BERLIN, November 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The European Federation of Food Science and Technology's (EFFOST) Student of the Year award was presented to Eliza Luengo, from the University of Zaragoza, Spain at the EFFOST annual conference. Cargill sponsored the award which includes first, second and third cash prizes, as well as an all expense paid two day enhancing visit to Cargill's Research and Development centre in Vilvoorde, Belgium for all five finalists.  

The award was open to European students currently studying for either a BSc/MSc in food science or technology disciplines. It recognises those students that have had a paper accepted for publication in a peer reviewed food science journal or have obtained a patent (based on their work) in the field of food science.

Speaking on behalf of Cargill at the Award Ceremony, Luis Fernandez, head of Cargill's food technology applications for Europe and member of the award judging panel said: "As scientific research is an integral part of Cargill's food ingredients capabilities, we recognise that our continued success depends on the development of future food scientists. By sponsoring this award, we are able to aknowledge the outstanding results that students are making and continue to encourage their development in this industry."

Fernandez continued "We are delighted to be partnering with EFFOST and making this investment into the future for food science."

In total 46 applicants submitted abstracts which were judged by a scientific panel and the five candidates shortlisted were invited to attend the EFFOST annual conference and receive their prizes.    

The awards were presented at the EFFOST annual conference held in Berlin, Germany on the 10 November.

Notes for editors: 

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 138,000 people in 63 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.

For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

About Cargill's Vilvoorde innovation centre

Cargill's R&D centre is located in Vilvoorde, on the outskirts of Brussels. Acquired as part of the 2002 Cerestar acquisition, it has since become the hub of Cargill innovation in Europe, Middle East and Africa. This centre is part of an active network of several European application centres in the Netherlands, France and Spain and is also closely connected to our Asia Pacific, North American and Latin American Food Innovation Centres. The centres activities cover the entire spectrum of food and ingredients science. http://www.cargill.be/belgium/en/products/cargill-rd-centre-europe/index.jsp

About EFFOST

The European Federation of Food Science & Technology (EFFoST) is a non-profit association that federates food science and technology organisations in Europe, from east to west and south to north. EFFoST is the European group of the International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), which in turn is a full member of the International Council for Science (ICSU), the scientific organisation of the United Nations (UN). EFFoST aims to:
1. Develop closer contact between food producers and distributors, universities and research institutes
2. Enhance rapid technology transfer from ideas/research into indstrial applications to improve European competitiveness
3. Promote continuing professional development and educational excellence within food science and technology
4. Harmonise food legislation and enforcement programmes throughout Europe
5. Maintain a collaborative network of (research) organisations within the European food industry aimed at cooperation and 'knowledge sharing'
6. Develop publications, and organise events of industrial relevance, including legislation and its enforcement.

CONTACT:      
Wendy Garbutt: +44-1932-861174
wendy_garbutt@cargill.com

SOURCE Cargill