News

RiFood featured on RTHK TV programme "Hong Kong Connection"

Dr Kevin Kwok Wing-hin, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, was featured on RTHK TV programme “Hong Kong Connection” on 2 June to explain why plant-based meat is essential for the future and how these food is made. Dr Kwok also introduced the research on plant-based meat at RiFood and explained what “cultured meat” is. Watch now: https://polyu.me/3akQPIu (1:30 - 16:52)

Our study reveals Bifidobacteria almost non-existent in cesarean-born Chinese babies

A research by Dr Jiachi CHIOU, Associate Director of RiFood has revealed that Bifidobacteria, a probiotic, was nearly non-existent in the gut of babies born by cesarean section (C-section). Bifidobacteria is viewed as an essential probiotic for proper immune development and good gut health among infants which protects the neonates from various intestinal and immunity disorders. Dr Chiou and her research team examined 70 fecal samples of newborn babies after their first 2 weeks of life for the study. They found that the Bifidobacterium species almost did not exist in samples from C-section babies. In comparison, 37 fecal samples from vaginally birthed, breastfed babies had the necessary probiotic levels. While previous study suggested that Bifidobacteria could be detected from the breastmilk, and hence breastfeeding may help to supplement the beneficial bacteria in the baby’s gut microbiota. Dr. Chiou also said 38% of births in Hong Kong are C-section deliveries, so it is crucial to understand the special nutrition needs of C-section babies. (Oriental Daily News A11, am730 A06, Sky Post P14, Wen Wei Po A10) * This newborn babies study was commissioned by Danone Nutricia. Online coverage : i-Cable - https://polyu.me/379mk6M Oriental Daily News- https://polyu.me/3tVL771 Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/38jWkWP am730 - https://polyu.me/3tSp3u6 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3tWpHqA Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3DBeGy8 HK01 - https://polyu.me/376n0JK Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3iVh09s

海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓 2022

[Chinese only] #支持本地漁農【海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓2022】 第二屆「海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓」即將招生啦！ 香港理工大學未來食品研究院在漁業持續發展基金嘅資助下，利用署方喺東龍洲嘅現代化海產養殖示範場進行海產養殖現代化同可持續發展計劃，為各位有意從事本地海產養殖人士提供養殖技術理論同實習課程。第一屆培訓已經完滿結束，如果您有興趣參加第二屆培訓，學習現代化海產養殖嘅知識同技術，兼想得到實戰經驗，請掃描海報上的QR code又或者電郵至johnwh.kwok@polyu.edu.hk查詢。

RiFood member joins the Experts Committee on Breastfeeding of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Prof. Man-sau Wong, Steering Committee Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), has been invited as a Member of the Experts Committee on Breastfeeding of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for People recently. The primary purpose of the Experts Committee is to provide technical advice to the Division for People and, in this case, to the Global Breastfeeding Training initiative to strengthen its operations and increase its impact in the communities it serves. The breastfeeding education initiative kick-off cum experts committee inauguration have been held on 18 Feb 2022. Please click here for more details.

PolyU invests HK$400m in new interdisciplinary research institutes for improving people’s lives 理大投放四億元於新成立的跨學科高等研究院 以改善社會民生

Prof. Wing-tak Wong, PolyU’s Deputy President and Provost, said in an interview that the University will invest HK$400 million in the next three years in 15 new research institutes and centres for areas like smart city, wearable smart devices and Chinese medicine. Prof. Wong said the research will focus on people’s key daily life issues like clothing and food, with an emphasis on addressing societal challenges. One of the institutes established lately is the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood). Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of RiFood and Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, told media that RiFood is currently conducting a research on the efficacies of traditional Chinese dietary supplements like bird's nest and sea cucumbers. Another research undergoing at RiFood is how to convert food waste into 3D printing materials with nanotechnology. The institute is also conducting projects about AI food authentication and food sustainability. (Hong Kong Economic Times A10, Sky Post P08) 理大常務及學務副校長黃永德於訪問時表示，大學於未來3年將投放4億元，推動高等研究院轄下的15所研究院及研究中心，當中涵蓋多個範疇，包括智慧城市、智能可穿戴系統及中醫藥等。 黃教授更表示，研究的課題均是社會民生重要議題，涉獵衣食住行，「理大特別強調研究要貼地及入屋，要對社會有用。」 「未來食品研究院」(RiFood) 是其中一所剛成立的研究院之一。RiFood院長兼應用生物及化學科技學系副教授黃家興博士於訪問中透露其研究團隊最近正研究中國傳統滋補食品如燕窩及海參相關的功效。 除此以外，「未來食品研究院」專注食品科學，研究包括透過納米技術將廚餘製成3D打印材料、發展人工智能食物鑑證以辨別有機菜等，最終目標協助培養出一個可持續的糧食系統，應對人口增長及氣候變化帶來的糧食危機。(經濟日報A10, 晴報P08)   Online coverage 線上報導: Hong Kong Economic Times 經濟日報 Sky Post 晴報  

PolyU RiFood establishes the world’s first collaborative research laboratory with Yakult officially

PolyU RiFood received a generous donation of HK$ 2 million from Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd. (Yakult) to establish the “PolyU-Yakult Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Health”. Interviewed by the media yesterday, Dr KH Wong, Director of RiFood and Dr William Tai, Director of PolyU-Yakult Joint Lab revealed that they aim to pursue impactful and cutting-edge research in Food Science and Human Health. By establishing PolyU-Yakult Joint Lab, the team will focus on the development of new probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and therapy of different diseases, to facilitate scientific exchange between Hong Kong and the world.   全球首間由大學與益力多共建的研究實驗室於理大未來食品研究院 (RiFood)正式成立 早前，理大未來食品研究院 很榮幸獲得香港益力多乳品有限公司捐贈港幣二百萬元，成立 [香港理工大學-香港益力多 腸道益生菌益生元與人類健康聯合研究實驗室]。本院院長黃家興博士及聯合研究實驗室主任戴自城博士於昨日接受本地傳媒訪問時表示，他們將致力促進食品科學與人類健康具影響力的前沿研究。而此實驗室成立，就是希望促進本地與國際機構的交流，開發用於預防和治療疾病的新型益生菌和益生元配方。 訪問已於多個平台刊登及上載，詳情請瀏覽以下網址: Topick Hong Kong Economic Times (經濟日報) Sky Post (晴報) HK01 (香港01) RTHK (香港電台) 6do.news UrbanLife Health

PET膠水樽不可長期使用 或釋放塑化劑致早熟

早前，本研究院督導委員會成員之一的梁嘉聲博士接受經濟日報TOPick訪問，分享長期使用PET水樽對嬰兒及幼兒的風險。詳情請到以下網頁瀏覽: