Context

The adoption of healthier diets, capable of preventing or delaying the development of diet-related diseases, has become a major societal challenge. In this context, health professionals are increasingly recommending the consumption of functional foods, which, in addition to their nutritional aspect, can also have a positive impact on physiological functions and prevent dysfunctions. The market for functional foods is thus booming worldwide, and represents a major economic opportunity. Wallonia has a rich ecosystem of agri-food companies covering the entire functional ingredients value chain: co-product generators, producers and integrators of functional ingredients. However, the functional food industry is highly dependent on its capacity for innovation. The players in this sector therefore need to be integrated and connected to a cross-sector network of research partners, pilot centers and other companies to stimulate innovation, convert research into industrial applications and thus participate in the creation of value in Wallonia.

The value chain on which the FoodBooster SII focuses extends from the collection of co-products generated by the food industry to the consumption of functional foods.