Bühler, Nestlé and Givaudan have launched the Future Food Initiative, a joint research programme between Swiss universities and industrial partners which aims to accelerate the development of healthy food products and sustainable packaging.
The initiative will also include Swiss academic institutions such as ETH Zurich and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), bringing together leading academics and industrial partners who specialise in nutritional science and food technology.
According to the partner organisations, the overarching goal of the Initiative is to encourage and further expand food and nutrition research to accelerate the development of healthy food products which leverage consumer trends; intensify the development of sustainable packaging solutions and enhance the ability of consumers to secure access to affordable nutrition.
The first research projects will focus on plant-based nutrition and ancient plant varieties.
Approximately CHF 4.1 million ($4.11 million) has been invested by the industrial partners to form The Future Food Initiative, and the programme includes a postdoctoral fellowship program to promote young scientists.
Stefan Scheiber, CEO of the Bühler Group, said: “We are stepping up as an industry to address challenges in the food value chain.
“Bühler’s ambition is to create innovative and sustainable solutions, partnering with leading research institutes, industrial partners, and promising start-ups in the world of food.”
Stefan Palzer, Nestlé chief technology officer, added: “We accelerate innovation in collaboration with a variety of external partners, including world-class academia, globally leading suppliers and creative start-ups across the world.
“To address open scientific questions and challenges related to food trends and sustainable nutrition is key for us as we create tasty and nutritious food for all age groups.
“As one of the initiators of this important Swiss research initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen the unique Swiss research ecosystem for food and nutrition research.”
Ian Roberts, chief technology officer of the Bühler Group, concludes: “The goals of the initiative align perfectly with our ambition of addressing global challenges of hunger and malnutrition. I would like to thank the ETH Zürich and EPFL for initiating this joint platform.
“We are looking forward to bring on board additional partners into this initiative in the coming years. The initiative will help make Switzerland a global lighthouse for innovation across the food value chain.”
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