Organizers

Functional foods forum

Functional foods forum (fff), as an independent special unit of the University of Turku, brings together the multidisciplinary expertise for the research and development of high-quality safe foods to promote human health and well-being.
fff combines leading-edge research expertise in natural, health and medical sciences with technological, legal and business know-how in order to develop and commercialise functional foods for human needs.
Activities:
· Independent research programs
· Multidisciplinary expertise in food and health
· Tailor-made research and development projects
· Commercialisation and internationalisation assistance

The center is actively organising academic and industrial scientific projects together with other international and national top research units. The Finnish research and development network and the international contacts are actively exploited.

More information:
Director prof. Seppo Salminen, seppo.salminen@utu.fi
Ms. Anna Hillgrén, anna.hillgren@utu.fi, http://fff.utu.fi

FunctionalFoodNetwork

The European FunctionalFoodNet (FFNet) project began its activities in January 2006 in more than 20 European countries and will conclude in December 2007. The network is focused mainly on SMEs and larger companies producing functional foods and food ingredients.
Project Goals:
· Technology and information transfer to non competing participating companies on new scientific research outcomes on functional foods, on European and national markets, and on the legal aspects of functional food production and claims in Europe
· Proactive networking of non-competing companies thereby establishing new collaborations and business relationships throughout Europe
· Forming a collaborative platform of European food and ingredient companies, scientists/technologists, health professionals, marketing and innovation specialists
· Establishing follow-on projects with companies on specific aspects of functional foods

More information:
Coordinator Mr. Finn Holm, finn.holm@FoodGroup.dk, http://www.functionalfoodnet.org

Finnish Centre of Expertise Programme, Food Development Cluster

The Food Development Cluster helps the Finnish food industry to develop new, healthy and safe food products.

The strategic goals for the Food Development Cluster are:
1. The competitiveness of the Finnish food industry both in Finland and internationally
2. The wellbeing of the consumers

The main areas of the operation:
1. Research, development and commercialisation of healthy foods
2. Building up new services that take into account the diverse needs of different consumer groups
3. Development of risk management and safety within the food chain

More information:
Functional Foods Forum, Ms. Marjo Mäkinen-Aakula, marjo.makinen-aakula@utu.fi
Foodwest Ltd., Ms. Salme Haapala, salme.haapala@foodwest.fi
Technology Centre Teknia Ltd., Ms. Anneli Tuomainen, anneli.tuomainen@teknia.fi
Viikki Food Centre, Ms. Tiina Piilo, tiina.piilo@helsinki.fi
Coordinator Mr. Jukka Lähteenkorva, jukka.lahteenkorva@foodwest.fi
http://www.elintarvikekehitys.fi