Food Group

The Food Group is one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's many Interest Groups. The Interest Groups are member driven groups which exist to benefit Royal Society of Chemistry members, and the wider chemical science community, in line with the Royal Society of Chemistry's strategy and charter.

Aims

The aims of the food group are to promote the role of chemistry in food and enable transfer and sharing of information and networking between academia and the food industry. This includes analytical, biochemical, chemical, physical, nutritional and toxicological aspects of food and food ingredients and the composition and relationships between structure and functionality throughout the entire food chain in a way to enhance sustainability and food and nutrition security. We also aim to:

• foster an awareness of the importance of chemistry in the food chain
• encourage interactions between scientists and technologists engaged in food research and development
• help transfer such scientific research from ideas to applications

Food Group Schools Poster Competition 2023

Please note, entries have now closed and winners will be announced here shortly.

The RSC Food Group with sponsorship from Mondelēz are pleased to announce their Schools Poster Competition for students from 14-18. This year's theme is "The Chemistry of Good Chocolate".

RSC Food Group Schools Poster Competition flyer

Eligibility and Criteria: 

1. Groups of 2-3 students from a single UK-based school per poster
2. Posters can be digital or hand-drawn, and had to be submitted to rscfoodgroup@gmail.com by end of 30 June 2023
3. The winners will be announced by 31 July 2023, with the prize session to be delivered in September/October 2023 (exact date to be agreed with the winners and Mondelēz)
4. All posters must be original, although research on the topic is encouraged
5. Judging will be carried out by the RSC Food Group and will be based on:
   • originality of the poster
   • clear communication of the message/research
   • relevance to the theme

Prize

The winning students, plus their teacher, will get to spend half a day at Mondelēz Research and Development, the home of Cadbury, where they'll get to hand temper and mould some different chocolates, along with a technical discussion of the chemistry happening during chocolate tempering, moulding and eating! Travel expenses of up to £800 will be covered as part of the prize.

Food Group Established Career Medal 2022

"His international collaborations underline his reputation in the field, working not only with other academics but also with regulators and working parties.”

Professor Mackie was presented with his medal at the RSC AGM Meeting held at Burlington House on 1 December 2022.

The RSC Food group would like to thank Elsevier for their sponsorship of the Open Medal and the kind donation of £2000 prize.

Relevant publications

Check out the latest Saltmarsh’s Essential Guide to Food Additives: Edition 5

Get Involved

We are always looking for new members who are keen to get involved and to help organise our activities. If you would like to find out more please contact the Secretary using the form below.

We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@RSC_FoodGroup).

We also have an online chemistry community for food at MyRSC for anyone who shares our interests.

How to Join

RSC members can join the Food Group by updating their details in the “My communities and subscriptions” tab of the online RSC membership area. Please click here to login and add to your list of Interest Groups.

Quick links

Awards

The Food Group awards two medals: the Early Career Medal (previously Junior Medal) and Established Career Medal (previously Senior Medal).

There is currently a call for nominations for our Early Career Medal.

MyRSC Food Group

This group is open to anyone with an interest in food science. You will be required to register for MyRSC, then you can sign up to become a member of this group

Forthcoming events

Forthcoming events organised by the Food Group.

Contact the Secretary

For further information on the Food Group you can contact the Secretary, Mr Alan Cross MRSC.

Support for interest groups

Useful information and resources for all RSC interest groups.

Committee

Chair

Dr Jane Parker MRSC

Treasurer

Dr Wendy Russell MRSC