Reading showcases the future of food at major conference

Monday, 26 February 2018

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell addresses the conference.

Europe’s leading food companies and researchers met in Reading last week as part of a European research scheme of more than £1bn (€1.6bn).

For three days (21-23 February), some of the food industry’s leading companies, universities, and scientific partners from across Europe gathered in Reading to discuss innovative new projects designed to change how we produce and eat food.

The projects were discussed at a conference run by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food, in collaboration with the University of Reading.

Members of the EIT Food group are aiming to develop a range of initiatives designed to put Europe at the centre of a global revolution in food innovation and production, and its value in society. EIT Food will engage consumers in the change process, improve nutrition and make the food system more resource-efficient, secure, transparent and trusted. Spread over seven years, the partners will invest close to €1.2 billion matched with up to €400 million financed by the EIT.

During the conference, food sector representatives discussed the development of new projects in the area of education, innovation, business creation and consumer outreach. They also visited the University’s food research facilities, which included tours of our facilities and meeting many of our leading academics exploring topics as diverse as turning food waste into fuel, and making healthier dairy products.

Professor Steve Mithen, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said:

“It is an honour to host Europe’s most distinguished food professionals at the University of Reading. Our food system is increasingly connected across borders and requires close collaboration between researchers and industry to solve problems linked to poor diet and health.

“The University of Reading has a long history of successful engagement with the food industry, and we look forward to helping solve some of the biggest problems facing the food sector.”

The University of Reading hosted a third day in addition to the conference at its campuses and research farms, after two days of meetings in Reading for project partners.

Reading academics are already closely involved with 14 projects funded through EIT Food, including:

Reducing the saturated fat and carbon footprint of dairy products
Providing free educational resources on ‘superfoods’
Creating sugar-reduced biscuits and cakes that don’t compromise on flavor or texture

For more information on our role in EIT Food, please see our original 2016 announcement.