Quakenbrück (DIL). Dr. Volker Heinz (Director of DIL) received the administrative decision regarding the DIL-coordinated research project on improving the safety of packed food products from Ilse Aigner, German Minister of Consumer Protection. The focus of the funding concentrates on the high pressure technology, researched by Dr. Heinz and the DIL for many years. The application of pressure in the range of several thousand bar allows to prolong the shelf life of food without heat treatment while preserving the freshness of the product.

Initiated by the German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL) from Quakenbrück, 12 project partners joined forces. Other research organizations and industrial companies such as Eckes-Granini Group, NORDENIA TECHNOLOGIES as well as the regional companies Ternäben Service from Lembruch and Ahrenshorster Edelfisch from Badbergen are participating in this project.

When presenting the administrative decision last Tuesday in Berlin, Federal Minister Ilse Aigner emphasized that due to changing lifestyles, more and more consumers are relying on food products with a prolonged shelf life. The quality of the products is also important to the consumers. “Not only prolonged shelf life is an essential feature. The trend is turning towards natural food which is gently processed and free from additives. The safety of the consumers has top priority as health risks caused by microbiological contamination of the food must be excluded. To ensure this, we need sophisticated technologies”, said Ms. Aigner.

Dr. Heinz thanked the Federal Minister for the project funding granted and pointed out that the research work on improved food safety at the DIL in general aims at applying less chemical and more physical processes.

According to the Minister, she can imaging that such topics could be included as new projects into the measures announced for March within the scope of the technology support provided by the Ministry of Consumer Protection.

With almost 3m Euro raised funds and more than 4m Euro commercial income, in 2009 the DIL has achieved the best financial result of its history.