Food Security

The theme of this issue of The World of Food Science provides a timely reminder of the huge challenges that face governments, national and international organisations, food producers, processors and distributors, and consumers themselves, over the availability of sufficient food to satisfy the requirements and expectations of the world's poor and undernourished. Food security was discussed in plenary and technical sessions, a panel discussion and in an internet forum prior to the 14th World Congress of Food Science and Technology held in Shanghai, China in October 2008. Some papers from Congress 14, expert statements that catalysed comments during the pre-Congress internet forum, and reports of activities involving international agencies (UN and FAO) provide up-to-date information on where we are, and what food scientists and technologists can do to assist.

A Focus paper in this issue continues the theme of Volume 5: Global Developments in Food Standards and Regulations, with comments on the history of the US FDA providing food for thought. The International Regulatory Update section contains a report of the 30th session of the Codex Committee for Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses, and a summary of the EU Food Improvement Agents Package of new regulations.

An enlightening perspective of the World Congress from UK food science student Rajiv Perumal appears in theStudent Reports and Perspectives section.

Do you have comments on any papers that you read in The World of Food Science? Would you like to contribute an article about issues in your part of the world? If so, send them to me (k.buckle@unsw.edu.au) or to IUFoST Secretary-General Judith Meech (jmeech@iufost.org).

Ken Buckle
Chair, Editorial Advisory board

History Lesson: Let's Not Return to Caveat Emptor for the Foods We Eat
The USA food and drug laws that were designed to protect consumers from unsafe, fraudulent and adulterated products are over a century old. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has become increasingly politicised, and ineffective. This article traces the history of the problem and proposes some remedies.

The Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy FAO
The conference, organised by the FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, was opened by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who urged participants to act in partnership, and to reach a greater level of international consensus on biofuels.

Food Security - IUFoST President's Message
Food security and safety is of major worldwide concern, and where IUFoST is making a major input. The vision of IUFoST is "to Strengthen Global Food Science and Technology for Humanity". At our 1995 World Congress, IUFoST agreed the Budapest Declaration, in which: "We declare our determination to work for the elimination of hunger and reduction of all forms of malnutrition throughout the world".

Report on Food Security Forum
To assist IUFoST in identifying its role in providing leadership and resources in addressing the vexing problem of food security, an Internet discussion was organised prior to the 14th World Congress of Food Science and Technology held in Shanghai, China from 19-23 October 2008.

Challenge Statements on Food Security from Invited Experts
An internet discussion was organised to provide views for a Food Security Forum held during the 14th World Congress of Food Science and Technology which was held in Shanghai, China on 19-23 October 2008.

[UN] Secretary General's Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon established a Task Force on the global food security crisis under his chairmanship on 28 April 2008. It is composed of the heads of involved United Nations specialised agencies, funds and programs, the Bretton Woods institutions, and relevant parts of the UN Secretariat.

Food and Hunger Perspectives Beyond 2010
In the year 2000 the world population grew to six billion people. By the year 2025 the world population is predicted to grow by nearly two billion more people, and is estimated to reach about 9 billion by 2050. Virtually all of this increase will occur in developing countries.

Food Security and Global Environmental Change - Unifying the Diverse
In both North America and in parts of the UK (for example in the London Food Strategy), there is still some confusion over the meaning of the term, equating it with the concept of food defence and associated terrorist activity or national disasters. It is perhaps helpful to clarify any misconceptions by restating the FAO definition:

Food and Nutrition Security in the Developing Nations
The demand for food for human consumption will increase, but it is certain that the demand for quality and value-added food products will increase logarithmically.

Food Safety and Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: "Are We There Yet?"
"Food security" can have different meanings to various people. To some, it means having an adequate supply of food material to feed the population of a country or region from one harvest period until the next.

Report on Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Workshop on Food Education, Security and Social Perspectives
The Food Science and Nutrition Program (FSNP) at the Faculty of Science of Addis Ababa University, is the first of its kind in Ethiopia offering PhD and MSc programs.

Preserving Food After Harvest is an Integral Component of Food Security
Of the many factors that affect food security, one that is often overlooked is the need to prevent spoilage of food between the time it is harvested and the time it is consumed. This time can range from one day for highly perishable foods such as milk and meat to several years for stable crops such as cereal grains.

Using Food Science and Technology to Improve Nutrition and Promote National Development: Selected Case Studies
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has commenced preparation of a Handbook to highlight successful applications of research and development to improve nutrition and promote national development in developing countries.

FAO E-mail Conference on Role of Agricultural Biotechnologies For Production of Bioenergy in Developing Countries
In October & December 2008 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United nations held an e-mail conference exploring the role that application of agricultural biotechnologies may play for production of bioenergy in developing countries, with a major focus on liquid biofuels.

• WFS Editorial Board

IUFoST Scientific Information Bulletins

• Best Practices in Risk & Crisis Communication
• Biotechnology & Food
• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
• Chemical Hazards in Food
• Equivalence in Food Safety Management
• Food Allergens
• Food Defense
• Nanotechnology & Food
• Obesity
• Safety, Risk & the Precautionary Principle
• Taking the Measure of Water
• Trans Fatty Acids

IFT Scientific Status Summaries

IFT Expert Reports

• Antimicrobial Resistance: Implications for the Food System

FAO Food Safety Risk Analysis: A guide for national food safety authorities

FAO/WHO guidance on the application of HACCP in small food businesses

WHO Food Safety - Five Keys to Safer Food Manual (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic)

IFST Information Statements

• Cryptosporidium
• Cyclospora
• Foodborne Viral Infections
• HIV/AIDS and the Food Handler
• Verocytotoxin -producing E. coli food poisoning and its prevention

• Joint IUFoST/FAO Database Relevant to the Food Needs of Developing Countries
• IFT Healthful Foods Directory
• IFT Services Directory
• IFT Food Technology Buyer's Guide