424: The story behind Denmark's £1bn plant-based revolution
Denmark is a key player in the global food system, from meat and dairy exports to beer production, the label “Made in Denmark” means a lot. And now, the country is turning much of its attention to plant-based in a major way. Over the last couple of years, the Danish government has set aside well over £1bn to support the production of plant-based food and a ‘green transformation’ of the agricu...
39m May 10, 2023
39m
423: Interview: Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser on gene-edited crops
In March this year, the UK Government passed a new law (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/gene-editing-act-passed-into-england-law/) allowing gene-edited food to be developed commercially in England. It is a controversial subject and one which has its supporters and its detractors. Those in favour say it will improve food security, making it easier to develop hardier crops that will help us...
29m May 09, 2023
29m
422: How King Charles "moved the dial" on sustainable farming
The coronation of King Charles the Third is upon us. But away from the street parties and the pomp at Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, we are going to focus on the new King’s impact on agriculture. As Prince of Wales, Charles was a long-time advocate for sustainable agriculture (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/5-fascinating-facts-about-soil-and-the-root-microbiome-featuring-george...
36m May 05, 2023
36m
421: Can processed food affect your mental health?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we investigate the potential link between mental health and ultra-processed foods. The term ‘processed food’ encompasses more than you might think. From grinding wheat to cooking an egg, processed just means altering a food in some way during preparation. Ultra-processed foods are a bit different, usually altered beyond recognition and with pl...
37m May 03, 2023
37m
420: African Swine Fever - how worried should we be?
African Swine Fever is an incurable disease that is currently spreading between pig populations in Africa, Asia and Europe. It affects domestic pigs and wild boar, and has a mortality rate between 95% and 100%. There is no risk to human health, but the World Organisation for Animal Health says the disease is the biggest threat to commercial pig production the industry has ever seen (https://w...
36m May 02, 2023
36m
419: Turmeric - what does the science say about 'the Golden Goddess'?
There are probably few spices that have been written about as much as turmeric. It is a fantastic thing to behold, the colour alone, a rich yellow or deep orange, makes it stand out from the crowd. Half of the world's turmeric is consumed in India (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/cargill-opens-its-first-innovation-centre-to-india/) where it is often referred to as "the golden goddess". I...
34m Apr 28, 2023
34m
418: Allergen awareness - innovation and building trust
With Allergen Awareness Week in full swing, the Food Matters Live podcast, in partnership with Dutch Spices (https://dutchspices.nl/en_US/page/2851/assortiment/) , is focussing on allergen-free food. Food allergies and intolerances affect millions of people worldwide. In Europe alone, more than 17 million people suffer with them. They may find themselves avoiding eating out, missing meals wit...
18m Apr 26, 2023
18m
417: The rhizosphere - the mysterious world crucial to the future of food
There is a bewildering world beneath our feet that is both teeming with life and crucial to the global food system. It is a narrow, constantly moving, ever evolving, region within the soil known as the rhizosphere and it is vital to the health of crops and the land itself. A healthy rhizosphere is filled with a diverse range of microorganisms (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/biodiversity-...
43m Apr 24, 2023
43m
416: Microplastics - a very small big problem
Microplastics; tiny pieces of plastic usually less than 5mm in length, are a growing concern in the food industry. They come from a variety of sources, and the more research that is done, the more it seems they are making their way into every corner of the globe. Microplastics have been found in our oceans, our farmland, and our woodlands. They are not only polluting the environment, they ar...
26m Apr 21, 2023
26m
414: Does front-of-pack labelling actually work?
How much does front-of-pack information affect the food choices we make? When we shop, many of us have our health in mind, but it can be a challenge to work out which products are genuinely good for us. Nutritional labelling is supposed to help us along the way, but how effective is it? Since the introduction of the traffic light system in the UK, obesity numbers have actually risen (https:/...
47m Apr 19, 2023
47m
415: Deep dive: Potato, could this be the future of plant-based meat?
As more and more of us turn to a plant-based diet, the challenges the sector faces continue to come into sharper focus. One of the biggest, is recreating the appearance, texture, flavour and mouthfeel of meat products. On the Food Matters Live podcast, we have often talked to companies investing heavily in Research and Development to try to address these complex challenges. In this episode, ...
26m Apr 17, 2023
26m
413: Why there's still more to learn about diet and ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. It is estimated that globally, around 5% of children and 3% of adults have it. There is no cure for ADHD, although there are some medications to help manage the condition. There is also growing evidence that nutrition may have a role to play. The question is: How much can what we eat and drink...
32m Apr 14, 2023
32m
412: How strong is the link between processed food and obesity?
Obesity is one of the most visible public health problems right across the world. The World Health Organization (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/the-glimmer-of-hope-in-an-otherwise-damning-who-obesity-report-food-podcasts/) started sounding alarm bells in the 1990s. But despite various interventions by governments, so-called “globesity” has continued its inexorable progress. It is clear ...
41m Apr 12, 2023
41m
411: Following the green - sustainability investment trends for 2023
Over the past few years sustainability (https://foodmatterslive.com/theme/sustainability/) has really come to the fore – becoming an essential aspect of any forward-looking food business. On the Food Matters Live podcast, the topic comes up again and again. Given the scale of the global challenges around climate change and a growing population, it seems inevitable we will be talking about it ...
34m Apr 11, 2023
34m
410: Food as preventative medicine, with Dr Rupy Aujla
Dr Rupy Aujla is an NHS GP who is making waves, linking food and medicine. His story is a remarkable and deeply personal one, which has led him on a journey he never imagined he would embark on. Claims about the medicinal properties of certain foods have been spoken about for years. The use of food as medicine dates back centuries – the Ancient Egyptians, for instance, consumed onions to aid...
38m Apr 06, 2023
38m
411: Passover - telling stories with food
Millions of Jewish families around the world are celebrating Passover with storytelling, wine, and food. If you do not know, Passover is a religious festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. The celebrations are filled with deep meaning and powerful symbolism. The Seder Meal takes centre stage. It has many elements, with each item having its o...
42m Apr 05, 2023
42m
409: A joint approach? Exploring the links between nutrition and arthritis
Arthritis is a debilitating condition which affects millions of people around the world. In the UK alone, there are up to 10 million people living with it (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/) and it affects people of all ages. So, what role can what we eat play in preventing and managing the condition? Spoiler alert - there is no one-size-fits-all miracle diet. But while we can be sur...
34m Apr 03, 2023
34m
408: The secrets behind mankind's fascination with fermentation
Throughout history, where there have been human beings, there has been fermentation (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/is-fermentation-still-the-future-of-food-food-podcasts/) . Human beings have a long-standing fascination with fermented foods, the question is: why? Fermented products are enjoying a huge boom at the moment, Kimchi, Kefir and Kombucha are all on the up. But that is just th...
40m Mar 31, 2023
40m
407: Are we on the cusp of a mushroom renaissance?
Mushrooms (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/growing-mushrooms-trees-feed-millions-alleviate-climate-change-research-shows/) have been eaten since the earliest history; a constant, in cuisines and medicine. So, harnessing their functional properties is nothing new but the mushroom is turning out to be the perfect modern food. Low in calories and carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, cholesterol-f...
45m Mar 29, 2023
45m
406: The spice of life - the surprisingly varied world of ginger flavours
For thousands of years, ginger has been an essential part of many cuisines. It would be hard to think of an ingredient which has quite as distinctive a combination of flavour, aroma and taste. Ginger is a versatile and widely used flavouring in the food and beverage industry, and is used in a range of products, from baked goods and confectionery to drinks, sauces and marinades. Its character...
24m Mar 27, 2023
24m
405: Spotlight: Wageningen University's alt-protein research
When it comes to food research, there are few places playing a bigger role than Wageningen University and Research (https://www.wur.nl/en.htm) . It has been the beating heart of Dutch agricultural innovation (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/creating-a-sustainable-food-system-the-netherlands/) for nearly 150 years, helping the country’s food industry become the envy of the world since openi...
23m Mar 24, 2023
23m
404: Exploring the links between nutrition and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects more than one-in-twenty people worldwide. It occurs in populations all over the planet and it can be debilitating. But what role can food, diet, and nutrition (https://foodmatterslive.com/theme/nutrition/) play in managing IBS flare ups? The causes of IBS are not currently well understood, which makes managing it very difficult for sufferers. There is ...
34m Mar 22, 2023
34m
400: The secrets within - how the potato is reshaping the food industry
Have you ever stopped to consider the huge role the potato plays in the global food industry? This humble root vegetable, native to the Americas, has become a staple around the world. It is at the centre of the food industry and at the heart of many of our diets. But what is really interesting, is that over time the potato has revealed even more of its secrets and is emerging as a perfect sou...
17m Mar 20, 2023
17m
403: Sustainability v the cost of living - is it one or the other?
Does making greener food choices always come with a cost? More specifically, is the cost of living crisis forcing consumers to act less sustainably? There is tons of research out there on how cost effective going green can be, some people say it is cheaper, while others claim it is simply too expensive. And it can be hard to get to the facts, especially when products labelled as eco-friendly...
37m Mar 17, 2023
37m
399: Study: Could whey protein slowdown muscle loss in later life?
Whey protein may conjure up images of gym-goers and competitive athletes, but there is growing evidence that it could benefit many more people. As we see aging populations around the world, attention is increasingly turning to our physical health in later life. As we get older, it becomes more challenging to maintain and build muscle mass, and the effects of that can be devastating. The main...
23m Mar 15, 2023
23m
402: From nutrition to nappies - the truth about diet and fertility
Many aspects of our lives can potentially affect fertility, but there are few we can control. Our environment, stress and sleep are difficult to change, and our genetics are what they are. But diet is one of the factors we can, in theory at least, have some level of control over. So, how can adjustments to our diet help aid fertility? It is certainly a question the supplements industry has ...
52m Mar 13, 2023
52m
401: How influential is the influencer? Nutrition and diet in the social media age
Social media is credited with many things and blamed for many more, but what role does it play in the food choices people make? Online, we are bombarded by images of all kinds and food has taken its place alongside everything else. And, of course, we are trapped in our own social media bubbles - drawn to things because our friends have liked them, or because our favourite influencers have bee...
44m Mar 10, 2023
44m
398: The future of food marketing
Marketing is an integral part of the food industry, helping to set trends, change behaviour, and of course, sell products. It is a hugely interesting part of the food industry, both creative and analytical, and it has to be said, competitive. So, what skills are needed to succeed? What are the biggest challenges? And what will the role of a marketing professional (https://foodmatterslive.com/...
40m Mar 08, 2023
40m
397: Mind over matter? The role of sensory science in our eating experience
The food industry spends an increasing amount of time, energy and money on sensory science. Millions are ploughed into carefully studying and manipulating the taste, smell and texture of food. And not just that, but the sounds that packaging makes, the colours of products and packaging (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/do-labels-and-packaging-really-affect-what-we-taste-food-podcasts/) ; a...
31m Mar 06, 2023
31m
396: How TRIP became one of the world's fastest growing drinks brands
Olivia Ferdi, Co-Founder of TRIP, a brand which produces drinks and oils using cannabidiol (CBD), is nothing if not inspiring. You have more than likely seen the brand advertised or on shop shelves in recent months, and it continues to grow. None of that is by accident, Olivia and her husband and Co-Founder, Daniel Khoury, have worked tirelessly to get the brand out there. She is a former la...
39m Mar 03, 2023
39m
395: What's feeding the future of the nutritionist?
The role of the nutritionist (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/career-conversations-performance-nutritionist-to-elite-athletes-food-podcasts/) is constantly changing, but what might it look like in the future? Over the last few decades, there have been big advances in nutritional science, and technology is transforming the industry too. There is a whole plethora of apps offering personalis...
39m Mar 01, 2023
39m
394: What's the best food industry innovation since sliced bread?
When the bread slicing machine was invented in the 1920s in the US it was initially met with some scepticism by consumers. But it is a huge success story – within five years of that first slicing machine being used in a Missouri bakery it is estimated that 80% of bread sold in the US was pre-sliced. It was so successful that it became the subject of a phrase. Who hasn't heard: 'This is the be...
57m Feb 27, 2023
57m
393: A surprisingly un-British story - the history of fish and chips
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are delving into the history (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcasts/series/the-history-of-food-podcasts/) of one of Britain’s favourite dishes. If you are already smelling salt, vinegar, and tartare sauce, you have guessed right… Fish and Chips is an absolute British classic and a colossal earner for the food industry. 382 million portions ...
49m Feb 24, 2023
49m
392: What is the future of New Product Development?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are gazing into our crystal ball to look at what the future might hold for New Product Development. New Product Development (https://foodmatterslive.com/npd/) , or NPD, is at the heart of what makes the food and drink industry an exciting place to be. As we shift to prioritising sustainable diets, it is crucial to adapting our food systems ...
32m Feb 22, 2023
32m
389: Innovation and tradition - the changing face of dairy
The dairy industry has been a staple of human society for centuries, but in recent years it has begun going through nothing short of a revolution. There have been huge innovations in the types of dairy products available on our shelves, and in the way dairy products are produced. But the story of dairy goes even further than that, and the really big changes have been seen in the emergence and...
22m Feb 21, 2023
22m
390: "Of Ice and Men" - how the cold stuff has shaped our culinary history
The evolutionary success of humankind has relied on a handful of fundamental but often unsung food and drink developments. Featuring on that shortlist are salt (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/salt-reduction-could-nature-hold-the-answer-food-podcasts/) , the domestication of plant species, the flint, the invention of irrigation, the potato, fermentation (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast...
49m Feb 17, 2023
49m
391: Green jobs in a changing world
Food security and the sustainability (https://foodmatterslive.com/theme/sustainability/) of our food supply chains are major global issues. For anyone considering a green job in the food and drink sector, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of the sustainability challenges we face. It is also vital to explore what is being done to overcome those challenges, and the kind of work the n...
39m Feb 15, 2023
39m
388: Aphrodisiacs - is anything really up to the job?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are turning down the lights, turning up the music, and getting out the finest cutlery (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/how-receptacles-and-cutlery-affect-our-enjoyment-of-food-and-drink/) as we talk about the food of love. And specifically, the idea of aphrodisiacs – those foods which, it is claimed, have a love-inducing power on us, whi...
44m Feb 14, 2023
44m
387: Brexit's impact on the food industry in Ireland
The impact of Brexit (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/post-brexit-trade-the-opportunities-and-pitfalls-food-podcasts/) has been huge for the food and drink industry in the UK, but it has also had a profound effect on its nearest neighbour, the Republic of Ireland. In recent decades, the European Union has been beneficial for Ireland. Not just because of frictionless, tariff-free trade, but...
36m Feb 10, 2023
36m
386: What role can nutrition play in the health of your bones?
Fragile bones mean we are more likely to get fractures, but what role can the foods we eat play in helping us to keep our bones strong and healthy? Osteoporotic or fragility fractures affect an awful lot of us, globally one-in-three women and one-in-five men who are older than 50. They can be very serious and severely impair quality of life. We know nutrition (https://foodmatterslive.com/the...
39m Feb 08, 2023
39m
385: How do we get children engaged with nutrition?
It is clear our early years are crucial in shaping the rest of our lives, but when it comes to food, those years can be a roller coaster. The foods that comfort children, the foods they want, the foods they crave (and the foods they are sold), are not always the best things for them. As any parent knows, it can be a nightmare trying to get your children to eat a balanced diet. And, sorry fol...
30m Feb 06, 2023
30m
384: Net Zero emissions by 2045 - is Scotland on track?
Scotland has set itself an ambitious target, to reach net zero emissions of all greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. The Climate Change Act 2019 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2019/15/enacted) commits the country to the target, which is more difficult to achieve than a net-zero carbon target, which commits only to balancing carbon dioxide emissions. So how is Scotland doing in its drive to ...
46m Feb 03, 2023
46m
383: Michelle Berriedale-Johnson - the UK's free-from fighter
We all want to make an impact with the work we do, there can be no doubt that Michelle Berriedale-Johnson (https://foodmatterslive.com/person/michelle-berriedale-johnson/) has achieved just that. She is an expert on food allergies and intolerances (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/how-my-sons-allergies-led-to-an-unexpected-career-in-food-food-podcasts/) , and it would be no underestimation ...
40m Feb 01, 2023
40m
382: Post-Brexit trade - the opportunities and pitfalls
It is three years since the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. One year later, in January 2021, a new post-Brexit trade deal came into force between the UK and the EU. There is no doubt, it has been a bumpy ride for anybody importing or exporting. Gone are many of the old certainties. Instead, we have had what a recent study from the London School of Economics called...
29m Jan 31, 2023
29m
381: Investment trends - where's the smart money heading in the food industry?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast we are following the money, looking ahead and asking where investors will be putting their cash in 2023. It is not necessarily a straightforward question, the world continues to be a complex place. We have had heatwaves (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/the-long-term-impact-of-britains-hottest-summer-food-podcasts/) and floods, inflation (ht...
49m Jan 27, 2023
49m
380: The ingredients for launching a successful coffee brand
Launching and establishing a successful coffee (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/caffeine-culture-how-coffee-shaped-the-world-food-podcasts/) brand is no mean feat. There are plenty of well-established brands already in the market and finding space for a new one presents a whole host of challenges. Will Little, Managing Director of Little's Coffee (https://wearelittles.com/) , puts the suc...
32m Jan 25, 2023
32m
379: Shift work and nutrition - a marriage of inconvenience
Anyone who has worked irregular hours knows that the world is built around daytime eating, not just in the home, but at shops, cafes, restaurants and canteens (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/berlin-university-canteens-cut-down-on-meat-in-bid-to-fight-climate-change/) . But there are millions of us working rotating shifts, nightshifts and irregular hours. And when the shops are shut, and ...
35m Jan 23, 2023
35m
378: Is plant-based always better for you - and the planet?
Plant-based meat alternatives (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/5-plant-based-food-trends-and-innovations-for-2023/) are supposed to be better for the planet and they are supposed to be good for you. But as they have grown in popularity, there are claims from some quarters that there is something of a halo effect at play, and that some of these health and environmental claims do not quite s...
26m Jan 20, 2023
26m
376: How you could help fix the global food system
"We have a growing population, lots of changes in the climate, lots of greenhouse gas emissions which are jeopardising our food production, and we are at risk of not being able to feed the world." Natalia Falagán, Lecturer in Food Science and Technology, Cranfield University (https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/) , succinctly sets out some of the major issues the world is facing, and why students are ...
28m Jan 18, 2023
28m
377: How can we get more fibre into our diets?
When it comes to fibre, the fact is we are not getting enough of it. Across most of the Western world, there is a lack of adequate fibre in our diets and that is contributing to health problems. In the UK, the Government says we are consuming an average of 20 grams per day, but we should be consuming 30 grams. And it is similar around the world. But why is fibre lacking in so many countries,...
34m Jan 16, 2023
34m