Food Security & Safety
136
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Food supply
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Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
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Society and community
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Sustainability
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Transport and infrastructure
•
Information and communication
technology (ICT)
Consumer purchasing patterns, globalised product supply chains, retail marketing
management and economic governance of food systems strongly determine food
availability and choice in determining healthy lifestyles. Our research examines the ‘human
story’ behind food security and safety, addressing issues such as ‘hidden hunger’ and
healthy diets through biofortification and functional foods. These novel solutions, based
on scientific breakthroughs and development, will be integral to the improvement of both
human health and livestock welfare. We also investigate the influence that biofuel
production may have on global food markets.
3.
Market responses
Keywords
Traceability solution, waste reduction, quality and safety
assessment, manufacturing and logistics optimisation,
retailing innovation in food supply chains
Expertise
The food sector is a global market and the route from
farm to fork is often long and complex. The efficiency (and
vulnerabilities) of global food supply chains and logistics
can have a major impact on food distribution and prices.
The University has a team of researchers exploring the
complex interactions in supply chain, logistics and
operations management in the food industry.
We are examining innovation in global maritime logistics
and analysing resilient supply networks for mass
customised manufacturing. We also research how to
optimise and design supply chains for SMEs and the
processes of collaborative business innovation.
In the food sector, we have well-established experience
in studying supply chain optimisation, eco-logistic and
food supply chain innovation through innovative tracking
solutions, dynamic planning and pricing approaches for
food quality and safety assurance and waste reduction.
Our partners, which include Sainsbury’s, Peel Port
Liverpool and Food Northwest, are interested in
developing sustainable logistics and innovation in food
supply and retailing operations.
Capabilities and facilities
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Optimisation techniques and simulations to test
efficiency, resilience and sustainability of food
supply chains
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Tracking solutions using RFID, barcoding and
other sensor systems
•
Dynamic planning and pricing approaches to
food supply and retailing
•
Development of tools to assess the carbon
footprint of supply chains and identify best
ecological solutions.
3.1
Globalisation and product supply chains