Riddet Institute Director conferred with CNZM

18 September 2025 - Pioneering Massey University food scientist Harjinder Singh received his New Zealand Order of Merit honour at a special investiture ceremony in Wellington on Tuesday.

Distinguished Professor Singh was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZN) for services to food science in January. He was one of 11 honours recipients receiving their insignia from Governor General Dame Cindy at Government House.

Dist. Prof Singh is Director of the Riddet Institute, a Centre of Research Excellence hosted by Massey University in Palmerston North focusing on advanced food research.

At the ceremony the citation reading highlighted Dist. Prof Singh’s outstanding contributions to food science and technology over a career spanning more than 30 years.

“He has investigated structure-function relationships in food colloids, providing new insights into molecular interactions in food systems and how they alter following food processing. His prolific publications have ranked him as Oceania’s number one food scientist.”

It particularly noted his research breakthroughs of significant economic and social importance.

“With his team he invented an encapsulation technology for omega-three fatty acids, which allows the incorporation of fish oil into foods at high levels.

“His FerriPro technology brings affordable iron nutrition to the developing world and has been commercialised by the Nestlé-Riddet institute partnership, earning significant royalties for Massey University and the Riddet Institute, of which he is Director.”

The New Year’s Honour is the latest of several awards Dist. Prof Singh has received, including last year’s prestigious Pickering Medal awarded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and a Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by the international Institute of Food Technologists, also in 2024.