The basis of food science is presented in a series of lectures covering traditional and novel methods of preserving foods for distribution and storage. Food commodities are introduced in groups, including dairy, meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, beverages, eggs, sugars, cereals and lipids. The need for preservation is discussed, including physical, chemical and biological deterioration factors and water relationships. Technologies covered are heating, chilling, freezing, drying, brining, pickling, sugar, radiation, packaging (MAP and CAP), chemical preservatives and novel methods.