The University of Newcastle, Australia

The Central Coast community will receive an exclusive insight into technologies and processes designed to help the foodservice industry meet the challenge of continually ensuring product safety.

Newcastle Innovation, the commercial arm of the University of Newcastle, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology will hold a Food Technology Exchange on Tuesday 11 November 2008 at the University's Central Coast campus.

The event will showcase the University's innovative research capabilities in food science technology including nutrition, molecular nutrition, post-harvest horticulture, functional foods and food processing. The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology will also promote its new Cook Chill Blue Book - a guide on the safe production, storage and distribution of cook chill in the foodservices and retail industries.

Newcastle Innovation CEO, Dr Brent Jenkins said although Australia enjoyed a high level of food safety protection, issues concerning quality, processing, safety and security were common and always under scrutiny.

"The nutritional value and safety of the food we eat is influenced by the development, manufacture, preparation and handling of the products," Dr Jenkins said.

"Food producers, wholesalers, transporters, retailers and health providers all have a role to play. It is important for the industry to look towards adopting new technologies and processes to deliver safe foods with more substantiated health benefits in the future."

"The Central Coast campus is a recognised centre for food science research. The researchers are leaders in their field and are investigating technologies to improve processes, safety and food quality for industry."

Dr Jenkins said the Food Technology Exchange would also provide opportunities for industry to gain solutions to real-world problems through technology transfer, contract research and consulting provided by Newcastle Innovation and the University.

The Food Technology Exchange will be held on Tuesday 11 November 2008 from 9.30am - 12pm at the Central Coast campus (at Ourimbah). To register email Kim Turner.