Health-enhancing foods in Scotland
Health-enhancing foods are defined as any fresh or processed food that has specific health-promoting and/or disease-preventing properties. Many Scottish companies produce such health-enhancing foods, and a whole range of investment, collaboration, and research and development opportunities exist throughout Scotland.
A growing awareness of the health benefits offered by certain foods continues to drive the growth of a sector worth between £8–18 billion worldwide per annum. Growth of health-enhancing food sales continues to outstrip the main food market, and Scotland has the potential to become a major player in the worldwide industry.
Health-enhancing foods – Scotland's opportunities
Scotland is well placed to support companies looking to develop functional food products through pioneering research and economic development expertise. Opportunities and advantages include:
- Access to locally produced raw materials and ingredients.
- New product development expertise.
- Research and development of new health concepts.
- Fulfilment of UK and other export opportunities.
- The development of therapeutic properties for functional food.
- Personalised nutritional products.
- Life-stage targeted products ranging from pregnancy to old age.
The global obesity problem is increasing interest in weight control, while a demand for anti-ageing products and improved nutrition is also driving growth in the health-enhancing foods market.
Scotland ’s benefits for the health-enhancing foods sector
Businesses and establishments that carry out health-enhancing food activities are located throughout Scotland. Key health-enhancing food sector strengths include the availability of raw materials such as seafood, berries and oats.
A whole range of research and development opportunities relating to health-enhancing foods exist at Scottish universities, research establishments and business organisations. Immediate collaborative opportunities are avialable to source:
- New compounds with novel biomedical and industrial applications.
- Fat replacers with new functional properties.
- Encapsulation technologies and prebiotics.
- Natural bioactive compounds with proven efficacy in humans.
Other benefits for companies operating in the health-enhancing foods sector in Scotland include:
- Commercial experience of the functional food market.
- Developed networks of national and international support.
- Positive perceptions held by consumers about Scottish food and drink.
- Established culture of wholesome food production.
- Complementary pool of world-class research, production and marketing expertise, spin-outs and business skills.
- One of the largest biotechnology clusters in Europe.
- Supportive regulatory environment.
Scottish food and drink are renowned for their quality across the world. Find out more about how the various Scottish food and drink sectors contribute to a vibrant and growing industry.