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Artwork for The Food Chain

The Food Chain

BBC World Service
Ultra-Processed Food
Cooking From Scratch
Nova Food Classification System
Health Issues
Nutrition Labels
Societal Challenges
Public Health
Apple Industry
Chinese Cuisine
Child Nutrition
Pesticides
Mealtime Conversations
Cultural Food Practices
Traditional Healing
Postpartum Nutrition
Global Food Traditions
Maternal Health
Climate Change
Air Pollution
Nutrition

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes527Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & CultureFood

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Artwork for The Food Chain

Latest Episodes

Fermented foods are fashionable – kimchi, kefir, kombucha – they're all having a moment, many thousands of years on from where they were first produced. But how much do you know about how they're made? Do you know your SCOBY from your kefir grain?

more

Meal kits have become a familiar part of food shopping in many countries, offering pre-portioned ingredients and recipes delivered to the door. But how widespread are they, and what do they reveal about how people are eating today?

Ruth Alexander he... more

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, pulses and olive oil and traditionally includes small amounts of fish and very little red meat. Thousands of studies back its health benefits. In fact, it's considered to be one of the most widely researc... more

Ruth Alexander gathers the most useful, actionable nutrition advice from our episodes of 2025 to help set you up for 2026. Things like how to nourish your brain, keep an eye on portion sizes, and why it’s important to focus on fibre. Experts from aro... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Dr. Rebecca Bennett
Postdoctoral research fellow at Deakin University's Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition
Deakin University
Episode: Dinner unboxed
Philip Doran
CEO of HelloFresh for the UK and Ireland
HelloFresh
Episode: Dinner unboxed
Nandini Roy Chowdhury
Head of food and beverage research at Future Market Insights
Future Market Insights
Episode: Dinner unboxed
Sarah Gofield
Busy working mother and meal kit user
HelloFresh
Episode: Dinner unboxed
Professor Huang Zijuan
Preventive cardiologist from Singapore
Episode: Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Marta Guasch-Ferre
Associate professor and nutrition researcher at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
Episode: Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Professor Sarah Tracy
Historian of medicine at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
Episode: Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Professor Pekka Puska
Former Director General of the Finnish Center for Health
Finnish Center for Health
Episode: Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Jessica Rae Williamson
A young woman from Manchester sharing her experience with foster care and food insecurity.
Episode: Family ties

Hosts

Ruth Alexander
Host who examines food's business, science, and cultural significance, often reflecting on various food topics with thought-provoking insights.
Rumella Dasgupta
Involved in discussions surrounding food culture, highlighting various aspects of the culinary world.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Excellent guests who provide a very insightful look into the world of restaurant service. Listening teaches one what they ought to expect from their servers and how they should comport themselves when eating out.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    ithabise
    2 months ago
  • Crisps

    Why did we have to listen to someone pretending to make a crisp sandwich and then pretending to eat it? Ludicrous!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    hannakuso
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Not listening anymore

    I used to listen to it, but the BBC’s disgraceful handling of the ongoing genocide in Palestine made me stop consuming anything they produce. Goodbye.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gariraygua
    Spain7 months ago
  • Pay an actual artist

    Love the show but not the recent ai slop cover “art”

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Leeroy1289
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great

    I love this podcast, every episode is so interesting and Ruth Alexander is a fab presenter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnYaLt
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics express dissatisfaction with certain topics, indicating a wish for a focused approach on food itself rather than peripheral matters.
Many highlight the knowledgeable and personable hosting style, which enhances the overall experience.
Listeners appreciate the rich variety of topics covered, often finding the discussions both engaging and informative.
The podcast is generally praised for its research and depth, showcasing real-life implications of food in society.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#38
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#241
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#9
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#10
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#67
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Q: What was Ancel Keys' contribution to the Mediterranean diet?
Ancel Keys researched the dietary patterns of souther Europeans, linking their diet to lower heart disease rates, and was pivotal in popularizing the Mediterranean diet concept.
Should we all eat the Mediterranean way?
Q: What is the Mediterranean diet and how can it be applied in different cultures?
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes high intake of plant foods, healthy fats, and communal meals, which can be adapted to fit local ingredients and cultural practices.
Dinner unboxed
Q: What are some concerns about meal kits?
Concerns include high costs and issues of accessibility, particularly for low-income individuals.
Dinner unboxed
Q: How are meal kits impacting the way we eat?
Meal kits are helping people learn new cooking skills and try new ingredients, increasing their vegetable intake and improving nutrition.
Dinner unboxed
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using meal kits?
Meal kits offer convenience and help busy families eat healthier, but they can be expensive and may not be accessible to everyone.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Food Chain

What is The Food Chain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate tapestry of food, this podcast traverses its multifaceted significance in business, science, and culture, offering listeners an insightful look into what shapes the food we consume daily. Each episode features a blend of stories and expert perspectives, giving depth to themes such as culinary practices around the world, the science behind ingredients, and the evolving dynamics of food industries. Episodes range from discussions on critical topics like tipping culture and portion sizes to innovative trends such as drone deliveries and culinary arts. With a focus on personal narratives and expert analysis, this show stands out in its ability to weave together cultural insights with practical knowledge, making it an ess... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Food Chain?

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How many listeners does The Food Chain get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Food Chain?

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How many subscribers and views does The Food Chain have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Food Chain has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Food Chain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Food Chain:

1. The Food Programme
2. Good Food
3. CrowdScience
4. Inside Health
5. Sliced Bread

How many episodes of The Food Chain are there?

The Food Chain launched 11 years ago and published 527 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Food Chain?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Food Chain?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Food Chain from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Food Chain?

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What guests have appeared on The Food Chain?

Recent guests on The Food Chain include:

1. Dr. Rebecca Bennett
2. Philip Doran
3. Nandini Roy Chowdhury
4. Sarah Gofield
5. Professor Huang Zijuan
6. Marta Guasch-Ferre
7. Professor Sarah Tracy
8. Professor Pekka Puska

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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