Bernard L. Oser
Encyclopedia
Bernard L. Oser was an American
biochemist
and food scientist
who was involved in vitamin
analysis.
in 1927. Prior to receiving his doctorate
, he worked during 1920-21 at Jefferson Medical College as an assistant in physiological
chemistry
and then worked during 1922-6 as a biochemist at Philadelphia General Hospital
(both in Pennsylvania
).
, then known as the Food Research Labs. Inc., during 1926-57 as an assistant director to the vice president and then served as president of the Chemistry Board during 1959-74 before forming his own consulting firm, Bernard L. Oser & Associates from 1974 to 1995. Oser also served as adjunct professor at Columbia University
from 1959 to 1971 as well. His research during this time focused on biological
and chemical
assays on vitamins, proteins, and other nutrient; pharmaceutical vitamin fortification, stabilization, and availability; toxicology
and safety evaluation of food additives, drugs
, pesticides, and related chemicals; and the scientific aspects of food law and regulations
.
in 1958 and would be named an IFT Fellow in 1975. He also served as president in 1968-69.
was presented to honor others involved in contributions to food ingredient
safety or for leadership in establishing principles for food safety
evaluation or regulation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biochemist
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and food scientist
Food science
Food science is a study concerned with all technical aspects of foods, beginning with harvesting or slaughtering, and ending with its cooking and consumption, an ideology commonly referred to as "from field to fork"...
who was involved in vitamin
Vitamin
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. In other words, an organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on...
analysis.
Education and early career
Oser received his Ph.D at Fordham UniversityFordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in 1927. Prior to receiving his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
, he worked during 1920-21 at Jefferson Medical College as an assistant in physiological
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and then worked during 1922-6 as a biochemist at Philadelphia General Hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
(both in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
).
Later career and research
Oser then went to work at Food and Drug Research Laboratories, Inc. in Waverly, New YorkWaverly, New York
Waverly is the name of some places in the U.S. state of New York:*Waverly, Tioga County, New York, a village in New York's Southern Tier*Waverly, Franklin County, New York, a town in Northern New York...
, then known as the Food Research Labs. Inc., during 1926-57 as an assistant director to the vice president and then served as president of the Chemistry Board during 1959-74 before forming his own consulting firm, Bernard L. Oser & Associates from 1974 to 1995. Oser also served as adjunct professor at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
from 1959 to 1971 as well. His research during this time focused on biological
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
and chemical
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
assays on vitamins, proteins, and other nutrient; pharmaceutical vitamin fortification, stabilization, and availability; toxicology
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
and safety evaluation of food additives, drugs
DRUGS
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows are an American post-hardcore band formed in 2010. They released their debut self-titled album on February 22, 2011.- Formation :...
, pesticides, and related chemicals; and the scientific aspects of food law and regulations
Food politics
Food politics are the political aspects of the production, control, regulation, inspection and distribution of food. The politics can be affected by the ethical, cultural, medical and environmental disputes concerning proper farming, agricultural and retailing methods and...
.
Role in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
A charter member of IFT when it was founded in 1939, Oser received the Babcock-Hart AwardBabcock-Hart Award
The Babcock-Hart Award has been awarded since 1948 by the Institute of Food Technologists. It is given for significant contributions in food technology that resulted in public health through some aspects of nutrition. It was first named the Stephan M. Babcock Award after the agricultural chemist...
in 1958 and would be named an IFT Fellow in 1975. He also served as president in 1968-69.
Other activities
Oser was also active in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association and served on their Expert Panel during his career.Death and legacy
Oser died in 1995, the last surviving charter member of IFT. In 2000, the first Bernard L. Oser AwardBernard L. Oser Award
The Bernard L. Oser Award has been awarded since 2000 by the Institute of Food Technologists . It is awarded to contributions to the scientific knowledge of food ingredient safety or for leadership in establishing principles for food safety evaluation or regulation. This award is named for Bernard L...
was presented to honor others involved in contributions to food ingredient
Ingredient
An ingredient is a substance that forms part of a mixture . For example, in cooking, recipes specify which ingredients are used to prepare a specific dish. Many commercial products contain a secret ingredient that is purported to make them better than competing products...
safety or for leadership in establishing principles for food safety
Food safety
Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
evaluation or regulation.