The government is investing $11 million dollars in a new research project aimed at re-positioning New Zealand as a world leader in the lucrative global food-for-health market.

Source: 1 NEWS

The National Science Challenge initiative will bring together leading scientists from the our universities and research institutes, who'll work closely with food and beverage exporters to maximise greater value for our exports.

Three priority areas are being funded, with a team from Auckland University working to develop foods to help with metabolic health, reducing the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

A team from the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research will look at ways nutrition can improve immune defences against infections and pollution while AgResearch will work to investigate the causes of gut irritability and identify ways to achieve healthy gut function to improve health.

"These research projects are focused on worldwide health concerns that are increasing especially in Asia," says High Value Nutrition Science Director Professor David Cameron-Smith.

"Asia is a region which is becoming wealthier, but not healthier. A change to a western lifestyle and diet is causing a significant increase in heart disease, diabetes, obesity, allergies and intolerances."

Comvita CEO and High-Value Nutrition Industry Advisor Brett Hewlett says New Zealand needs to play it smart and play the niche marketing game of food-for-health and the research will assist harnessing export opportunities in Asia.

"What the New Zealand industry needs to realise is that we are a food bowl but we are in highly competitive markets globally and we need to constantly search for a competitive edge," Mr Hewitt said.

"The speed of change in Asia is frightening and there is a megatrend for consumers to be especially concerned about their food, where it comes from, and can they trust it.

"They are looking to a country like New Zealand and saying here is a trusted source - there is a great opportunity to capitalise on that – deliver safe quality products that deliver health benefits with robust science backing it up."