Six new research projects on the health benefits of food have received £4 million in funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC).
The research teams will work with 15 industry partners: Campden BRI, Coca-Cola, Danone, DuPont, Leatherhead Food Research, Marks and Spencer, Mondelez, Nabim, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Sainsbury’s, Seafish, Sugar Nutrition, Unilever and Waitrose.
Scientists will investigate how food and drink manufacturers can work to improve the health benefits of their product lines.
The groups will research how diet can affect health matters such as brain function, calorie intake, cholesterol and diabetes.
Funding will come from the Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC), a BBSRC-driven partnership with food and drink companies.
Studies will look into improving people’s knowledge of food choices and eating patterns, how to design foods with health benefits, and how food processing methods can be adapted to produce healthier foods.
“The relationship between our diets and health is vitally important to every individual, to society as a whole,” said Dr Celia Caulcott, executive director for innovation and skills at the BBSRC.
“This research from DRINC has exciting potential to meet the needs of UK consumers and deliver real health, economic and social benefits."
"It is an excellent example of research councils and industry working together to address critical challenges.”
BBSRC and MRC will fund 90% of the six projects; the remainder will come from the afore-mentioned industry partners.
