At the same time, simple methods of food preservation and safety have been adapted to limited-resource conditions. Very simple and economical fruit and vegetable juice pasteurizing equipment has been developed in the department. It has been field-tested in several countries. A prototype production facility at UofA is one of the best in the country. It is regularly used to test innovative processing approaches that can be adapted to specialized fruit and vegetable products.
Excellent linkages exist with the food processing industry in the U.S. and abroad.
The Food Science Department is ranked among the top 10 programs in the country in terms of professional staff, research productivity, and innovations in teaching and extension. The majority of the department's research is in the pre-commercial development of basic procedures that individual food companies can use on a large scale. It is one of few departments in the country that develops prototype processes and facilities. The department provides undergraduate and graduate Master's and Doctoral degree programs. Students are prepared for teaching and research positions within food science and technology, and to serve as technical managers, particularly for the value-added food industry.