- Bernard L. Oser
Bernard L. Oser (1899-1995) was an American biochemist and food scientist who was involved in
vitamin analysis.Education and early career
Oser received his
Ph.D atFordham University in 1927. Prior to receiving hisdoctorate , he worked during 1920-21 atJefferson Medical College as an assistant in physiologicalchemistry and then worked during 1922-6 as a biochemist atPhiladelphia GeneralHospital (both inPennsylvania ).Later career and research
Oser then went to work at the
Food and Drug Research Laboratories inWaverly, 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 theChemistry Board during 1959-74 before forming his own consulting firm, Bernard L. Oser & Associates from 1974 to 1995. Oser also served as adjunct professor atColumbia University from 1959 to 1971 as well. His research during this time focused on biological and chemicalassays on vitamins,proteins , and other nutrient;pharmaceutical vitamin fortification, stablization, and availability;toxicology and safety evaluation offood additives ,drugs ,pesticides , and related chemicals; and the scientific aspects of food law and regulations.Role in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
A charter member of IFT when it was founded in 1939, Oser received the
Babcock-Hart Award 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 [http://www.femaflavor.org/ 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 Award was presented to honor others involved in contributions to foodingredient safety or for leadership in establishing principles forfood safety evaluation or regulation.References
* [http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/sc_diglib/archColl/58.html Vanderbilt University collection on Oser.]
* [http://members.ift.org/IFT/Awards/AchievmentAwards/AwardWinners/ List of IFT award winners]
* [http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000288 List of IFT Fellows]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.