NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE

An informative and whimsical overview demystifies the science behind the food we eat. A brief history of food science extols the benefits of government regulation of the food industry stemming from Sinclair’s The Jungle. An examination of food safety procedures outlines the ways in which microorganisms can help and harm, as well as how to lower the risk of contamination. At a test lab, chemists demonstrate how to determine a food’s calorie count using a bomb calorimeter (and teens show how to build a home version and crunch the numbers). Finally, a tour of various food factories, including the Jelly Belly and Ben & Jerry’s plants, illustrate both large- and small-scale mass-production techniques. Grades 7–12. Color and black-and-white. 56 minutes. Discovery School. ©2006.

Teacher’s guide

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