Singapore, New Zealand collaborate to study nutrition

Food research in Asia’s food hub.

It is known that some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies have strategically based their research operations in Singapore, where the multi-ethnic population is a plus for weighing consumer preferences.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) announced this morning that they are venturing in joint research projects to foster further cooperation between researchers from both countries and advance Singapore’s research in food and nutrition science.

According to the announcement, the boom in Asia’s middle class has seen a rise in disposable incomes and more hectic lifestyles hence a greater concern for health and nutrition.

Here’s more from the report:

To reach out to the Asian market, some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies have based their research operations in Singapore, leveraging on its position as a hub for Asia and the ability for its multi-ethnic population to provide valuable insight into consumer preferences. As an export destination, Asia also forms approximately 40 percent of New Zealand’s F&B exports by value. 

New Zealand has established itself internationally as a leader in agri-food research across a wide range of areas. With a global reputation for high standards of food quality, safety and traceability, New Zealand has also put in place key infrastructure that will aid the development of the food and beverage industry. Its scientific research in F&B is supported by a network of government research institutes like AgResearch, and institutes of higher learning, such as Massey Universtiy, the University of Auckland, and the University of Otago.