Food Chemistry 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Food Chemistry submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Food Chemistry? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Food Chemistry, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Food Chemistry review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Food Chemistry has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 9.0, accepts about 25 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Food Chemistry uses Elsevier Editorial Manager at editorialmanager.com/foodchem. Editorial questions go through the Elsevier author portal at support@elsevier.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
Food Chemistry desk-rejects roughly 50 to 60 percent in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A Food Chemistry submission readiness check flags analytical-methods completeness, real-sample validation, and food-relevance gaps that drive most desk rejections.
Food Chemistry's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 50 to 60 percent rejected)
Food Chemistry editors evaluate food-chemistry significance, analytical-methods completeness, and real-sample validation.
Day 0: Editorial Manager upload
The editorialmanager.com/foodchem portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with food-chemistry expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Food Chemistry, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on analytical-methods completeness and real-sample validation.
How Food Chemistry compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | Food Chemistry | Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry | Food Research International | LWT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 50 to 60 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 40 to 50 percent | 30 to 40 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Food-chemistry fundamental and applied | ACS food-chemistry fundamental | Food research with industrial focus | Food science and technology |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your Food Chemistry paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Food Chemistry manuscript fit check flags analytical-methods and real-sample-validation gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Food Chemistry manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Food Chemistry author guidance, Elsevier Editorial Manager portal at editorialmanager.com/foodchem.
The Food Chemistry reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What Food Chemistry asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Analytical methods | Are methods appropriate, validated, and figures-of-merit complete? | Include LOD, LOQ, recovery, precision |
Real-sample validation | Tested on real food matrices, not just standards? | Validate on relevant food samples |
Food relevance | Does the work matter to food chemistry or industry? | Frame around food-quality, safety, or processing decision |
Standards compliance | Methods follow AOAC, ISO, or other standards? | Reference standards explicitly |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce? | Provide detailed protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with Food Chemistry manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Method without food-matrix validation. Tests on standards alone get flagged.
Analytical figures-of-merit incomplete. LOD/LOQ/recovery should all be reported.
Wrong food venue chosen. Food Chemistry competes with JAFC, Food Research International, LWT.
Methodology note
This page was created from Food Chemistry's public author guidance, Elsevier Editorial Manager documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared Elsevier Editorial Manager admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
Food Chemistry reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact the Elsevier portal at support@elsevier.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
A handling editor is evaluating the paper. The journal typically invites two to three reviewers with food-chemistry expertise.
Yes. The 4 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Food Chemistry, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Start here
Same journal, next question
- Food Chemistry Review Time: What Authors Can Actually Expect
- Food Chemistry Submission Process: What Happens From Upload to First Decision
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Food Chemistry
- Is Food Chemistry a Good Journal? Fit Verdict
- Food Chemistry AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for Food Chemistry Authors
- Food Chemistry Pre Submission Checklist: 12 Items Editors Verify Before Peer Review
Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.