Seeking Collaboration to understand phenomenon leading to the creation of 3-MCPD in pre fried food products

  • Nomad Foods
  • From United Kingdom
  • Responsive
  • Project Size Range : 0 - 50,000 €
  • Deadline completed
    The submission process for new proposals is closed. Proposals submitted before the deadline will follow the standard evaluation process.

Desired outcome

Seeking Collaboration to understand phenomenon leading to the creation of 3-MCPD in pre fried food products and implement solutions to limit and control their level. We are looking to collaborate with individuals, companies or academic institutions:
- to develop our knowledge of the parameters leading to the creation of 3-MCPD esters in our industrial conditions
- to develop predictive models & lab scale test methods to facilitate product design, assess risk & define processing parameters
- to implement process-control solutions at the industrial scale, preferably within a 2 year timeframe

Nature of collaboration is to be negotiated.

Nomad Foods

Details of the Innovation Need

Background

3-MCPD esters are contaminants formed when vegetable oils are heated above 185 °C in the presence of chloride

EU food regulations require that the Total Daily Intake (TDI) does not exceed 2 µg/ kg body weight. Based on this requirement we have specified that the maximum level of 3-MCPD esters in a portion of fried food to be consumed as part of the main meal should not exceed 50% of the TDI, which is lower for children due to their reduced body weight.

The levels regarded as acceptable by some consumer orgaisations are somewhat lower & approaching the level of detection.

Extensive factory-based studies have been conducted to try to understand & limit the generation of 3-MCPDs during the industrial frying process. Factors known to be important include:

  1. the temperature of the oil & how the oil is heated
  2. the product composition
  3. the level & type of salt in the recipe
  4. the presence of any catalysts

Based on these studies, the levels of 3-MCPDs generated have been significantly reduced but are not entirely predictable & occasionally levels are observed that are unexplainable & higher than desirable.

Related Keywords

  • Agriculture and Marine Resources
  • Agrofood Industry
  • Technologies for the food industry
  • Food quality and safety
  • Micro- and Nanotechnology related to agrofood
  • Measurements and Standards
  • Measurement Tools
  • Consumer related
  • Food and Beverages
  • Industrial Products
  • Industrial Services

About Nomad Foods

Manufacturer of frozen foods, with 20 production plants, ~8000 employees.. A European Frozen pureplay with a long runway for growth and value creation. Strong commitment to innovation with Central and Regional R&D capacity.

Nomad Foods

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