Working with Industry

Through our partnership working arrangements we will provide a service to industry developing improved food products, normal food products, functional foods and supplements

• New product design through research and development

• Evaluation through clinical trials to substantiate health claims and gain obligatory EFSA accreditation

• Generate new opportunities to increase profitability

• Identification of opportunities to add value to food products

• Bespoke service for the design and conduct of clinical trials from proof of concept (phase 1) through to phase 3 and 4 clinical trials, in our onsite clinical trials unit:

• Consultancy service to design and undertake weight loss trials

• Quality assurance and determination of the effectiveness of industry and Primary Care Trust’s weight loss services

• An integrated service that can provide laboratory testing, to undertake clinical trials and assess market evaluation for novel compounds within food

• Consultancy services for the identification and the facilitation of the development of niche product areas and Intellectual Property Rights

• Food testing including Glycaemic Index and nutrient profiling

Product Development and Optimisation

Provide leadership to the food industry to encourage innovation and the promotion of health and wealth creation through identifying value added opportunities or new product design.

To enable the substantiation of health claims as required by EU Legislation clinical trials must be conducted on healthy volunteers.  We have the on facilities onsite and the subject population to facilitate trials for one day, several weeks or longer term studies. We have the technical knowledge and experience to conduct all types of clinical trials, including double blind randomised control trials.

knowledge Transfer

The broad range of expertise encompassed within the Functional Food Centre includes education and  sports science as well as clinical expertise, housed within cutting edge clinical facilities. These experts are in a position to add value to your business. This expertise can be used to further enhance existing products; perhaps to a specific market, or to assist with the development of new innovations and research findings in the food, neutraceutical or supplement industries.

Training and Education

The Functional Food Centre offers bespoke training and education packages that include:

• Professional training for the translational conversion of skills gained in a research environment to healthcare, nutrition and dietetics service delivery
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for health care professionals working in this sector
• Development of BSc and MSc course modules on nutrition and functional foods
• Targeted seminars on nutrition and functional foods tailored to industrial and local needs