At first glance, the food science research landscape in 2025 looks reassuringly familiar. Gut health, functional foods, plant-based ingredients, sustainability, and food safety all remain prominent within the Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA) database. But a closer look at the data reveals something more interesting: the centre of gravity is shifting.
Rather than expanding outward into ever more topics, food science is increasingly digging inward, re-examining established areas with greater biological realism, methodological sophistication, and translational intent. The result is a field that is less reductionist, more systems-oriented, and increasingly shaped by questions of interaction, context, and application.
This Year in Review analysis draws on descriptor trends from 2024 and 2025 to explore how food science is evolving and what those shifts mean for researchers working at the intersection of food, health, and technology.
Whether you’re a food scientist, product developer, or just interested in food innovation, join us as we delve into these findings, highlighting the significant research that is influencing advancements in the food sector. Simply complete the form to the right to get your copy.
Why not catch up on the 2024 Annual Review: The Research Trends Shaping the Future of Food
