The Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) consisted of five main groups, one of whose main area of interest was the preservation of food especially cold storage. This was the precursor of the organisation's Food Preservation and Transport Section. This section was formed in August 1931 and was raised to divisional status on 10 May 1940 when it became the Division of Food Preservation and Transport.

On 19 May 1949, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) was formed and the Division of Food Preservation and Transport survived as part of this organisation until 30 June 1960.

Since then there have been successive name changes of the Division.

2 Jul 1962 - 24 Jan 1971 	Food Preservation (includes Dairy Products 							Research Station) 
25 Jan 1971 - 10 Feb 1989 	Food Research 
10 Feb 1989 - 8 Feb 1993 	Food Processing
8 Feb 1993 - 1 Dec 1997 	Food Science and Technology

The Division's research relates to maintenance of the quality of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetable foods during the chain of events from production to consumption. Microbiological safety, nutritional value, flavour and appearance are among the aspects of quality involved. Research on methods of processing and storage is aimed not only at improving final quality, but also at avoiding or utilizing wastes and reducing the energy and labour costs of processing and handling.

On 1 December 1997, the Division of Food Science and Technology and the Australian Food Industry Science Centre (a research centre of the Victorian State Department of Natural Resources and Environment) established an unincorporated joint venture called Food Science Australia.

Food Science Australia was established, under a joint venture agreement signed on 8 October 1997, to operate as a seamless team with complimentary skills, retaining the separate pre-existing corporate identities, assets and staff of CSIRO, Division of Food Science and Technology and the Australian Food Industry Science Centre.

Source:

CSIRO Archives
Historical agency address
Delhi Road, North Ryde NSW