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Food Supply Chain impact During this unprecedented global challenge following the coronavirus outbreak, the fragility of the UK food supply chain has been highlighted especially in the light of empty supermarket shelves. Currently food and drink industry employees are designated essential workers to support the nation’s wellbeing and maintain food supplies. It is at such a time we reflect on the fundamental importance of a safe and sustainable supply of food and the need for long term Agrifood strategies. Last year, members of the Food Group Committee updated and published “Food-The Vital Ingredient” which highlights the challenges we are now facing and hopefully may be read by policy-makers.The UK Agricultural sector produces approximately 50% of what we eat, which Professor Tim Lang has stated should be 80%. We have seen the fragility of the milk supply chain in the UK and in markets like the USA where milk is being thrown away because of the demand shift from food service to retail. Once again highlighting the need for longer term Agrifood policies and also how chemists can play a key part.In the last few months we have witnessed many innovations across industries to support the NHS and many Flavour industry suppliers have used their alcohol stocks to produce hand sanitizers for critical workers.We would be pleased to hear of any food related initiatives to share with our members if you e mail us at: rscfoodgroup@gmail.comEvent postponements due to Covid-19 outbreak: Advances in the Chemical Analysis of Food IIIThe Food Group and Separation Science Group cancelled this event due to take place on 27th March and hope to reschedule later in the year.Total Foods 2020, 15-17th April, The University of Nottingham - Early Career registration grantOur interest group has awarded 3 registration grants to support early career scientists to attend this conference, following submission of abstracts. It is hoped to take place later this yearSave the date- Plastics, From Cradle to Grave and Resurrection, June 2021 at SCI, LondonFollowing on from a successful conference held last year, a follow up conference has been organised to expand on the key themes. There will be a thematic link between the current use of plastics, toxicology and standardisation, sampling and analysis and the future of plastic usage. This event was planned for 9th June but has been postponed until June 2021.Save the date- 6th International Conference on Food Oral Processing (FOP) 2021 11-14th July, Valencia, SpainThe RSC Food Group has a long history of involvement with this bi-annual conference and will be supporting it again through abstract prizes. It is aimed at deepening the understanding and interplay of food structure, oral breakdown, in-mouth food trajectory and human perception. It offers an excellent opportunity for industrial researchers and academics to meet and collaborate, and has been postponed until July 2021.RSC Food Group Junior Medal 2019 PresentationDr Anwesha Sarkar of The University of Leeds was the winner of the Food Group Junior Medal 2019. Her research has led to scientific breakthroughs in designing novel food structures with targeted oral lubrication and she was awarded an ERC Grant to fund Project LubSat and based on step change research, it’s believed that this work could lead to multiple health related food solutions.The aim of this Food Group award is to encourage and recognise excellence in early career scientists in the application of chemical sciences to the study of all aspects of food, drawing attention to the challenges in the food industry and will next be awarded in 2021.Food Chemistry Periodic Table for IYPT The RSC Food Group produced a Food Chemistry Periodic Table, highlighting the function of selected elements in food chemistry, to celebrate this important milestone. It highlights element occurrences and roles in food and the body and offers an engaging tool for Outreach and educational activities and a downloadable file is available below.Newsletter Check out our latest newsletter by clicking on the tab at the top of the www.rsc.org/food webpage.
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