About Us - Food Science and Technology
The Food Science and Technology Division specialises in all aspects food manufacture to satisfy the current needs of the world’s population. Our graduates are in high demand as they develop theoretical and practical knowledge that enables them to work in the international food industry. Our courses are taught in New Zealand and abroad.
Our Focus
We have a strong focus on dairy and meat type products and have a
specialist unit for post harvest technology. We are unique in that we
are part of an institute with expertise in other aspects of health and
wellbeing relevant to the development of foods for today’s society.
Our Challenge
Our challenge is to develop foods that meet nutritional and sensory demands using economical and sustainable manufacturing processes. The expertise of our staff spans all sectors of the food industry with particular expertise in post harvest technology, engineering processes, product development, sensory and food safety. Many of the staff have worked for food manufacturing companies and maintain close contact with the food industry as well as academia. This adds strength to our rapidly growing research programme.
Our Research
Examples of our research themes are developing foods for the aged, optimising the shelf life of foods, novel and exciting new consumer products, alternative processing techniques and developing a fundamental understanding of food components. We have a modern food pilot plant and associated laboratories with specialist equipment for extrusion, high pressure processing, retort processing, ice cream manufacture, drying and freeze drying.
