Mian Nadeem Riaz

Mian Nadeem Riaz is a Pakistani–American food scientist, academic and author. He is a professor in food diversity, director of the Extrusion Technology Program and the Associate Department head of the Food Science and Technology Department at Texas A&M University.

Riaz's research is focused on halal food production and food processing using innovative technologies. He has authored and co-authored research articles and seven books including Halal Food Production, Halal Industrial Production Standards, Handbook of Halal Production, Extruders in Food Applications, Extruders and Expanders in Pet Food, Aquatic, and Livestock Feed, Soy Application in Foods, and Extrusion Problems Solved. He is the recipient of the 2016 University of Maine Bernard Lown Alumni Humanitarian Award, the 2023 International Food Security Award from the Institute of Food Technologists, and the 2023 Texas A&M University Dean's Outstanding Achievement Award for International Impact. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences.

Education and early career Riaz obtained a bachelor's degree in Food Technology and Agriculture in 1985 and a master's degree in Food Technology in 1987, both from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, where he also worked as a Research Assistant before moving to Maine, US. He became a Food Science Consultant in 1990 and was the first PhD graduate of the University of Maine Food and Nutrition Sciences Department in 1992.

Career Riaz ran the extrusion program at Texas A&M University in 1992. He later joined the Faculty of the Institute of Food Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University in 1995 and became a Graduate Faculty in 1998. He has been the Holder of the Professorship in Food Diversity in the Food Science and Technology Department since 2017. and the Associate Department Head since 2022.

Riaz published Soy Application in Foods in 2006, exploring the diverse uses of soy ingredients in the food industry, looking into processing conditions and applications. Later, in Extruders in Food Applications and Extruders and Expanders in Pet Food, Aquatic and Livestock Feeds, he offered practical insights on the application of extrusion technology in the food industry, covering various extruder types and applications for pet food and feed. He also co-authored Extrusion Problems Solved: Food, Pet Food and Feed with Galen J. Rocky which was called "an extremely informative book" by Donald G. Mercer.

Halal food production Riaz has researched halal food production throughout his career. In a collaborative research paper, he highlighted the lack of transparency in disclosing the sources and processing of food ingredients, urging consumers to advocate for clearer labeling in halal and kosher food production. He outlined halal food laws for Muslims, emphasizing religious significance and offering guidance to the food industry, including dietary prohibitions, slaughter methods, the global halal market, and certification.

In 2021, Riaz and colleagues examined the acceptability of stunning methods in Halal meat production, weighing their pros and cons for economic and ethical considerations among Muslims.

Extrusion processing Riaz studied extrusion processing by analyzing its effects and usage. He explored the various definitions of extrusion, emphasizing its role as a continuous cooking process with expanding applications in food, feed, and oilseed industries. In a joint research, he looked into the impact of extrusion, particularly on fat and water-soluble vitamins, revealing factors affecting their retention and sensitivity during the process.

Riaz investigated the surge in North America's plant-based meat alternatives, driven by dietary shifts, environmental concerns, and the nutritional value of pulse crops and proteins.

Food processing Riaz's work on food processing focused on food proteins and fat and oil extraction from animals and vegetables. He assessed the importance of fats and oils as a primary energy source, emphasizing advancements in extraction technologies for high-quality fats from various sources, both animal and plant-based.

In a collaborative study, Riaz evaluated the flavor and lipid profiles of textured peanut (TP), a potential meat substitute, noting low volatile flavor compounds and stable lipid oxidation products during one year of storage. Furthermore, he produced extruded cereal flakes by substituting corn cones with different levels of nonroasted and roasted partially defatted peanut flour.

Awards and honors 2016 – Bernard Lown Alumni Humanitarian Award, University of Maine 2023 – International Food Security Award, Institute of Food Technologists 2023 – Dean's Outstanding Achievement Award for International Impact, Texas A&M University