Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryIndustry / policy report

Food Processing and Nutrient Retention Report

IFST

2022

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

Published by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) in 2022, this report provides a review of the evidence on how food processing affects nutrient content in foods. It synthesises existing literature on nutrient losses and retention across processing methods such as canning, freezing, cooking, and fortification, offering guidance relevant to industry, policymakers, and consumers. As an IFST publication, it represents an authoritative summary of current scientific understanding rather than primary research.

UK applicability

IFST is a UK-based professional body, and this report is likely framed with reference to UK and European food processing standards, regulatory context, and dietary patterns, making it directly applicable to UK food industry practice and public health communication.

Key measures

Nutrient retention rates (% loss/retention); vitamin and mineral content pre- and post-processing; processing method comparisons

Outcomes reported

The report examined how various food processing techniques affect the retention of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients across different food categories. It likely assessed losses attributable to heat, oxidation, water, and mechanical processing at industrial and domestic scales.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Food processing & nutrient quality
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Industry/policy report
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Food supply chain
Catalogue ID
XL0966

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.