Special Issues

Foods publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Current Research on the Effects of Novel Processing Technologies on Meat Flavor and Quality Characteristics
edited by
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1680 | Submission Open
Keywords: novel processing technologies; meat products; meat flavor; meat quality; consumer acceptance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Meat)
Innovative Cereal and Legume-Based Food: Functional and Nutritional Benefits
edited by Ying Zhu and
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1542 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive enhancement; antinutrient reduction; bioavailability of bioactive compounds; gut health modulation; plant-based food design; nutrient delivery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Medicine Food Homology-Based Functional Products for the Management of Chronic Metabolic Diseases: Mechanisms and Applications
edited by Lixia Xiao and
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 322 | Submission Open
Keywords: network pharmacology; metabolomics; gut microbiome; medicine food homology; bioactives extraction and application; functional food
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Sustainable Applications of Bioactive Compounds from Food By-Products in Smart Packaging submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 261 | Submission Open
Keywords: biopolymers; bioactive compounds; food waste valorization; smart packaging; sustainability; freshness indicators; by-product valorization; functional packaging materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Packaging and Preservation)
The Food Loss and Waste: Impact, Measurement and Management
edited by Donatella Restuccia and
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 175 | Submission Open
Keywords: food loss; food waste; circular food systems; waste management technologies; measurement and monitoring; waste quantification methodologies; key indicators; supply chain innovation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Security and Sustainability)
Fermented Foods: Microorganisms, Bioactive Components, and Health Benefits submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 119 | Submission Open
Keywords: fermented foods; lactic acid bacteria; yeasts; probiotics; bioactive compounds; antioxidants; functional foods; gut microbiota
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Food Proteins and Bioactive Peptides: Novel Sources, Characteristics and Applications—Second Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 111 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive peptides; plant-based proteins; animal-based proteins; nutritional quality; functional properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
Functional and Fermentative Microbes in Food: Diversity, Ecology, and Applications
edited by Jing Hou and Henglin Cui
submission deadline 10 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 49 | Submission Open
Keywords: food fermentation; probiotics and lactic acid bacteria; functional microbes; food microbial diversity; food microbial ecology; food microbial taxonomy; enzymes in food
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Starch and Starch-Based Products: Processing, Functions and Applications—2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 14 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1575 | Submission Open
Keywords: starch and starch-based food processing; and starch structure modification; the application of modified starch; the function of starch-based food; starch-based novel materials; including nanoparticles; emulsions; lipsomes; hydrogels; etc.
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
Exploring the Nutritional and Functional Properties of Plant Food-Derived Bioactive Components
edited by
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 9808 | Submission Open
Keywords: immunomodulatory activity; anti-diabetic activity; lipid-lowering activity; anti-tumor activity; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antibacterial activity; alkaloids; flavonoids; nysin; sterols; volatile oils
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Advances in the Application of Cold Plasma Technology for Food Quality and Safety submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 9431 | Submission Open
Keywords: novel systems; food safety; food quality; pathogen inactivation; shelf-life extension; surface decontamination; non thermal processing; functionality of food materials; sustainability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Engineering and Technology)
Advance in Starch Chemistry and Technology
edited by and
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 7726 | Submission Open
Keywords: modified starch; physicochemical properties; green methods; non-thermal processing; starch interactions; ultrasound; resistant starch V; biodegradable food packaging; structural properties; digestibility
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Conventional and Emerging Technologies for Meat Processing
edited by Javier Telis-Romero and Marcio Augusto Ribeiro Sanches
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4986 | Submission Open
Keywords: meat processing; unconventional technologies; vacuum impregnation; power ultrasound; high-pressure processing; pulsed electric fields; process optimization; process engineering; technological properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Meat)
Secondary Metabolites from Fruit and Vegetable: Characterization, Bioactivity and Intake
edited by and Mohammad Hossain
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3229 | Submission Open
Keywords: secondary metabolites; extraction; bioactivity; characterization; health; fruits and vegetables; dietary intake
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Foods)
Plant Essential Oils: Extraction Methods and Applications in Food Packaging
edited by Yaowen Liu and
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1756 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant essential oils; extraction techniques; food packaging; active packaging; encapsulation; antimicrobial; antioxidant; preservation efficacy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Engineering and Technology)
Starch Structure and Function in the Context of Functional Foods Development
edited by Jiayue Guo and Lingyan Kong
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 435 | Submission Open
Keywords: starch structure; starch function; functional foods; digestibility; nutritional profiles; processing techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Hygiene and Safety of Foods: Health Consequences for Consumers submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 162 | Submission Open
Keywords: foodborne pathogens; food safety; public health; foodborne disease; food poisoning; regulatory standards; good hygiene practice (GHP); hygiene indicators; disinfectant susceptibility; persistent strains
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Quality and Safety)
Novel Functional Coatings for Food Packaging: Recent Advances and Future Challenges submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 79 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional coatings; bio-based materials; sustainable packaging; intelligent packaging; barrier properties; edible coatings; antimicrobial/antioxidant coatings; shelf-life extension; environmental impact; circular economy in packaging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Packaging and Preservation)
Factors Governing the Structural and Biochemical Breakdown of Starch-Rich Plant Tissues During Digestion
edited by and Edith Agama Acevedo
submission deadline 15 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 69 | Submission Open
Keywords: starch digestion; colon fermentation; starchy foods; structure; processing; amylase
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
Green Analytical Technology for Assessment of the Chemical Risks in Foods
edited by Chen Fan
submission deadline 16 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3797 | Submission Open
Keywords: food safety; detection; green solvent; quality control; nanomaterials; sample preparation; hazardous substances; emerging organic contaminants
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Quality and Safety)
Advances in Food Biotechnology: Microbial and Enzymatic Innovations for Sustainable Food Systems
edited by Lilian Raquel Hickert, and Lovaine Silva Duarte
submission deadline 16 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 773 | Submission Open
Keywords: food biotechnology; microbial fermentation; enzyme; food systems; yeasts; fungi
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Biotechnology)
Nanoemulsions in Food Science: Antimicrobial and Antioxidant
edited by Carlos A. Conte-Junior and
submission deadline 16 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 185 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanotechnology; essential oils; natural antimicrobials; antioxidants; storage; bacterial modulation
Advances in Cereal and Cereal Product Chemistry, Nutrition and Technology: 3rd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 19 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 69 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereal chemistry; cereal proteins; nutritional functionality; processing technology; wheat dough
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Impact of Processing on the Biological Effects of Bioactive Compounds in Food submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 4914 | Submission Open
Keywords: sustainability; low-carbon-footprint methods; nanotechnology; delivery systems; 3D printing; plant-based food; additive manufacturing technologies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Approaches for Improving Nutritional Aspects of Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods
edited by , Bojana Voučko and
submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2970 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereal-based foods; functional foods; consumer preferences; whole grains; clean label; ancient grains; sustainable processing; product development; specific dietary needs
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Nutrients and Functional Ingredients in Dairy Products
edited by
submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2549 | Submission Open
Keywords: dairy products; nutrients; functional ingredients; bioavailability; health benefits; technological advancements
(This special issue belongs to the Section Dairy)
Starches: From Structure to Functional Properties
edited by Enpeng Li
submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1819 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereal starch; molecular structure; liquid chromatography; starchy food; digestion; sensory aspects
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
Applications of Spectroscopy and Imaging Techniques in Food Quality and Safety
edited by , and Leticia Tessaro
submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 661 | Submission Open
Keywords: food analysis; food composition; authentication; chemometrics; qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; contaminants
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Analytical Methods)
Functional Foods: Improving Diet Quality and Supporting Disease Prevention submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 313 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional foods; natural products; nutritional value; oxidative stress; bioactive compounds; metabolic health; chronic disease management; food innovation; bioactive compounds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
Recent Advances in the Application of Non-Thermal Plasma Technology in the Food Industry: Innovations in Food Safety, Preservation and Quality Enhancement submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 128 | Submission Open
Keywords: non-thermal plasma; food safety; toxin degradation; decontamination; sterilization; food quality; shelf life; pathogen reduction; food preservation; functional properties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Engineering and Technology)
Nuts: A Sustainable Raw Material for Food Innovation and Beyond submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 126 | Submission Open
Keywords: nut-based food products; gluten-free alternatives; functional foods; plant-based diets; bioactive compounds; nuts by-products; sustainability; eco-friendly extraction techniques; non-food applications; waste valorization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
New Insights into Sources of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds in Foods—2nd Edition submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 120 | Submission Open
Keywords: alternative sources of nutrients; antioxidants; bioactive peptides; biotechnological and nanotechnological methods in food technology; isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds; medicinal plants; naturally derived active ingredients; novel raw materials for food production; phenolic compounds; waste and by-product valorization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Comprehensive Utilization of By-Products in Food Industry: 2nd Edition
edited by , Xiaofei Liu, Longwei Jiang, and Congyu Lin
submission deadline 20 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 73 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomass resource utilization; food industry by-products; high-value utilization; environmentally friendly; processing of agricultural products; green biotechnology; food industry wastewater; clean energy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
Active Packaging in Food Storage: From Development to Utilization—2nd Edition submission deadline 22 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 5077 | Submission Open
Keywords: active packaging; shelf life; food safety; food waste; sustainable packaging; lipid oxidation; biopolymers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Packaging and Preservation)
Novel Approaches for Controlling and Analyzing Microorganisms in Foods: 2nd Edition
edited by and Aline Dias Paiva
submission deadline 22 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 176 | Submission Open
Keywords: microorganisms; food safety; foodborne pathogens; control; detection; microbial ecology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Spectroscopic Methods Applied in Food Quality Determination
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 7419 | Submission Open
Keywords: near-infrared spectroscopy; mid-infrared spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; hyperspectral imaging; fluorescence spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance; terahertz spectroscopy; chemometrics; machine learning methods; rapid and non-destructive spectroscopy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Analytical Methods)
Formulation and Nutritional Aspects of Cereal-Based Functional Foods
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6224 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereal-based foods; dietary fibers; functional foods; functional ingredients; health benefits; innovative techniques; metabolic effects; new products; sustainable techniques; whole grains
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Yeast in the Food Industry: Biomass, Diversity, Technology, and Applications
edited by and Xianxuan Zhou
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 697 | Submission Open
Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; CRISPR-Cas9; gene editing; ethanol production; organic acid tolerance; xylose utilization; metabolic engineering; synthetic biology; fermentation control; bio-conversion
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Advances in Risk Assessment of Emerging Foodborne Microbial Hazards and Contaminants submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 437 | Submission Open
Keywords: emerging foodborne pathogens; antimicrobial resistance; microplastics in food; emerging chemical food contaminants; exposure and risk assessment; food safety
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Toxicology)
Advances in the Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Foods and Food Processing By-Products and Their Nutritional Impact
edited by , and Michael Rychlik
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 437 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive compounds; extraction techniques; nutraceuticals; sustainability; polyphenols; carotenoids; dietary fibers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
Recent Advances in Food Protein and Alternative Protein: Properties, Benefits, and Applications
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 252 | Submission Open
Keywords: protein modification; protein functionality; food quality; alternative food proteins
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Beyond Sustenance: The Rise of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Health and Well-Being
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 154 | Submission Open
Keywords: nutraceuticals; functional foods; bioactive compounds; phytochemicals; chronic disease prevention; food technology; health claims; dietary supplements; metabolomics; bioavailability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
Foodborne Pathogen Growth, Toxin Production and Strain Variability in Food submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 93 | Submission Open
Keywords: foodborne pathogens; growth; strain variability; enterotoxins; mycotoxins; predictive microbiology; biopreservation; climate change; microbial risk assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Novel Approaches for the Detection of Grain Products' Quality and Adulteration
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 86 | Submission Open
Keywords: grain product quality; adulteration detection; spectroscopic analysis; sensor-based detection; non-destructive analysis; online detection; deep learning
(This special issue belongs to the Section Grain)
Food-Derived Peptides Utilization: Fractionation, Structural Characterization, and Bio-Active Properties with Innovative or Novel Technologies
edited by Yu-Wei Chang and Kuo-Chiang Hsu
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 83 | Submission Open
Keywords: food-derived peptides  ; bioactive peptides  ; innovative or novel technologies  ; protein hydrolysates  ; proteomics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry)
The Winemaking Processes Applied to the Industrial Level of Wines
edited by Tingting Ma, and Qian Ge
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 79 | Submission Open
Keywords: wine quality; wine style; fermentation processes; flavor characteristics; winemaking techniques; wine grapes; fruit wine; grape varieties; yeast varieties
(This special issue belongs to the Section Drinks and Liquid Nutrition)
Volatile and Nutraceutical Signature of Fresh and Processed Foods: Insights into Sensory, Quality, and Functional Properties
edited by
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 71 | Submission Open
Keywords: fresh and processed foods; green processing technologies; sensory attributes; quality; quality; volatile profile; nutraceutical content; analytical chemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Quality and Safety)
Emerging Processing and Detection Technologies for Meat and Meat Products
edited by
submission deadline 28 Jan 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3070 | Submission Open
Keywords: meat science; innovative detection method; meat processing; food safety; meat quality; nutrition
(This special issue belongs to the Section Meat)
Probiotic Fermentation: Advances in Research on Probiotic Properties and Fermentation Techniques
edited by and
submission deadline 29 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 725 | Submission Open
Keywords: probiotic fermentation; gut microbiota; postbiotics; fermentation technology; microbial viability; functional foods; synbiotics; industrial biotechnology; bioactive metabolites
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)
Functional Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits
edited by Pedro Miguel Silva and Ana Isabel Bourbon
submission deadline 30 Jan 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 11326 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional foods; gut– brain axis; gut microbiota; health properties; bioactive compounds; probiotics; prebiotics; food personalization; gut microbiome; novel foods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)
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