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About CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

CSIRO's core areas of impact

Contact Enquiries: Phone - 1300 363 400 | Email - Enquiries@csiro.au | Contact Us

Overview

 
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Two scientists look at cultures on a petri dish
Food industry viability and sustainability, food security and the prevention and diet and lifestyle related diseases are issues our research is addressing.

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences conducts food and nutrition research to support the health and wellbeing of the Australian community and the sustainability and viability of the Australian food industry.

CSIRO established the Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences on 1 July 2009 in a new research collaboration with the Victorian Government.

The new Division maintains the full food and nutrition research capability and research portfolio that was operated by Food Science Australia (FSA), a joint venture of CSIRO and the Victorian Government, and CSIRO Human Nutrition.

Like our predecessors Food Science Australia and CSIRO Human Nutrition, we apply our unique combination of food and nutrition research capability with our partners throughout CSIRO, Universities, Federal and State Governments, and the Food and Health Industries.

We assist in every stage of the food processing business system, from concept through formulation and processing, pilot production, packaging, shelf-life assessment and scale-up to full production.

Consumer and market access research

Consumer and market access research includes:

  • conducting sensory perception and consumer preference assessments
  • assessing risk and product compliance of product claim, and chemical and microbiological contamination
  • assessing nutritional properties of food ingredients and products
  • providing advice on market entry and regulatory matters.

Nutrition and healthy foods

Our research into nutrition and healthy foods includes:

  • food science to promote health and vitality
  • substantiation of product health claims
  • benefits of integrated diet-lifestyle programs
  • effects of functional and other foods to treat obesity-related diseases.

Product delivery

Product delivery capabilities include:

  • performing storage and shelf-life tests
  • developing HACCP-based food safety plans.

Production and assembly

Ingredient production and product assembly capabilities include:

  • separating and purifying proteins, polysaccharides, flavours and bioactives
  • optimising processing techniques, including:
    • non-thermal processing
    • extrusion
    • dehydration
    • fermentation
    • freezing
  • trialling products and processes
  • providing advice on government policies and standards
  • assessing raw materials, ingredients and end-products for:
    • quality
    • suitability
    • microbiological and chemical safety.

Facilities

Facilities at CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences include:

  • non-thermal food processing equipment including the only 35 litre pressure-assisted thermal sterilisation unit in the southern hemisphere
  • pilot-scale manufacturing systems
  • sensory analysis units
  • modern instrumentation for physical, microbiological and chemical evaluation of food
  • FRR Culture Collection – the most comprehensive collection of xerophilic fungi in the world.

Learn more about the work CSIRO does in Food.

 
 

Fast facts

  • CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences assists the food industry
  • It has expertise from concept through to formulation and processing, pilot production, packaging, shelf life assessment and scale-up to full production

Contact Information

Primary Contact

CSIRO Enquiries
Phone: 1300 363 400*
Alt Phone: 61 3 9545 2176 
Fax: 61 3 9545 2175 
*local call within Australia

Secondary Contact

Mr John Smith
Communication Manager
CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences
Phone: 61 8 8303 8857 
Fax: 61 8 8303 8837 

Locations

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences - North Ryde
Riverside Corporate Park
11 Julius Avenue
North Ryde NSW 2113
Australia

PO Box 52
North Ryde NSW 1670
Australia

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences - Werribee
671 Sneydes Road
Werribee VIC 3030
Australia

Private Bag 16
Werribee VIC 3030
Australia

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences - Cannon Hill
Corner of Creek and Wynnum Roads
Cannon Hill QLD 4170
Australia

PO Box 3312
Tingalpa QLD 4173
Australia

CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences - Adelaide
Kintore Ave
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia

PO Box 10041
Adelaide BC SA 5000
Australia