Scotland gets first Centre for Food Development & Innovation

Scotland’s first Centre for Food Development & Innovation has opened at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh.

The new centre is expected to boost Scotland’s position in food and drink innovation in Europe and support access to the global market for healthy and functional food.

The centre offers various facilities such as a dedicated microbiology laboratory, fully equipped sensory suite, dedicated chemistry laboratory, and a technology room for industry to test new technology.

Commenting on the launch of the new centre, Scottish Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland’s food and drink sectors are internationally recognised for their quality, many of the most famous products having a long history and unique sense of identity. The work of the centre is helping those companies evolve to meet new demand, develop new products and diversify into new markets, particularly lucrative export opportunities.

"Despite having a long history of collaboration with the food and drink industry, in the past three years alone, QMU’s innovation based engagements with SMEs in the sector have generated an estimated extra £5.7m for the businesses it has worked with."

Bank of Scotland published the third annual survey of Scotland’s food and drink sector, in which, more than half the companies expect their business to grow by 25% over the next five years.

Academic lead for food and drink at QMU Dr Jane McKenzie, said: "We’re really excited to have reached this significant milestone in the development of QMU’s Scottish Centre for Food Development & Innovation. Facilities like this are currently unavailable elsewhere in Scotland, so research work is often sent to England or Northern Ireland instead.

"The new facilities combined with QMU’s academic knowledge and expertise in food, nutrition and biological sciences is already offering companies in Scotland’s food and drink industry an unrivalled opportunity to innovate and develop new products, which are underpinned by QMU’s scientific research."

QMU is known for its academic expertise in the translation and application of science to support commercially successful research and development within the industry, including research support for iQ Chocolate in Stirling, Gusto artisan dressings, marinades and oil and vinegars in Leith, Edinburgh; Black & Gold rapeseed oil in East Lothian; leaf tea experts, eteaket, in Edinburgh; Cuddybridge fruit juices in East Lothian, Belhaven Fruit Farm in East Lothian and The Chocolate Tree chocolatier in East Lothian.

QMU’s team of food innovation specialists are also identifying innovative sources of raw materials to produce novel ingredients and ensure sustainability; ingredients to improve product processing and preservation; nutritional analysis; shelf life testing; consumer focus groups and taste panels.

Stressing on the importance of food and drink industry, Scotland Food & Drink CEO James Withers said: "The food and drink industry is one of the strongest performing sectors in Scotland’s economy. Our £14bn industry rests on a growing reputation for producing quality products and an envied flair for innovation.

"However, we know there is always more to be done to ensure Scotland’s producers adapt to a fast-changing world and the Scotland Food & Drink partnership is working towards the launch of a new innovation action plan in 2015.

"Relationships between the industry and Scotland’s universities are critical. My ambition is that this new centre will provide producers with intelligence and support, to help them create exciting new products and in turn find new customers.

"With Scottish food and drink exports up 50% since 2007 and sales within the UK up by more than a third, we have real momentum. But competition is always fierce so innovation will be fundamental to staying ahead of the pack."