Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies (NSAFSS)

The NSAFSS Group is the home for two main research strands:

• Nutritional Sciences led by Professor Nicola Lowe

Undertaking internationally based research in the areas of micronutrient deficiencies (Hidden Hunger), dietary recommendations, and relationships between diet and health. We strive to achieve equitable partnerships with our international partners, and have strong collaborative research links in Pakistan, through our externally funded research programmes. We support MSc and PhD research degrees.

• Applied Food Safety Studies led by Professor Carol Wallace

Applied research and consultancy at the leading edge of supply chain food safety. Areas of research interest include food safety culture, food safety management systems/HACCP effectiveness, food security, food fraud and integrity, allergen risk management, and causes of food outbreaks and incidents. This includes the perspectives of consumers, food supply chain stakeholders such as auditors, private standards owners, regulators and food businesses, from larger multinational manufacturers through to small food producers and caterers.

Our research has informed international policy and practice regarding food safety management, dietary micronutrient recommendations and management of malnutrition.

For example:

• Research Partnerships to address hidden hunger in Pakistan

We publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed international journals and have authored and edited a number of widely acclaimed books. (See CLoK for NSAFSS member publications)

• PhD and Masters by Research Opportunities available – we welcome proposals that fit with our research strands
• MSc Food Safety Management (eLearning)
• MSc Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
• BSc Nutrition and Exercise Sciences

• Professor Nicola Lowe
• Professor Carol Wallace
• Dr Stephanie Dillon
• Dr Bojlul Bahar
• Dr Jan Mei Soon
• Dr Katherine Markwell
• Dr Jonathan Sinclair
• Dr Swarnim Gupta
• Dr Sophie Wu
• Dr Marena Ceballos Rasgado
• Fiona Willingham 
• Rachel Hammond
• Professor Fiona Dykes (Emeritus)
• Dr Victoria Hall Moran
• Professor Mick McKeown
• Dr April Melia

Research Student Members

• Anna Brazier
• Gurjit Shergill
• Ijeoma Ukonu

• The National Obesity Observatory
• Zinc-UK group
• IUFoST
• GCRF Funding
• C4Globe

• C4Globe
• Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture (MAINN) Unit
• Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance
• Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
• Centre for Business, Management and Enterprise

Our research focuses on real world impact for advancing and enhancing the health of individuals and families and the safety and security of food supplies. Examples of our research projects in nutritional sciences and applied food safety studies include: .

• BiZiFED: A randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of biofortified wheat as a strategy to reduce zinc deficiency in Pakistan
• GCRF-funded case studies
• Using biofortified wheat to combat malnutrition in Pakistan
• Preventing foodborne disease in babies and young children in Pakistan (2019)
• Tackling icy challenges for safe food and drink production in Indonesia (2019-20).
• Consumer self-reported practices/behaviour pertaining to food safety and dietary diversity aspects of food and nutrition security in Mauritius (2020-21)

• UCLan-Cultivate food safety culture for business performance
• Assessment and improvement of the food safety management, culture and climate in micro and small enterprises in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
• Achieving sustainable food security in times of economic recession in South-Eastern Nigeria
• The role of micronutrients in disease prevention (cancer and cardiovascular disease) led by Dr Stephanie Dillon
• Links with research projects within the Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit (MAINN)