What is Food-Info.net ?
Food-Info.net aims to be the largest and most comprehensive information site relating to food science and related subjects in the world.
- Started as Dutch site in 1999 (www.voedsel.net)
- aim : answer food-related questions from public to university
- 2001-2003 EUFIC sponsorship (www.foodexperts.net)
- provide information on food science in 6 languages
- Since 2003 : Food-Info (www.food-info.net)
- provide food science information in as many languages as possible, with focus on European languages
- to increase awareness of people about food science, food safety and ingredients
- to increase the number of students in food science
- 2007 : Sponsorship of EFFoST and EHEDG
- incorporation as foundation
Content
The site provides information on all food science related topics, but no information on diets or animal (pet) foods.
Major parts of the site :
1. Topics
- Food Components
- vitamins, minerals, colours, protein…
- Food Allergies and Intolerances
- food-allergy dictionaries in > 30 languages
- Food Safety
- bacteria, viruses, toxins…
- Functional Foods
2. Questions and Answers
- Over 450 QA in many different topics
3. Products
- Coffee, Tea, Pasta, Spices, Sugar, Wine, edible insects…
4. E-numbers
5. QA-service in several languages
6. Quiz
7. Links
8. Food Dictionary (www.fooddictionary.eu)
- The site is run by a paid project manager
- Translations are provided by students in the food technology and food safety programmes in Wageningen and partner universities.
- New material is written by staff and students of Wageningen university or taken with permission from other websites and edited to the Food-Info format.
- Extensive file management system, but very flexible
- Technically simple : no database, no flash fast and no browser problems
- Well optimised for Google and other search engines
The Food-Info foundation was founded under Dutch law in December 2007.
The Board of the Foundation consists of :
Ralf Hartemink, chairman, representing Wageningen University
Huub Lelieveld, secretary, representing EHEDG
Wilma Methorst, treasurer, representing EFFoST
The site is run by a daily management team located at Wageningen University and an controlling Executive Board. Daily Management Team Ing. Martina Starovicova, MSc : Project Manager Dr. ir. Ralf Hartemink : representative of Wageningen University Executive Board (to be elected in 2008)
Key figures (since July 2005) :
- 15 % revisitors and increasing
- Visitors from 211 countries
- Main countries : Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Belgium, USA, Spain
- Over 10000 links to www.food-info.net
- Monthly quiz made by over 500 participants
- Over 11000 separate files
- All statistics publicly visible and verifiable
- Weekly mentioned in newspapers/journals/TV or radio in different countries
- Clear increase in students in Food Technology in Wageningen
- Increased awareness of the study programme
- Increase content
- Increase languages
- Publish leaflets, posters, books
- Using new media (mobile phones)
- Information in person : markets, fairs etc
- growth rate in visitors and pageviews of >25% as compared to 2007