The politics of good food : why food engineers and citizen-consumers are talking at cross-purposes

Our confidence in technologically processed food is under increasing pressure and is no longer self-evident. Meaningful public discourse on the social impact of food technology is an important ingredient for restoring this confidence. This dissertation analyses the Dutch public debate on food technology, with a special emphasis on E numbers, and explains why technologists and consumers often engage in a dialogue of the deaf. Health risks are not the only reason behind our mistrust of E numbers; it also involves a food relationship that contributes to an indifferent, lazy and flat food culture. This dissertation offers several recommendations for improving this dialogue.