Food innovation centre launched

Scotland’s first food innovation centre has opened, based at Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University. 

The Scottish Centre for Food Development & Innovation will support commercially successful research and development within the industry, including companies like Black & Gold rapeseed oil in East Lothian and leaf tea experts, eteaket, in Edinburgh. 

Key aims are to support access to the global market for healthy and functional food, and help companies develop their products for a world stage.

Academic lead for Food & Drink at QMU, Dr Jane McKenzie, said the centre was a “milestone” for the university and Scotland. “Facilities like this are currently unavailable elsewhere in Scotland, so research work is often sent to England or Northern Ireland instead,” she said.

Speaking at the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, 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.”

James Withers, CEO of Scotland Food & Drink, added: “Relationships between the industry and Scotland’s universities are critical. My ambition is this new centre will provide producers with intelligence and support, to help them create exciting new products and in turn find new customers.”

Researchers at the centre will source sustainable raw materials to produce novel ingredients for products. Facilities include a dedicated microbiology laboratory; fully-equipped sensory suite; dedicated chemistry laboratory and a technology room for industry to test new technology. It is estimated a growth in sales of premium health products could be worth an additional £1bn to the Scottish economy by 2017.