Food sciences

The School of Science at RMIT leads the way in education, research and industry engagement across all areas of food science.

Our academics and researchers have diverse capabilities in food processing, product development, food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, food biosciences, packaging design and more, enabling them to tackle the current and future challenges of the food industry.

We are renowned for our technical expertise and understanding of the commercial realities and needs of different industry sectors. We partner with industry leaders and work collaboratively with experts from other disciplines to improve methods of production and increase the nutritional value of food.

RMIT boasts a multimillion dollar Food Innovation and Research Centre, enabling our experts to collaborate with business leaders in the food industry to tackle complex problems.

This world-class facility helps large and small Australian businesses to develop and market innovative, high value products for the global marketplace.

Importantly, the centre provides teaching and research training with the latest technologies, as well as hands-on experience in product development, food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and industry placements.
Specialised laboratories and facilities include the following:

  • food pilot plant
  • product development laboratory
  • computerised sensory and consumer testing suite
  • food and nutrition research laboratory
  • food analysis and characterisation laboratory microbiology laboratory
  • temperature controlled rooms
  • dry goods storage
  • dry and wet preparation areas

RMIT is the top provider of high-quality work-ready food technologists in Australia and our research capability is world standard (Excellence in Research Australia 2018).

Our Centre brings together multidisciplinary research and development capabilities in all areas related to the post-farm gate food value-chain, to stimulate innovation and fill the gaps that are critical to the future success of the Australian food Industry.

We offer a full range of services for industry that include the following:

  • idea generation and product innovation
  • optimisation of formulations for cost, quality and ingredient functionality
  • design of novel value-added, health-enhancing products
  • delivery of concepts, mock-ups and prototypes
  • shelf-life testing
  • sensory evaluation and consumer testing
  • packaging design and testing
  • food safety and HACCP
  • workplace occupation health and safety
  • information and communication technologies

We have a broad industry network and longstanding links with leading research organisations around the world, including:

  • Bega Cheese and Tatura Milk Industries
  • Coca Cola
  • Fibrisol
  • Joe White Malting Pty Ltd
  • Lion Dairy & Drinks
  • Maggie Beer
  • Mandurah Australia PTY Ltd
  • Manildra Meat Company
  • Mars
  • Mondelèz International (formerly Kraft Foods)
  • Murray Goulburn
  • Nestle
  • Nuchev
  • Proportional Foods
  • Sanitarium
  • Simplot
  • Uncle Bens
  • Unilever
2016-05-FOOD-PROCESSING-LAB-109.jpg

Contact

For more information about our research capabilities or to discuss collaboration opportunities, please get in touch with Professor Harsharn Gill, Food and Health Biosciences.

Phone: +61 3 9925 2600
Email: harsharn.gill@rmit.edu.au

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.