiled by the sophisticated marketing tools of Big Food nor the ideological appeals and gut feelings of self-appointed food gurus who have little or no background in nutrition.

Describes the requirements, education, and duties associated with becoming a food scientist. Includes profiles of prominent pioneers in food science.