Online course

Trust in Our Food: Understanding Food Supply Systems

How much do you trust your food? Learn about food supply systems, safety, sustainability and nutrition and quality.

Trust in Our Food: Understanding Food Supply Systems

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Overview
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  • Duration 4 weeks
  • Weekly study 3 hours
  • Learn Free
  • Extra benefits From $44 Find out more

Explore how your food reaches you

How does your food reach your plate? Can you trust your food? Find out with this online course that will help you understand global food supply systems.

You’ll explore the challenges and responsibilities of different people in the food system, including the role of the consumer. You will assess the information available to consumers relating to issues of food safety, nutrition and quality, sustainability of production methods and how these affect consumer trust. You’ll leave the course knowing more about where your food comes from and how you can make a difference in the food supply chain.

This activity has received funding from EIT Food, the innovation community on Food of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

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What topics will you cover?

  • The global food supply system and the general principles behind food production and consumption
  • Factors that influence consumer trust and the information sources available
  • Case study examples that explore key consumer concerns; Food safety, Nutrition and quality of our food and Sustainable and ethical food production
  • Consideration of the role of the consumer and engagement with innovation in the food sector

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Describe the complexity of the global food system and the issues that affect consumer trust in food
  • Explain the key factors involved in food safety
  • Critically evaluate different sources of nutritional information
  • Explore the different food labels that provide assurances to consumers
  • Reflect on the role of the consumer in influencing the food supply system

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in learning about where their food comes from.

Who will you learn with?

Alice Mauchline

Alice Mauchline

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the School of
Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading.
My research focuses on sustainable agriculture and enhancing fieldwork learning.

Luca Cocolin

Luca Cocolin

I’m a professor in food microbiology at the University of Torino, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences. My research focuses on food safety and microbial ecology of fermented foods.

Joanna Kaniewska

Joanna Kaniewska

I am a Senior Manager at the European Food Information Council. Creating science-based content on nutrition and health whilst leading communication activities for EU research projects.

Who developed the course?

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, with the aim to create a sustainable and future-proof food sector.

The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.

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