SciMed Seminar: Advancing Food Testing Techniques

Date: Wednesday 18th June 2025
Time: 09:30 – 16:00 BST
Location: Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), Reading Science Centre, Whiteknights Campus, Pepper Lane, Reading, RG6 6LA
Cost: Free to attend
Includes: Full seminar, laboratory tour, lunch and refreshments

Discover the Future of Food & Beverage Testing

Join SciMed and a panel of industry experts at this free, in-person seminar designed to showcase cutting-edge techniques, instruments and real-world insights shaping the future of food and beverage testing.

Held at the renowned Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), this event will take you deep into the methodologies that ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and innovation in food research and development.

Whether you're in quality control, R&D, or process engineering, this seminar offers the ideal opportunity to expand your technical know-how, network with peers, and see instruments in action.

🔬 What You’ll Learn

✅ A Broad Range of Analytical Techniques
Get to grips with modern methods in contaminant detection, authenticity verification and nutritional analysis. Topics include:

• Rheology & Tribology
• Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry
• ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS & TOC
• XRF and Elemental Analysis
• Supercritical CO₂ Extraction
• Polarimetry, Refractometry & Powder Flow Testing

✅ Real-World Applications
Explore live case studies that demonstrate how these techniques are applied in labs and production environments.

✅ Quality Assurance & Compliance
Learn how these technologies align with UK, EU and international food safety regulations, helping you meet industry standards.

✅ Knowledge Sharing & Networking
Engage with experts, participate in interactive discussions and connect with fellow professionals throughout the day.

✅ Behind-the-Scenes Lab Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of RSSL’s laboratories—a premier contract testing facility supporting the UK food industry.

🗓️ Event Agenda

09:30 – 09:45 | Registration & Coffee
09:45 – 10:00 | Welcome & SciMed Overview – Paul Vanden Branden, SciMed
10:00 – 10:20 | RSSL Introduction & Overview
10:20 – 10:50 | “Food for Thought: NIR in the Food Industry” – Darren Machen, SciMed
10:50 – 11:20 | “Elemental Analysis of Foods” – Jay Fairchild, RSSL
11:20 – 11:45 | Coffee Break
11:45 – 12:15 | “EDXRF in Agriculture” – Dr Tom Knott, SciMed
12:15 – 12:45 | “Rheological Toolbox for Understanding Food” – Kevin Barber, Thermo Fisher Scientific
12:45 – 13:15 | “Supercritical Fluids in the Food Industry” – Dr Rob McElroy, University of Lincoln
13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 – 14:30 | “Thermal Analysis in Food Characterisation” – Dr David Dale, SciMed
14:30 – 15:00 | “Powder Flow Testing: Latest Developments” – Paul Vanden Branden, SciMed
15:00 – 15:30 | “Optical Food Testing with Schmidt & Haensch” – Bronwen Steadman, SciMed
15:30 – 16:00 | Tour of RSSL Facilities
16:00 Onwards | Networking, Q&A and Live Demonstrations

🎙️ Meet the Speakers

Paul Vanden Branden – Director, SciMed
Dr Tom Knott – Product Manager, SciMed
Kevin Barber – Thermo Fisher Scientific
David Dale – Product Manager, SciMed
Bronwen Steadman – Product Manager, SciMed
Jay Fairchild – Scientist, RSSL
Dr Rob McElroy – University of Lincoln
Darren Machen – Product Manager, SciMed

📍 Venue & Directions

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL)
Reading Science Centre, Whiteknights Campus
Pepper Lane, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6LA, United Kingdom

Ample parking is available. A detailed map and travel guide will be emailed to all registrants closer to the event date.

🎯 Who Should Attend?

This seminar is ideal for:

• Food Technologists
• Laboratory Managers
• Quality Control & Assurance Professionals
• Process Engineers
• R&D Scientists
• Regulatory Affairs Experts

Whether you're part of a multinational food brand or an independent lab, you'll gain insights you can act on immediately.

💡 Why Attend?

This is more than a seminar—it's your chance to future-proof your food testing strategies. With a blend of science, technology and practical insights, this event delivers real value to those shaping the future of food safety and innovation.

Secure your place today – spaces are limited.
Register now and be part of the conversation that’s driving progress in food testing.