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A new healthy food product created in Nottingham has earned an innovation award for the company that developed it.
Soda-Lo, which has huge market potential as a healthier natural alternative to standard salt, was recognised as an outstanding product at the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards.
The company that developed it, eminate Ltd, won the CenFRA Award for ‘Most Innovative Research Project’ at the ceremony.
eminate Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The University of Nottingham based at BioCity, was recognised for the successful manipulation of salt crystals that resulted in the development of a new ingredient for the food industry known as Soda-Lo.
Soda-Lo enables a reduction in salt use of between 25 and 50 percent across a wide range of food products. This has been achieved by altering the size, form and structure of salt particles in order to increase their saltiness, thereby reducing the amount of salt needed to achieve the same flavour profile.
The award judges said: “We were impressed by this research project as it has provided a new product that can reduce salt use in the food sector. We also feel that there could be a national need for this type of product specifically in addressing key issues facing the food sector such as the health agenda.”
Soda-Lo’s crystals are ultra-fine, thanks to new technology developed by eminate. Because the size of each crystal is reduced, the overall surface area of the salt is increased — and so is the salty taste. One shake gives the same taste as two shakes of conventional salt, so you can enjoy the same taste with half the sodium.
Soda-Lo is also a ‘clean label’ product — in contrast to other low-sodium products which rely on the replacement of sodium chloride with potentially more harmful ingredients, such as potassium and magnesium.
Dr Roger Carline, Chief Executive Officer of eminate, said: “We are delighted to have won this award. The success of Soda-Lo in reducing salt in foods naturally without losing flavour has exceeded even our expectations. We sincerely hope that the award will bring better awareness of the product so greater use of Soda-Lo in our foods can help improve everyone’s heart health.”
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.
Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said: “I’d like to congratulate all the very worthy winners in the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010, who illustrate the diverse and exciting range of innovation opportunities that are being developed in the East Midlands.”
For more information on the awards see: www.eminnovation.org.uk/food
eminate is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The University of Nottingham, launched in 2006. From its BioCity facilities, eminate provides a range of advanced technologies and services focused on materials for the healthcare and food sectors.
For more information on eminate see: www.eminate.co.uk
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Notes to editors:
eminate is a leader in the application of technology for health, providing solutions for the food and pharmaceutical industries. eminate sells food products, ingredients and development capability. Its products are developed from its own unique expertise and that of its development partners which focus on the delivery or impact of ingredients or functional components and improve the efficiency of equipment.
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