Department of Food Science and Nutrition - PolyU

04/09/2026

🎉 Welcome to the FSN family! 🎓✨

On 31 August, the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) hosted our Research Postgraduate (RPg) Orientation & Discussion Forum to welcome our newest cohort of PhD and MPhil students!

Our academic leaders—Prof. Man-kin Wong, Prof. James Fang, and Prof. Daisy Zhao—shared essential guidance on academic milestones, research resources, and lab safety standards to help everyone transition smoothly into postgraduate life. 🔬📚

Afterwards, students and faculty caught up over a relaxed networking tea reception. It was fantastic seeing our new joiners connect with academic advisors and senior RPg peers to share their research aspirations! ☕💬

A warm welcome to all our new postgraduate researchers—we wish you an inspiring, fruitful, and groundbreaking journey ahead at PolyU! 🚀

📸 Swipe through to see some highlights from the afternoon!

02/09/2026

✨ A Week of Learning, Innovation & Inspiration! ✨

From 18 to 24 August 2026, we were thrilled to welcome a delegation of students and representatives from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM) to the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) at PolyU! 🇭🇰🇨🇳

It was a packed week of academic discovery, hands-on learning, and cross-institutional exchange. Here is a look at what our visitors got up to:

🧪 In the Lab & Classroom

Our professors and lecturers shared our latest research breakthroughs, followed by interactive lab attachments where SHUTCM students worked directly under the guidance of our research fellows.

🍶 Yakult Plant Visit (Tai Po)

The group went behind the scenes at the automated Yakult factory to discover how probiotics are manufactured, quality-controlled, and brought to market.

🏛️ Exploring the GCMTI

At the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, students toured state-of-the-art facilities and gained a deeper appreciation for modern testing standards and Chinese medicine culture.

It was a wonderfully fruitful and engaging exchange! A big thank you to our guests and staff who made this week so memorable.

26/08/2026

🌏 The International Gastronomy Symposium 2026 makes its Asian debut right here at PolyU! 🍽️✨

For the very first time in Asia, world-class culinary experts, scientists, and thought leaders are gathering in Hong Kong for this major international event!

Hosted by the Chinese Gastronomy Association (CGA) in academic partnership with PolyU’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), this year’s symposium centers on "Global Gastronomy Research, Safe And Healthy Life."

What to expect:
✨ 3 Core Pillars: Gastronomy, Health & Longevity | Scientific Innovation | Regional Branding
🎙️ FSN Keynote Highlight: Prof. Chen Sheng, Head of FSN at PolyU, will present "Balancing Taste and Wellness: Achieving the Best of Both Worlds"—exploring how food science bridges gourmet dining and nutrition.
🌍 Global Lineup: Top speakers from Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden, Thailand, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong!

If you are passionate about food science, culinary arts, or nutrition, this is an event you won't want to miss!

🗓️ Date: 5 September 2026
📍 Venue: Jockey Club Auditorium (JCA), PolyU

🌟【2026 國際美食研討會｜首度登陸亞洲】🌏

國際美食界盛事 9 月 5 日正式登場！今屆研討會首度移師亞洲，於理大賽馬會綜藝館舉行，由 CGA 主辦、理大 FSN 學術主辦，主題為「世界研食，膳領安康」。

💡 大會亮點：
✨ 理大 FSN 系主任陳聲教授主講《讓美食與健康雙向兼得》
✨ 來自法國、意大利、澳洲、泰國等多國頂尖專家及業界領袖齊集
✨ 剖析美食與健康長壽、科學創新及地方品牌三大議題

邀請大家一同開啟美食與健康的新視角！

🗓️ 日期： 2026 年 9 月 5 日
📍 地點： 理大賽馬會綜藝館

🔗 Learn more & register today: https://polyu.hk/YJPbI

26/08/2026

✨ Fresh Beginnings at FSN! 📸

Our Undergraduate Orientation on 24 August was full of energy, excitement, and new connections! Our incoming freshmen got a firsthand look at campus life, met their professors, and kicked off their PolyU journey together.

A huge welcome to all our new students—we can’t wait to see what you achieve during your years with us! 🌟

17/08/2026

📸 Recap: 3rd FSN Research Postgraduate Symposium 📸

We had a fantastic time at our 3rd Annual RPg Symposium on 12 August! Our young researchers showcased incredible work in food science and nutrition through vibrant poster and oral presentation sessions. 📊🎤

✨ Huge congratulations to this year’s award winners:

🥇 Best Oral Presentation: LI Kailin, YANG Shuxuan
🥇 Best Poster Presentation: LI Weipeng, LAI Zhiyang, CHAN Wai-ki
⭐ People’s Choice (Oral): LI Kailin
⭐ People’s Choice (Poster): LI Weipeng

Special thanks to our judges, faculty, and student attendees for making the event so memorable. Check out some of the highlights from the day! 🎓👇

03/08/2026

🎉 That’s a wrap on PolyU Summer Institute 2026! 🍦🔬✨

From 27 to 31 July, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming over 80 local and overseas high school students to campus for 5 action-packed days of university life and scientific discovery!

Here is a look at what they got up to:

🍨 Hands-on Food Lab Experience: Guided by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN), students stepped into our food laboratory to make ice cream and run professional sensory evaluations, learning the core science behind food product development!

🏢 Industrial Tour: Thanks to a site visit organised by the Faculty of Science, students visited the commercial-grade facilities of TÜV Rheinland—a global leader in testing and certification—to get a firsthand look at industry standards and future career paths.

💡 Academic & Senior Sharing: Teachers and senior students hosted dedicated sharing sessions, giving students honest insights into university life and helpful advice on subject selection.

A huge thank you to all the participating students for bringing so much energy, passion, and curiosity to campus! We hope you had an unforgettable week, and we look forward to welcoming you back to PolyU FSN in the future! ❤️👋

31/07/2026

We are thrilled to share that a letter by our Prof. James Kar-Hei Fang and Dr Elizaldy Acebu Maboloc, titled “Seafood biosecurity gaps threaten biodiversity”, has been published in the prestigious journal Science! 📄✨

This impactful piece directly aligns with FSN’s core focus on food sustainability. Featuring their work in Science underscores its global relevance and highlights our department's commitment to addressing urgent challenges in environmental health and biodiversity—the essential foundations for safeguarding global food security. 🌍🥗

📖 Citation:

Maboloc EA & Fang JKH (2026) Seafood biosecurity gaps threaten biodiversity. Science 393, 363.

▶️ Read the full article on Science: https://www.science.org/eprint/PYBQ4TPGCMZAQEAKK4YP/full?activationRedirect=/doi/full/10.1126/science.aej1248

👏 Please join us in sending our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Fang and Dr Maboloc on this exceptional achievement! Drop a ❤️ or leave your congratulatory message below! 👇

Biological invasions pose serious threats to biodiversity, ecosystem function, economies, and human health (1). Live seafood trading is a major pathway for the introduction of non-native and invasive species (2–5). Although existing local and global frameworks align with international treaties, re...

30/07/2026

Did you catch PolyU FSN on TV? 📺🐟

Prof. Kevin Kwok, Associate Head of PolyU FSN and Associate Director of RiFood, recently appeared on ViuTV’s “Treasure of the Sea in Hong Kong” (香港海有寶) to discuss how scientific innovation is revolutionising local fisheries! 🌊

During the feature, Prof. Kwok showcased a novel nano-selenium feed supplement designed to boost natural fish immunity. By keeping farmed fish healthier from the inside out, this technology significantly reduces disease outbreaks and cuts down the need for antibiotics and medications in local aquaculture.

It’s a huge win for sustainable farming and eco-friendly food supplies in Hong Kong! 👏

▶️ Curious to see how food science is shaping the future of fish farming? Catch the full ViuTV episode here: https://viu.tv/encore/treasure-of-the-sea-in-hong-kong/treasure-of-the-sea-in-hong-konge10gong-ji-yeung-yue-sut-si

28/07/2026

Back in June, a team from PolyU FSN—led by Prof. Kenneth Lo, Dr Christine Li, Dr Marcus Wong, and Ms Cynthia Lau—accompanied a group of our passionate students on an inspiring service-learning trip to Cambodia! ✈️

Connecting with hundreds of local children, our students turned nutrition education into a fun, interactive adventure! Through lively workshops and vibrant carnival games, they shared practical tips on healthy diets and balanced eating. 🥗🍎

Beyond teaching, it was a beautiful cultural exchange that empowered both local children and our PolyU students, who came back with lifelong memories, stronger leadership skills, and a deeper sense of global citizenship. 💙

👏 Join us in giving a big shout-out to our staff and students for bringing positive impact beyond borders! Drop a ❤️ in the comments to show your support!

📹 Video credited to our student: Mr. ZOU Xindao, Thomas

27/07/2026

Throughout July, the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) at PolyU was delighted to welcome two visiting student and faculty delegations from Zhejiang University (ZJU):

🐾 College of Animal Sciences (8–9 July)
🌾 College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science (23–24 July)

Highlights of the visits included:
🔬 Academic Exchange & Research Showcases: FSN academic staff engaged in insightful discussions with ZJU faculty, while delivering engaging presentations to students on innovative research topics spanning food technology and nutrition.
🏙️ Hong Kong Exploration & Experiential Learning: Beyond campus tours and exploring Hong Kong, both delegations enjoyed unique experiential visits. A key highlight for the first delegation was an eco-tour to the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park conservation area, featuring a glass-bottom boat trip to observe local coral reefs and marine life. Meanwhile, the second delegation enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Gate Gourmet in-flight catering facility, gaining firsthand insight into large-scale aviation catering and food safety standards.

It was a privilege to host the bright minds from ZJU. The exchanges were truly inspiring, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration through future research partnerships and academic exchanges! 🌟