Making health food taste great

Food security, sustainability, diet and health—they’re issues that capture headlines globally. In keeping with the rest of the world, Australia faces an increasing number of food-related diseases associated with overconsumption, a sedentary lifestyle and an ageing population. In order to meet this challenge we must produce and manufacture healthier food that is palatable, convenient, affordable and acceptable to consumers. It’s also critical that we understand why consumers request healthier foods—but do not always choose them.

This talk will give an overview of food policies relating to developing a healthier food supply. It will also look at research case studies, demonstrating the newest technologies and approaches that are being conducted by scientists to design healthier food for ageing populations at different life stages. A particular focus will be on designing sensory attributes such as taste and texture to ensure that healthier food tastes great, as well as taking into account why consumers taste the same food differently because of their genes. It will also touch on the barriers facing consumers when it comes to making healthier food choices.

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