The ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre Food and Drink Research Unit is at the forefront of its field with expertise in food and drink industry focused research, consumer food safety research in the domestic setting and food safety related healthcare research. The Unit has its roots in over twenty years of multidisciplinary research activity from leading researchers and it regularly takes part in national and international collaborations.
The Food and Drink Research Unit annually present their research at the major international food safety conferences: the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and the IAFP’s European Symposium on Food Safety. Additionally, as members of the UK Association for Food Protection (UKAFP), members of the research team organise and host the UKAFP Conference each year.
For more information about the ZERO2FIVE Food and Drink Research Unit and to view its latest publications, conference contributions and news, visit Cardiff Metropolitan University Research Explorer.
The Research Unit team
Food and drink industry focused research
Given the links that ZERO2FIVE has with the food industry in Wales, the research group frequently conducts research projects with Welsh food and drink manufacturing and processing businesses in relation to different areas of food safety. Recent and current projects have focused on: identifying the barriers to obtaining and maintaining food safety scheme compliance; waste reduction; the application of lean manufacturing principles; industry experiences relating to food-product reformulation and assessing food handler compliance with hand hygiene protocols.
Consumer food safety research in the domestic setting
The research group has a long history of conducting consumer food safety research and are internationally recognised for contributions to this area. This is in part due to the innovative research facilities based within ZERO2FIVE, such as the consumer research kitchen, which allows for unobtrusive digital observation of food safety behaviour. Observational projects have focused on older adults’ domestic food handling and storage practices associated with the risk of listeriosis; the cognitive risk factors associated with listeria monocytogenes among pregnant women; and the attitudes and behaviours of caregivers in the preparation and storage of powdered infant formula.
Food safety related healthcare research
The research group is interested in the training and education of consumers, food handlers and healthcare professionals. Psychological theories have been used to develop and deliver targeted training and education interventions.
Healthcare focused food safety related research activity incorporates the food safety training of healthcare professionals such as dietitians, the provision of food safety information for patients and family caregivers in healthcare settings and the safe food production and service of food in UK hospitals.
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