700612Modern Baker – Innovative Functional Food ProductsClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKModern Baker Ltd is a rapidly growing UK manufacturer and retailer specialising in fermented, organic health foods. In the proposed project it is seeking to evaluate the feasibility of developing its own branded range of organic products using novel, scalable fermentation methodologies tailored to unique, UK sourced ingredients. The company believes that its new product range could be strongly differentiated by an innovative combination of novel manufacturing (including proprietary culture selection), exclusively UK sourced functional ingredients and unique packaging and product design. Whilst continuing to adhere to three core principles that match with prevailing consumer demands – great taste, naturally nutritious and clear provenance (>95% organic, fully traceable) – Modern Baker also intends that its products have international, mass-market potential. Existing products that have been developed specifically for the Free From market, such as gluten-free (GF) breads, have struggled to achieve scalability, in part because of inferior palatability in comparison with conventional wheat bread and their low baking performance (which leads to high cost of goods and restricted product availability). Modern Baker intends to capitalise on recent scientific evidence and consumer feedback that suggests that sourdough (& a return to fermentation / cultured foods) could be the “platform technology” for products with improved quality, nutritional properties and shelf life; sourdough baked products require substantially fewer ingredients than conventionally produced equivalents (which require additional yeast, gluten, fats, reducing agents, soya flour, emulsifiers, preservatives and other (often enzymatic) processing aids). In the proposed project, Modern Baker intends to evaluate the market potential for its pioneering product range via extensive market research and engagement with prospective customers, collaborators and suppliers.