Some of the UK's biggest food manufacturers are giving University of Ulster students the opportunity to develop new products for them.

The innovative project, which is open to students on the Consumer

Studies BSc course, at the Coleraine campus, was the brainchild of new Visiting Professor and renowned food development expert, Grainne Allen.

She persuaded six manufacturers - Bakkavor, Daniels, SK Food, Oscar Mayer, Irwins and Little Dish - to take part in the project involving first year students.

Grainne said: "This is a very exciting project where, for the first

time, food manufacturers are giving students real briefs to work on and we’ve got some of the biggest names in the UK involved. "These companies develop food products for Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks and Spencer.

"The students will have to be creative but also business-minded. They will be split into groups of four and each group will have a mentor from the company working with them.

"The students will sign non-disclosure agreements so that they maintain confidentiality. They will have to negotiate budgets, liaise directly with management teams from their allocated company and deliver comprehensive product strategies for areas as wide ranging as children's food to bakery. There is the possibility that if these products are good enough, they could be developed and be on the shelves in the future," she said.

Head of Department, Dr Una McMahon-Beattie said: “Thanks to the hard work of our new Visiting Professor and Course Director, our students are being given opportunities to connect with people in the industry and work on live projects, with all the invaluable experience that brings.

"We are very fortunate to have Grainne Allen working with us. She has a unique level of experience across a broad spectrum which includes chilled, frozen, produce, baby food and confectionery and has run many multi-million pound product strategies in retail, manufacturing, food service and brand," she said.

(BMcC)