The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has provided £30,000 of funding for 12 Scottish consumer companies to make their products healthier.
The investment, which comes as the second round of the organisation’s ‘Reformul8’ Challenge Fund, will be provided by the government-support Scotland Food and Drink Recovery Plan.
It is set to see the businesses reformulate their recipes to increase the variety of healthy options available across the country.
The producers include well-known national brands such as J.G. Ross, Shore Seaweed, We Hae Meat, Bells and Peacock Salt.
According to the organisation, it will help companies mitigate the costs of development, including technical support, nutritional testing, experimentation with new ingredients and production capacity.
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The FDF confirmed that the initiative allows for an increase in fruit, fibre and vegetables within foods, or for a reduction in levels of fat, salt and sugar.
Food manufacturers will also have the option to recommend cooking techniques, serving suggestions or portion sizes to hit the funding mandate.
According to the industry body, the second wave of its Reformul8 programme received 25 applications, following an oversubscribed first launch at the end of 2020.
“At the end of last year we launched the first Reformul8 Challenge Fund,” FDF Scotland reformulation for health manager Joanne Burns said.
“It was oversubscribed, and I was keen to offer additional funding to support even more businesses to make their products healthier.
“Funding from the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership Recovery Plan … allowed us to launch a second call for funding in August.
“I am excited to be working with the successful 12 businesses.
“These projects will … improve dietary health in communities across Scotland.”
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