Food processing and storage require optimum conditions to achieve desired material characteristics and extended shelf life. Understanding food material properties and their phase and state transitions and impact on food processing and storage is fundamental. Reaction kinetics define changes in processing and storage and include browning reactions, oxidation, enzymatic changes and physical changes. The physical state and glass transition data provide parameters for quality control. Such data are particularly useful with state diagrams to model production and storage of low-water and frozen food materials.