How is Food Made? Understanding Processed Food
Have you ever wondered how your food is processed before it reaches your plate? Find out with this online course.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
How is Food Made? Understanding Processed Food
Learn more about processing technologies and the foods that are affected
Food processing isn’t a new concept, however, many people might not understand how and why it happens. On this course, you will improve your knowledge of food processing and build confidence in the processed foods on the market.
You will cover the history of food processing, from its origins to current modern industrial processes. You will explore the advantages and disadvantages of food processing technologies and understand their impact on health, safety, quality, and sustainability. Upon competing this course, you will feel empowered to make more informed decisions about the food you eat.
What topics will you cover?
- The history of food processing – why it emerged and why it is important
- Examples of the major traditional and more advanced food processing technologies and the products they affect
- Consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of specific food processing technologies, their impact on health, safety, quality and sustainability
- How EU law keeps the consumer safe and healthy and food on the supermarket shelves
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the principles of food processing and gain an understanding of both traditional and modern industrial techniques
- Justify the importance of food processing to society in terms of health, safety, quality and sustainability
- Engage with the debate on how beneficial certain processing techniques are to human health
- Evaluate EU law and regulations
- Reflect on the challenges of feeding growing populations safely and sustainably
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in learning more about the food they eat.
Who will you learn with?
I am a reserach associate at DIL e.V. focusing my work on alternative processing technologies and their effect on the stability and bioaccessibility of naturally present health-beneficial components.
I am Professor of Food Science at the University of Reading and contribute to FutureLearn as an educator.
I am a manager at EUFIC. I am involved in a wide variety of research projects examining consumer insights and behaviour on topics related to food, nutrition, food technology and sustainability.
Who developed the course?
EIT Food
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.
DIL
DIL is a research institute working in food tech, analytics, sustainability and food data. DIL forms a bridge between science and practice and supports its partners in the innovation process.
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial skills in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.
Endorsers and supporters
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Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
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