The University of Helsinki is headed by FOODNUTRI, an
The FOODNUTRI research infrastructure received EUR 3.5 million in funding from the Academy of Finland. The three-year project is led by Marina Heinonen, Professor of Food Safety at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
The funding is based on the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the state’s sustainable growth program. RRF-funded projects contribute to digitalisation and the achievement of green transition goals.
In addition to the University of Helsinki, the project involves the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Southeast Finland (Xamk), the Natural Resources Center, the Finnish Food Safety Authority, the Finnish Environment Institute, VTT Technical Research Center Finland, the Department of Health and Welfare and the University of Turku.
“The purpose of the FOODNUTRI infrastructure is to serve the entire national food system extensively. A common infrastructure for research equipment and tools, as well as the research data produced, including databases, is not only resource efficient, but also productive in terms of our common goals for sustainable development, ”says the professor. Marina Heinonen.
The FOODNUTRI research infrastructure contributes to the implementation of the EU’s Food 2030 policy, taking into account the Finnish government’s vision: “In 2030, Finnish consumers will eat tasty, healthy and safe Finnish food that is prepared sustainably and ethically. Consumers have the ability and opportunity to make informed choices. ”
FOODNUTRI produces innovative solutions
The project makes extensive use of Finnish raw materials and new technical solutions for processing and packaging, and produces information on the composition, structure and safety of food and its ingredients, physiological reactions to food, consumer attitudes, food consumption, nutrient intake and sustainability of food choices.
“The preparation of the projects was given a lot of support by various stakeholders, who are also consulted at different stages of the project,” says Heinonen.
FOODNUTRI serves researchers, businesses, authorities, healthcare professionals, farmers and other stakeholders.
“FOODNUTRI creates a service concept that provides the wider community with access to equipment under certain conditions. This access may involve the use of individual visiting researchers or paid activities. As an example of a data set, we use the national food composition database Fineli The Department of Health and Welfare maintains the development and maintenance of which we have received funding. The aim is also to combine nutrition-related information with models used to assess environmental stress, Heinonen says.
Viikki Food Design Factory (VFDF) and other innovation platforms coordinated by FOODNUTRI partners form a significant resource in the development of the FOODNUTRI service concept.
The infrastructure comprises seven research platforms:
- Food processing
- Characterization of food
- Food safety
- Physiological reactions to food
- Sensory and consumer research
- Food consumption and nutrient intake
- Environmental sustainability and footprint
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of the bulletins sent to EurekAlert! through the participating institutions or through the EurekAlert system.