€26m for Eldery Functional Foods Initiative
15 Mar 2011
J Valverde
The Spanish government has announce the support a functional foods initiative (SENIFOOD) targeting health issues suffered by elderly people. Among the health concerns the initiative will study metabolic syndrome, bone, muscle, gastrointestinal and visual health. Other areas such as cognitive function and neurodegenerative disorders will be also explored.
The scheme unites academia and industry and is funded partially by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (50%) and the rest of the investment is done by main players in industry including four ingredients suppliers (Naturex, Biopolis, Bioiberica and Nutrafur) and seven food companies (Campofrio, Central Lechera Asturiana, Tutti Pasta, Mugala Innova, Laboratories Ordesa, Bodegas Mataaomera and Custom Drinks). The project kicked off last year and according to Nutraingredients website will address four main priorities;
(1) Definition of foods and diets eaten by the elderly
(2) Developement of existing and new ingredients
(3) Developement of new products for the eldery market
(4) Validating in vivo, in vitro and clinical trial data
According to OECD the life expectancy at age 65 has increased significantly among both women and men over the past several decades in all EU countries. Some of the factors explaining the gains in life expectancy at age 65 include advances in medical care combined with greater access to health care, healthier lifestyles and improved living conditions before and after people reach age 65.Gains in longevity at older ages in recent decades in EU countries, combined with the trend reduction in fertility rates are contributing to a steady rise in the proportion of older persons in EU countries. Whether longer life expectancy is accompanied by good health and functional status among ageing populations has important implications for health and long-term care systems. Therefore this could represent a rsignificant share of the future functional foods market in Europe.
