Singapore and New Zealand Join Forces in Food and Nutrition Research

23 Jun 2014 --- Five research teams which study food and nutrition in Singapore and New Zealand have been selected to receive funding over the next 24 months, according to reports.

Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) said it will match New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) funding of S$1.9m over the next two years to support joint research projects in the area of food and nutrition.

The five teams across both countries will look at areas such as understanding Asian consumer insight and optimizing diets for infant and maternal nutrition. 

A*STAR said with Asia experiencing a boom in its middle class, as seen by increasing disposable incomes and hectic lifestyles, Asian consumers are increasingly placing a greater emphasis on nutrition and its impact on health. Research in food and nutrition has been identified as a key priority for Singapore in the biomedical sciences, it added.

“This new partnership will bring together New Zealand’s expertise in the development and production of nutritious foods, and A*STAR’s strong capabilities in food and nutrition research, to further develop our understanding of the nutritional needs of Asian populations,” said Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR.

The five research projects will commence this month, the agency said.