One of just seven members, Patterson brings a wealth of experience, including former president of the Institute of Food Science (IFST, 2013-14) and of the Society for Applied Microbiology (2005-08).

She was also named one of the UK’s 100 leading practising scientists by the Science Council and was awarded an OBE for her services to the agri-food sector, particularly in food safety and quality.

Patterson said: “I feel very honoured to have been elected onto the IUFoST Governing Council.

“Working together to help ensure a safe and sufficient food supply is a key goal of IUFoST, and the organisation aligns well with IFST’s objectives of advancing food science and technology knowledge, encouraging professionalism within its members and cooperating with all organisations and groups that share the same objectives.”

Comprising 60+ bodies (including IFST), IUFoST is a non-profit, non-governmental, global scientific organisation for food science and technology.

Its mission is to ‘promote international cooperation and information exchange, provide education and training to food scientists and technologists around the world, and promote professionalism among food scientists and technologists.’