1. Introduction
Journal of Food Technology Research (JFTR) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific quality, research integrity, and publication ethics through a rigorous and transparent peer review process. Peer review is a fundamental component of scholarly publishing that helps ensure the originality, validity, significance, and reliability of published research.
The journal publishes high-quality research in food science, food technology, food engineering, food processing, food safety, nutrition, biotechnology, sustainable food systems, and related disciplines. All submitted manuscripts are evaluated according to internationally recognized ethical and academic standards before publication.
2. Initial Editorial Assessment
Upon submission, all manuscripts undergo an initial evaluation by the Editor-in-Chief or an assigned editor. The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether the manuscript:
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Falls within the aims and scope of the journal;
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Demonstrates scientific merit and originality;
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Meets the journal's formatting and submission requirements;
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Complies with ethical and publication standards;
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Is written in clear and comprehensible academic English.
Manuscripts that fail to meet the journal's minimum requirements may be rejected without external review.
3. Double-Blind Peer Review Process
JFTR follows a double-blind peer review system, whereby the identities of authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process. Authors are required to remove all identifying information from their manuscripts and supplementary files before submission.
Following editorial screening, suitable manuscripts are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with expertise relevant to the manuscript's subject area. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, and publication records.
The double-blind review system promotes fairness, objectivity, and impartiality while minimizing potential bias associated with authors' institutional affiliations, nationality, gender, or academic reputation.
4. Review Criteria
Reviewers are requested to evaluate manuscripts based on the following criteria:
4.1 Originality and Novelty
The manuscript should present original research findings, innovative methodologies, or significant advancements in food science and technology.
4.2 Scientific Quality
The study should be scientifically sound, methodologically rigorous, and based on appropriate experimental design, data collection, and analysis procedures.
4.3 Significance and Contribution
The research should contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge and practice in food technology, food processing, food safety, nutrition, or related fields.
4.4 Clarity and Organization
The manuscript should be logically structured, clearly written, and supported by relevant literature and appropriate references.
4.5 Validity of Results and Conclusions
Results should be accurately presented and analyzed, and conclusions should be supported by the data and findings presented in the study.
5. Reviewer Responsibilities
Reviewers are expected to:
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Provide objective, constructive, and timely assessments;
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Maintain confidentiality regarding all submitted materials;
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Identify relevant published work not cited by the authors;
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Report any suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, data manipulation, or ethical concerns;
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Declare any potential conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.
Reviewers must not use information obtained during the review process for personal, professional, or financial gain.
6. Editorial Decisions
Based on reviewers' recommendations and editorial evaluation, the Editor may make one of the following decisions:
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Accept without revision;
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Accept with minor revisions;
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Major revisions required;
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Reject with an invitation to resubmit;
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Reject.
The final decision regarding publication rests solely with the Editor-in-Chief or designated handling editor.
7. Plagiarism Screening and Originality Verification
JFTR is committed to publishing only original and ethical research. All submitted manuscripts are screened using iThenticate through the Crossref Similarity Check service prior to publication.
The journal does not accept manuscripts containing:
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Plagiarism;
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Self-plagiarism;
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Duplicate or redundant publication;
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Data fabrication or falsification;
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Image manipulation;
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Citation manipulation.
Any suspected cases of publication misconduct are investigated in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
8. Research Ethics and Integrity
The journal requires all research to be conducted in accordance with recognized ethical principles and applicable regulations.
8.1 Human Subjects Research
Research involving human participants must receive approval from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB), Ethics Committee, or equivalent authority prior to the commencement of the study.
Authors must provide details of ethical approval within the manuscript and confirm that informed consent was obtained from all participants.
8.2 Animal Research
Research involving animals must comply with internationally accepted standards for animal welfare and ethical treatment. Authors must provide details of ethical approval and demonstrate compliance with institutional and national regulations governing animal experimentation.
8.3 Food Safety and Laboratory Compliance
Studies involving food products, food additives, microorganisms, biotechnology, or laboratory experiments must comply with applicable food safety, biosafety, and laboratory regulations. Authors should clearly describe safety procedures and regulatory compliance where relevant.
9. Conflict of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any financial, institutional, professional, or personal relationships that could influence or be perceived to influence the research or publication process.
All authors are required to submit a conflict of interest statement at the time of manuscript submission. Where no conflicts exist, authors should state that no competing interests have been declared.
10. Confidentiality
All manuscripts submitted to JFTR are treated as confidential documents. Editors, reviewers, and editorial staff must not disclose, discuss, distribute, or use unpublished information contained in submitted manuscripts without authorization.
Confidentiality obligations continue after the completion of the review process.
11. Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a written justification to the Editor-in-Chief. Appeals will be reviewed objectively and may involve consultation with additional reviewers or editorial board members.
Complaints concerning editorial conduct, peer review procedures, or publication ethics will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines and journal policies.
12. Publication Ethics and Best Practice
The Journal of Food Technology Research adheres to the principles and best-practice guidelines established by the:
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Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE);
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International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE);
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Crossref Similarity Check Program;
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Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.
Authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, accountability, and professional conduct throughout the publication process.
References
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). (2021). COPE Core Practices. Available at: https://publicationethics.org/core-practices
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). (2019). COPE Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers. Available at: https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines-new/cope-ethical-guidelines-peer-reviewers
Crossref. (2024). Similarity Check Powered by iThenticate. Available at: https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). (2024). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. Available at: https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/
Wager, E., & Kleinert, S. (2011). Responsible research publication: International standards for editors. In T. Mayer & N. Steneck (Eds.), Promoting Research Integrity in a Global Environment (pp. 317–328). World Scientific.
Eysenbach, G., & Till, J. E. (2001). Ethical issues in qualitative research on internet communities. BMJ, 323(7321), 1103–1105. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7321.1103