Phil likes to apply a multi-disciplinary approach involving microbiology, product development, flavour and sensory science and increasing social science to determine how the way a food is produced and promoted impacts on its suitability, acceptability and value in the market place.
Phil has worked with a wide range of companies on projects in the dairy, vegetable, seafood, meat, brewing and wine industries.

Prior to becoming a Professor in Food Science, Phil was the Microbiology Programme Manager at the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research, Nelson from 1992 to 2002.

Phil is currently the chair of the leadership team of the New Zealand Food Safety Science Research Centre. He is also a member of The New Zealand Institute of Food Scientists and Technologists (Fellow, 2008, Elected Executive Board Member 2016–2019, Vice President 2019), The New Zealand Association of Food Protection (President 2017–18), The New Zealand Microbiological Society (President 2001–03), and the Ministry of Health’s Infectious Disease Academy.

Professor Bremer is also a steering committee member of Food Waste Innovation, a University of Otago Research Theme which measures food waste, develops reduction strategies, applies innovative technology, and works to modify producer and consumer behaviour.


Phil is available for consultation on a number of areas including:
the development of new food products
ways to enhance the safety, quality or shelf-life of existing products.
microbiological issues in seafood, dairy and vegetable processing industries.
cleaning and sanitising regimes.