Collections
Food science and cookery
In this collection we explore the chemistry of cooking, food production, processing and storage including food analysis, safety and quality assurance, packaging and preservation, additives and flavour, agriculture and biotechnology and bio-based foods and meat alternatives.
Webinar
Culinary chemistry: Exploring the science of baking with Josh Smalley
Join chemist and Bake-Off finalist Josh Smalley live from his kitchen laboratory for a webinar with a culinary twist
Opinion
Investigating the molecular basis of a nice cup of tea
How Michelle Francl researched how to make the perfect brew
Review
The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained + More Than 100 Essential Recipes
Exciting recipes and beautiful photographs, but at the expense for murky science
Research
Thriving wine trade in Islamic Sicily revealed by the chemistry of its pottery
A new method for determining if pottery containers held wine or other grape products could help archaeologist chart the use of the ancient drink
Opinion
Poisons leave no mushroom for error
Will you enjoy a delicious treat, or endure excruciating agony?
European Commission to consult on bisphenol A ban in food packaging
The action comes after the EU’s food safety body identified BPA as a human health concern last year
Testing extends range of US chocolate foods containing lead and cadmium
Consumer Reports calls on brands to do more to lower levels of metals in their products
California ban on four food additives could spur wider action across US
New law prohibiting brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye 3 in food uses is effective January 2027
Mutagens on the menu
Discussions about food safety need to be sensible, not sensationalist
Europeans’ BPA exposure still exceeds safety threshold but levels may be starting to fall
Europe’s environment agency finds that BPA levels in the urine of 92% of adults from 11 European nations exceeds safe limit
Concerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging
Gene assays reveal disruption to cell receptors crucial for hormonal and metabolic control
Citizen science project investigates what happens to biodegradable plastics in compost heaps
Testing the biodegradability of plastic through citizen science
Are everyday chemicals contributing to global obesity?
Research in animal models suggests the simple ‘energy in, energy out’ model doesn’t tell the whole story. Anthony King talks to researchers worried about obesogens
Former Coca-Cola chemist imprisoned for trade secret theft
14-year sentence for Xiaorong You, who stole secrets related to BPA-free can linings from major chemical and coating firms
Coca-Cola chemist convicted of trade secret theft
Xiaorong You stole files detailing BPA-free can coatings from seven major chemicals firms
Brewing better Belgian beer with artificial intelligence
Machine learning tool can predict a beer’s taste and quality and which flavour compounds could improve it
Why oranges taste like oranges
Orange or mandarin? Seven esters make the difference
Culinary chemistry: Exploring the science of baking with Josh Smalley
Join chemist and Bake-Off finalist Josh Smalley live from his kitchen laboratory for a webinar with a culinary twist
Blessèd are the cheesemakers for their bacterial community shall show its worth
Community matters among bacteria when it comes to producing full-flavoured cheddars
Steeped: The chemistry of tea – with author Michelle Francl
Learn more about the chemistry involved in brewing the perfect cup of tea
An alternative approach to baking
As more people want ingredients ‘free-from’ existing staples, Victoria Atkinson looks at the science behind substitutes for gluten, eggs and gelatine
Mutagens on the menu
Discussions about food safety need to be sensible, not sensationalist
Omega-3s and brain health
Modern diets can leave us short on essential fatty acids. Barbara Pinho looks into how this is affecting our health and our brains in particular
Controlling chemistry of chocolate making could speed up process without compromising taste
Non-microbial way to make chocolate that might supplant fermentation
Deadly liquid nitrogen leak at US poultry plant prompts $1m in fines
Georgia chicken processing facility, its gas supplier and cleaners failed to implement safety procures that could have saved six lives
Sponsored
How the chemical industry supports sustainable farming
Daniel Vennard, chief sustainability officer at the Syngenta Group, shares his perspective on why farming is an important part of the sustainability conversation
PestiMix: tackling the pesticide problem
Screening pesticide compounds just got smarter and faster
Perfect precision in food product analysis
Chemical analysis of food products and ingredients is advancing product development, deformulation, reformulation and contamination identification
Immunity trend puts vitamin fortification centre stage
Manufacturers look to meet consumer demand for immune-strengthening products in the wake of Covid-19
The question of EU novel food status
From CBD to nanoparticles, novel food regulation is a complex but necessary process for bringing new food products to market in the EU
Plant-based food revolution
Understanding the physical and microstructural properties of ingredients is vital to plant-based food and beverage product development
ResearchMicroscopy structures reveal mechanism behind bitter taste
Cryo-EM images provide a detailed picture of bitter taste receptors
WebinarThe pivotal role of chemistry in India’s sustainable development
Join us on 5 June to learn how chemistry is playing an important role in shaping the future of sustainable development in India
ResearchBrewing better Belgian beer with artificial intelligence
Machine learning tool can predict a beer’s taste and quality and which flavour compounds could improve it
ResearchConcerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging
Gene assays reveal disruption to cell receptors crucial for hormonal and metabolic control
NewsEuropean Commission to consult on bisphenol A ban in food packaging
The action comes after the EU’s food safety body identified BPA as a human health concern last year
ResearchProtecting wine from wildfire smoke taint with a nanotech coating
US researchers, prompted by vineyard losses from 2020 wildfires on the west coast, have developed protective cellulose nanofibre coatings for grapes
WebinarCulinary chemistry: Exploring the science of baking with Josh Smalley
Join chemist and Bake-Off finalist Josh Smalley live from his kitchen laboratory for a webinar with a culinary twist
OpinionInvestigating the molecular basis of a nice cup of tea
How Michelle Francl researched how to make the perfect brew
OpinionTom Bullock’s eggnog
Raychelle Burks demonstrates how to make a classic festive cocktail – and dives into the intriguing history of a famous mixologist
ResearchBlessèd are the cheesemakers for their bacterial community shall show its worth
Community matters among bacteria when it comes to producing full-flavoured cheddars
FeatureAn alternative approach to baking
As more people want ingredients ‘free-from’ existing staples, Victoria Atkinson looks at the science behind substitutes for gluten, eggs and gelatine
WebinarSteeped: The chemistry of tea – with author Michelle Francl
Learn more about the chemistry involved in brewing the perfect cup of tea
ResearchMachine learning tool fed red wines’ chemical profiles can deduce where they’re from
Statistical tool matches wines to their estates with 100% accuracy
FeatureIs modern food lower in nutrients?
Studies suggest that our fruit and vegetables are losing nutrients. Bárbara Pinho examines the evidence and looks at the implications of a ‘nutrient collapse’
OpinionWill new lab-developed ingredients pass the taste test?
An insight into the future of traditional meals
NewsItaly bans cultivated meat products
New law prohibits the production or sale of cultivated meat in Italy, with fines of up to €60,000
NewsFisheries agency concludes it’s ‘very unlikely’ pyridine behind UK crustacean deaths after new tests
Cause of mass die-offs in late 2021 and early 2022 still a mystery