To achieve impactful changes in an area as complex and interconnected as our food system, multi-disciplinary research and innovation in food and diet are key. Collaborations between academia and industry have significant potential to develop innovative approaches. Particularly as this sector can ensure that research advances are translated into healthier products or improved nutritional support. For instance, efforts could focus on enhancing the nutritional quality of mainstream food and drink products or developing specialised products to alleviate nutritional deficiencies or support patients with specific illnesses.

Although industry can play a vital and impactful role in translating and delivering research on nutrition and health, this role is rightly subject to scrutiny. The involvement of industry has sparked debate but whilst such collaborations may have challenges, collaborations remain important. Many have advocated for an agreed code of practice between research and industry to help ensure the independence of research optimising the role of industry. Framework guidelines for the management and conduct of such nutrition-related research have been published, and include resources like the Food Research Risk (FoRK) guidance and toolkit developed by researchers at the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge, the EU Code of Practice and the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Science Guiding Principles.

  1. The Food Research Risk (FoRK) guidance and toolkit aims to support researchers, funders and editors of academic journals in making decisions about whether and how to interact with commercial food sector organisations at all stages of the research process.
  2. The European Commission’s Code of Practice on industry-academia co-creation. This Code of Practice provides practical guidance for researchers and innovators to create successful partnerships.
  3. An Updated Framework for Industry Funding of Food and Nutrition Research: Managing Financial Conflicts and Scientific Integrity. Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Science Updated Guiding Principles for Funding Food Science and Nutrition Research aims to provide a modernized framework for minimizing bias and promoting integrity in industry-funded research.

Why not find out more in Collaborative synergies—Routes to unlock the potential of industry–academic partnerships, the new Editorial published in Nutrition Bulletin from Dr Stella Peace, Executive Director for Healthy Living and Agriculture, Innovate UK