About us
The Food Group is one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's many Interest Groups. The Interest Groups are member driven groups which exist to benefit Royal Society of Chemistry members, and the wider chemical science community, in line with the Royal Society of Chemistry's strategy and charter.
Our aims
The aims of the food group are to promote the role of chemistry in food and enable transfer and sharing of information and networking between academia and the food industry. This includes analytical, biochemical, chemical, physical, nutritional and toxicological aspects of food and food ingredients and the composition and relationships between structure and functionality throughout the entire food chain in a way to enhance sustainability and food and nutrition security. We also aim to:
- foster an awareness of the importance of chemistry in the food chain
- encourage interactions between scientists and technologists engaged in food research and development
- help transfer such scientific research from ideas to applications
Get Involved
We are always looking for new members who are keen to get involved. You can
- help organise our activities
- attend our events
- nominate relevant colleagues and students for prizes
- connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@RSC_FoodGroup)
If you would like to find out more please contact the Secretary using the form below.
Bursaries for attending food chemistry related scientific meetings
These are available to contribute towards registration, travel and accommodation costs. The meeting does not have to be RSC-organised or UK-based, but it should be noted that there is no guarantee to fund total costs.
Applications can be made at any time throughout the year but must be made at least one month prior to the meeting. Bursaries will not be provided for retrospective applications.
Read our guidance on eligibility, the application and selection process
How to Join
RSC members can join the Food Group by updating their details in the “My communities and subscriptions” tab of the online RSC membership area.
Awards and prizes
We award two medals: the Early Career Medal (previously Junior Medal) and the Open Medal (previously Senior Medal). Both are awarded biennially, in alternate years. The next call for medal proposals will be for the 2024 Open Medal.
These awards aim to encourage and recognise excellence in the application of chemical sciences to food from those in academia, in industry, consultancy or governmental roles.
Annually we run the RSC Food Group prize at the Nursten symposium which is specifically dedicated to postgraduate students in the area of food and flavour science in the UK.
On an ad hoc basis, we run poster competitions. The last poster competition was for schools. Find out more.
Quick links
Forthcoming events
Forthcoming events organised by the Food Group.
Contact the Secretary
For further information on the Food Group you can contact the Secretary, Mr Alan Cross MRSC.
Support for interest groups
Useful information and resources for all RSC interest groups.
Useful information to download
See all downloadsDownload this PowerPoint presentation to find out more about the Food Group vision and mission:
RSC Food Group school contest winning posters:
RSC Food Group school poster competition winner 2023 - The Chemistry of Good Chocolate
RSC Food Group school Contest 2022 winner- Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (Phoebe Allan Moore)
RSC Food Group school Contest 2022- Chemistry is Served
Other documents:
RSC Food Group Newsletter 2021
IYPT 2019 - Food Periodic Table
Naturals in Foods Part 1, April 2019
Naturals in Foods Part 2, June 2019
The document below covers 35 years from 1973 to 2008 and provides a historical record of the Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers of the Group, meetings organised, publications and winners of Food Group Medals:
Relevant publications
Check out the latest Saltmarsh’s Essential Guide to Food Additives: Edition 5
Committee
Chair
Professor Jane Parker MRSC
Treasurer
Professor Wendy Russell MRSC
Secretary
Mr A Cross BSc MRSC
Alan Cross is a chemist at Reading Scientific Services Ltd, specialising in the analysis of metals in food and pharmaceuticals. He has also worked in the fields of catalysis and environmental monitoring.
Contact the secretary