Conference explores impact of food structure on nutrient bioavailability

Traditionally, the bioavailability of nutrients has been determined by simply examining the nutrient composition of foods. This is changing, however, as awareness of the effect of food format and food structure on nutrient bioavailability increases. In turn, this is shifting the focus for the development of nutritional guidelines.

The second in a series to be hosted by Massey University’s Riddet Institute and the CSIRO, the 2013 Food Structures, Digestion and Health international conference will bring together food industry professionals and world-leading scientists with a common interest in food design to deliver better nutrition and improve consumer wellbeing.

The event program will cover food, public health and wellbeing sessions on:

• how nutrient uptake and bioavailability is affected by food structures and matrices
• nutritional genomics for diet and health management
• impact of oral processing and food disassembly on sensory perception
• clinical and preclinical dietary design and substantiation
• identifying biomarkers for health and wellbeing
• non-invasive measurement and modelling the function of the human gastrointestinal tract challenges and opportunities when designing healthier foods

The event also includes a pre-conference master class, ‘Food design for biological function’. The master class will examine trending industry topics including: food materials and design; oral processing and sensory perception; and digestive transport and behaviour. The session will also include a career advice and case study discussion to assist scientists to identify career paths and opportunities.

Selected paper submissions from the conference will be published in a special conference issue of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s journal, Food & Function. Students will have the opportunity to present their research to leading scientists.

The 2013 Food Structures, Digestion and Health conference will be held from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 October 2013 at the Bayview Eden Hotel in Melbourne. More information about the conference is available at www.foodstructureandhealth2013.com.