Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland has launched funding that aims to help Scottish food and drink manufacturers make their food healthier.
This is the eighth round of funding facilitated by FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health programme, with the Reformul8 Challenge Fund provided by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Scotland Food & Drink.
The fund is open to small and medium sized food and drink businesses across Scotland – with up to £5,000 available for each successful business. FDF Scotland said it can be used to support projects that reduce the fat, sugar, salt or calorie content or that increase fibre, wholegrain, or fruit and vegetable content in recipes.
The funding can be spent on any part of the reformulation process, including trialling ingredients, seeking product development consultant advice, and carrying out laboratory analysis. Successful applicants will also receive free support from FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health team.
To date, 92 SME food and drink businesses have been supported through £374,000 of funding facilitated by the Reformulation for Health Programme, including Aulds Delicious Desserts, Simon Howie and Taylors Food Group.
Joanne Burns, FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health manager, said: “Financial support to assist the food industry in developing healthier food is essential to improving the health of Scotland’s people. I thank Food Standards Scotland and Scotland Food & Drink for their ongoing commitment to the programme.
“Whether your business is looking to improve your Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) score to meet non-HFSS criteria, achieve salt reduction targets or address retailer and consumer request for healthier products – don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for funding to help you manage each innovative stage of your reformulation journey.”
“Evidence shows reformulation, such as reducing portion size or calories, is one of the most effective ways the food industry can contribute towards improving dietary health in Scotland.”
Joe Hind, head of programmes & policy for Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Reformul8 Challenge Fund is a fantastic opportunity for Scottish food and drink businesses to find new and innovative ways to make their products healthier.
“With the Scottish Government recently announcing that it will align regulations around the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) with England and Wales, now is the ideal time for producers to consider reformulation and recipe development, finding new ways to make the products we know and love better for us. We’ve already seen so many great examples of reformulation with previous years of the Fund, and we’re looking forward to seeing what comes next.”
Laura Wilson, head of Public Health Nutrition at FSS, said: “We need to rebalance the food environment towards food that is healthy, available, and affordable, and reformulation is a key piece of this puzzle. FSS is delighted to support food manufacturers in Scotland to engage in reformulating their products as evidence shows reformulation, such as reducing portion size or calories, is one of the most effective ways the food industry can contribute towards improving dietary health in Scotland.
“Creating a food environment where healthier food is in reach of everyone is essential for improving our health, and this fund can support business to take steps to contribute to this.”
Food businesses have until 5th September 2025 to apply for the fund.
