Seminar on the Methods and Techniques for Food Testing
SciMed Seminar
Wed 18th June 2025
Join us at this food testing venue to hear presentations on the latest methods, techniques and instruments used for many of the common testing requirements for food and drinks products and ingredients.
Topics will include the below techniques:
- Rheology and Tribology
- Calorimetry
- Thermal Analysis
- TOC, ICP-MS and ICP-OES, AAS
- Elemental analysis
- Supercritical Fluid Extraction
- Polarimetry and Refractometry
- Instruments for Optimisation of blending
Countdown to event
What will I learn at the food testing seminar?
Attending this seminar on methods and techniques for food testing will provide you with valuable insights into advanced food analysis practices. Here’s what you’ll gain on the day:
1. A broad range of Analytical Techniques
Explore the latest methods in food analysis, including advanced technologies for detecting contaminants, verifying authenticity, and ensuring food safety.
Learn about the practical applications of techniques such as spectroscopy, thermal methods, molecular analysis and supercritical CO2 proecessing.
2. Real-World Applications
Gain insights from industry case studies demonstrating how to best address food testing challenges.
Understand how to implement these techniques in your own laboratory or workplace for improved results.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance as well as Research and Development
Discover best practices for staying compliant with global food safety regulations.
Learn how robust testing methods can help you meet industry standards and deliver consistent product quality.
4.Networking and Knowledge Exchange
Connect with like-minded professionals and industry leaders to share insights and experiences.
Participate in interactive sessions designed to enhance your understanding and application of food testing technologies.
5. Tour of the RSSL laboratory facilities.
Join the tour of the RSSL laboratory facilities. Reading Scientific Services Limited, is a leading contract testing facility for the food Industry. A full tour of all the various departments will take place at the end of the seminar day.
This seminar is your opportunity to deepen your knowledge, engage with industry experts, and stay at the forefront of food testing innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to food analysis, you’ll leave equipped with the tools and knowledge to excel.
Register today to secure your place!
Event agenda:
09-30-09:45: Registration / Coffee
09:45-10:00: Welcome and overview of SciMed – Paul Vanden Branden
10:00-10:30: RSSL introduction and overview
10:30-11:00: Food for Thought – The uses and applications for Near Infrared Spectroscopy in the food industry
10:30-11:00: Challenges and solutions in elemental analysis of foods – Jay Fairchild Scientist, Metals Laboratory
Coffee break 15 min
11:45-12:15: Handling Food Samples with Care for Reliable Rheological Results – Kevin Thermo
12:15-13:00: – Supercritical applications in food industry – Ray Marriott
Lunch
13:45-14:15: – Micro-CT in Food Science: Unlocking Insights into Structure, Texture, and Quality – James Spinks (Technical Specialist – 3D Imaging)
14:15-14:45: British Sugar
14:45-15:45: Tour of RSSL facilities
15:45 until end: Discussions and demonstrations
Talk Abstracts
Food for Thought – The uses and applications for Near Infrared Spectroscopy in the food industry
NIR analysers and spectrometers are often seen and used in food quality control and product development laboratories. Advances in technology, portability and miniaturisation now open other opportunities. We can apply this technology with the production area or literally in the field. We will discuss common applications for offline and at-line uses for NIR such as raw material identification, blend uniformity and product release.
Challenges and solutions in elemental analysis of foods – Jay Fairchild Scientist, Metals Laboratory
How we overcome the issues of measuring trace, minor and macro elements in foods from sample prep to analysis
Advanced Propulsion Lab
James Robinson
Dr Rob Sommerville is an Assistant Professor in Minerals Processing at the University of Birmingham. Rob is based in the Schools of Metallurgy & Materials and Chemical Engineering.
His research focuses on the application of physical and chemical processes in the extraction and recycling of strategic elements and critical materials. Prior to his recent promotion to Assistant Professor, Rob has been working on several Li-ion Battery recycling projects, including the ReLiB project, funded by the the Faraday Institution.

SciMed
Paul Vanden Branden - Company Director
Paul studied in France and has a Masters in Physics from the University of Lille as well as an Engineering Degree in Scientific Instrumentation from Polytech School of Engineering.
Paul has been working with the scientific community all his career starting off as an XRF Application Specialist. Over the years he has worked on many laboratory techniques such as ICP-OES, Spark OES , Gas Detection and many others. He joined SciMed in early 2005 as a product manager and eventually became a director of the company.
SCIMED
Dr. Daniel Merryweather
Dan is a microfabrication specialist, having completed postdoctoral associate positions in electochemistry and tissue engineering.
Dan recently joined SciMed as the product manager for electron microscopy and ion beam milling, working with SciMed’s partners in CIQTek, SEC, and Technoorg Linda. Dan has extensive experience in sample preparation for nanoscale imaging and analysis across a wide range of challenging materials using the latest developments in electron microscopy

Location
Event Details
Date: Wed 18th June 2025
Time: 09:30 – 16:00 (UK time)
Cost: Free of charge
Location: Reading Scientific Services Ltd. Reading Science Centre Whiteknights Campus Pepper Lane Reading, Berkshire RG6 6LA, United Kingdom
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Want to attend?
About Scimed
SciMed is a leading supplier of scientific instrumentation in the UK and Ireland, specialising in supplying analytical instrumentation and process equipment from industry-leading manufacturers.
The company has been in operation for 40 years and caters to various industries ranging from academic institutions, large-scale industry and contract testing laboratories to start-ups and SMEs.
SciMed takes pride in helping scientists, engineers and technicians solve their analytical and process challenges, providing effective aftersales care for the lifetime of their customers’ investments.