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Food processing and manufacture


Food processing is the stage that comes between the production and consumption of food for example peeling, slaughtering, canning, freezing, milling, cooking, irradiating or adding substances.  Raw materials are altered in appearance, flavour and texture to make them palatable or appetising.  Processing provides a variety of functions such as preserving and refining food.


Food Additives and E-Numbers - Behind the Hype

The RSC's Library and Information Centre has compiled background information on this latest food issue.

Related Links

Link icon Additives and technologies for food processing
The European Food Information Council's page on food processing provides tables on additives and technologies that optimise the qualities of food for consumption

Link icon Burkina Faso mango mountains
Food processing and preservation allow storage of food during times of plenty or surplus to provide a resource during scarcity. Farmers of Burkina Faso dealing with their mango mountains illustrates this in a page from TVE/ Practical Action productions often broadcast by the BBC and who count the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and European Commission (EC) among their supporters

Link icon Fact sheets on processed foods
The Association of Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Companies has an informative set of fact sheets on various processed foods.

Link icon Processed Foods for Improved Livelihoods
The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has produced a detailed but well structured booklet which ranges in topic from types of processing to packaging and diverse "how to do it" equipment and methods advice on e.g. bakery and confectionary


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Chemical Enquiry of the month - March 2008

Natural flavours in food and drink

Exclusive to RSC Members - RSC Virtual Library full text e-content

Books from Knovel: Food Additives Data Book Books from NetLibrary: Novel Food Processing Technologies Full text e-journals from Springer: European Food Research and Technology; Food Biophysics; Food and Bioprocess Technology

RSC Books

Kitchen Chemistry

Kitchen Chemistry

Copyright: 2005
Ted Lister

Suitable for a wide range of ages, this book provides an exciting context for some familiar chemistry and a way to engage students with the subject.


Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry 14

Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry 14

Copyright: 2008
Peter A Williams

A useful information source for researchers and other professionals in industry and academia, particularly those involved directly with food science.