A cutting-edge facility for new product development and innovation for food and drink businesses in the Greater London Area has officially opened at the University of West London (UWL).
The West London Food Innovation Lab, a £1.5 million project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, offers London and Greater London start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) advice and technical support crucial for new product development or product reformulation, providing a range of laboratory services ranging from nutritional and texture analysis to sensory evaluation.
More than 30 London-based small businesses have already benefitted from the head-start given to them by the expertise of the team, which is led by Professor Alexandros Paraskevas, Chair in Hospitality Management at the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism. The launch event showcased some of the companies whose products have already benefited from the lab’s services, including a rice-based dairy-free yoghurt, a crunchy-roasted cricket snack in three flavours, a range of cold-brew teas and a plant-based jerky.