J Ralph Blanchfield

Biography

While working in food science/technology roles in industry for 38 years and then as a consultant for a further 35 years, I was one of the founders in 1962 of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) and served it in many capacities, including as Honorary Secretary (1970-75), Vice-President (1976-78) and President (1979 and 1980), Chairman of Member Relations and Services (1992-96), Chairman of External Affairs (1996-2008). While Honorary Secretary I was one of the instigators of, and was principal author of, the Institute's Code of Professional Conduct and the Professional Conduct Guidelines. I was also principal author of their update and extension in 1991. In 1995 I designed, constructed and wrote the multi-Award winning IFST Web site, and continued to act as Webmaster and Web Editor until April 2006.  I was joint Editor and part author of the three earlier editions and Editor of the 4th Edition, of the IFST Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice in the Food & Drink Industries; was joint Editor and part author of the book Food Control in Action; Editor and part author of the first definitive book on Food Labelling (Woodhead Publishing ISBN 1 85573 496 6 and CRC Press ISBN 0-8493-0852-6) and author of numerous published papers relating to aspects of food science & technology, to the philosophy and ethics of its practice, to food legislation and to good manufacturing practice. From 1991 I was also very active in the International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), serving successively on the Finance Committee, the Constitution Advisory Committee, then the Governing Council (2003-2008), and the Scientific Council (2006- August 2012). I have also been an active volunteer for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), including serving as Chair of its British Section (1997-98); Chair of its Committee for Global Interests (2000-2001); and Associate Editor of its International Division Newsletter (2005- 2011).

Research Interest

Food Science & Human Nutrition