Consumer safety has become a central issue of the food supply system in most countries. It encompasses a large number of interacting scientific and technological rnatters, such as agricultural practice, microbiology, chemistry, food technology, processing, handling and packaging. The techniques used in understanding and controlling contaminants and toxicity range from the most sophisticated scientific laboratory methods, through industrial engineering science to simple logical rules implemented in the kitchen. The problems of food safety, however, spread far beyond those directly occupied in food production. Public interest and concern has become acute in recent years, alerting a wide spectrum of specialists in research, education and public affairs. This series aims to present timeIy volumes covering all aspects of the subject. They will be up-to-date, specialist reviews written by acknowledged experts in their fieIds of research to express each author's own viewpoint. The readership is intended to be wide and international, and the style to be comprehensible to non specialists, albeit professionals. The series will be of interest to food scientists and technologists working in industry, universities, polytechnics and government institutes; legislators and regulators concerned with the food supply; and specialists in agriculture, engineer ing, health care and consumer affairs.

The growing attention for healthy eating, intestinal health, combating major disorders such as obesity and diabetes and prevention of cardio-vascular diseases and cancer, has resulted in an increased output of R&D on dietary fibre and related carbohydrates. In recent years, hundreds of new products have been launched annually with claims regarding their fibre content. Existing and new fibres are also increasingly incorporated in products for specific target groups, such as babies, farm animals, pets and for clinical nutrition. New research tools and insights are enabling researchers to obtain a much better insight in the mechanisms of action of bio-active carbohydrates. These include new analytical methods, model systems to measure the impact of fibre on processes in the gastro-intestinal tract and the identification and measurement of new biomarkers, for example markers related to satiety. These insights and tools, will significantly contribute to R&D on ingredients and products aiming at imparting significant health benefits. In this book invited expert scientists of leading research groups all over the world will address the following issues: Definitions, health claims and new challenges, Analytical tools, technological aspects and applications, Health Benefits of dietary fibre, including both authoritative generic reviews and papers describing the impact on health of specific types of fibre and Health aspects for target groups, with broad overviews on issues related to dietary fibre in clinical nutrition and in food for pets. Dietary fibre: bio-active carbohydrates for food and feed will therefore cover the most up-to-date research available on dietary fibre and will be an indispensable tool for all scientists involved in research and development in this field.

An easy-to-use book with questions on clinical nutrition clearly posed and answers based on real-life studies, this is a ready reference for the busy healthcare professional. Clinical Nutrition in Practice opens with introductory chapters on the basis of healthy nutrition, malnutrition and nutritional assessment. These are followed by chapters addressing the nutritional needs of patients with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid and neurologic disorders, as well as diseases of various organ systems, such as the GI tract, renal and pulmonary systems. Special attention is given to describing nutrition in cancer patients and those with HIV/AIDS and the book concludes with a discussion of enteral and parenteral nutrition. Nutritionists, dietitians and other health professionals working with patients with impaired nutrition or special nutritional requirements, such as diabetologists, endocrinologists (especially those treating obesity), cardiologists and oncologists will find this a refreshing approach to an important subject. Nurses, medical students and those working in the food industry will also find this a handy guide. Easy-to-follow style with questions clearly posed and answers based on real-life case studies Outlines the basics of healthy nutrition, malnutrition and nutritional assessment Detailed consideration of the nutritional needs of patients with a variety of chronic diseases, e.g. cardiovascular or rheumatoid disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS Uses an interesting contemporary approach that health professionals will find a refreshing change

Dietary fibre technology is a sophisticated component of the food industry. This highly practical book presents the state-of-the-art and explains how the background science translates into commercial reality. An international team of experts has been assembled to offer both a global perspective and the nuts and bolts information relevant to those working in the commercial world. Coverage includes specific dietary fibre components (with overviews of chemistry, analysis and regulatory aspects of all key dietary fibres); measurement of dietary fibre and dietary fibre components (in-vitro and in-vivo); general aspects (eg chemical and physical nature; rheology and functionality; nutrition and health; and technological) and current hot topics. Ideal as an up-to-date overview of the field for food technologists; nutritionists and quality assurance and production managers.

Diet and Health examines the many complex issues concerning diet and its role in increasing or decreasing the risk of chronic disease. It proposes dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of the major diseases and causes of death today: atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including heart attack and stroke), cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, and dental caries.

Twenty years ago the very idea of an international conference on the fiber contained in plant food would have been totally inconceivable. At that time fiber was generally viewed as an inert component of food of no nutritional value and consequently consid ered as a contaminant, the removal of which would enhance the purity of a product. It was measured by a now obsolete and almost worthless test introduced in the last century for veterinary rather than human nutrition, and what was measured was referred to as "crude fiber," containing part of the cellulose and lignin but none of the numerous components of fiber now known to play important roles in the maintenance of health. There were a few lone voices prior to the last two decades who had extolled the laxative properties of the undigested portion of food, assuming that these were related to its irritant action on the bowel mucosa. In retrospect this was a total misconception, and "softage" would have been a more appropriate term than "roughage," since its presence insured soft, not irritating, colon content.

Increasing fiber consumption can address, and even reverse the progression of pre-diabetes and other associated non-communicable diseases. Understanding the link between plant dietary fiber and gut health is a small step in reducing the heavy economic burden of metabolic disease risks for public health. This book provides an overview of the occurence, significance and factors affecting dietary fiber in plant foods in order to critically evaluate them with particular emphasis on evidence for their beneficial health effects.