IFR Celebrates its Heroes of Food Research

The Institute of Food Research (IFR) recently celebrated its Heroes of Food Research –the volunteer participants in its dietary studies.

Help from members of the public is vital to research that is getting the very best evidence of the links between the food we eat and how it affects our health.

During February IFR hosted an exhibition at The Forum, Norwich, where over 300 visitors were able to try some of the foods used in IFR studies, from Beneforté broccoli soups, to blood orange juice, even sweets designed to help collect saliva. In the evening a series of talks detailed the results of its broccoli research, as well as how food trials are designed and carry out, both professionally and ethically.

The IFR is also interested in finding out what motivates people to take part in studies, or what might put them off;  they are still collecting views if you would like to share your opinion, with information helping to refine future study plans.

“The Heroes of Food Research Event attracted a lot of interest from a large number of people who visited the display and engaged in discussions with myself and other members of the team from IFR,” said Dr Paul Kroon. “I was very impressed with how well informed many of our visitors were about the vital role volunteers play in the important research we do, and delighted that so many people who were keen to become new Heroes of Food Research by signing up to our volunteers database.”

Resources and information from the IFR’s Heroes of Food Research Exhibition are available online at www.ifr.ac.uk/volunteer.