Due to be held in Auckland on November 16, New Zealand's 10th annual functional foods symposium will focus on baby boomers, and the nutritional approaches that can benefit an aging population.

A certain level of financial assistance will be available for UK researchers who wish to pursue an R&D collaboration with a New Zealand entity with an eventual aim of commercialising the result. Decisions on funding are due to be taken once “a reasonable number of applications” are received.

Tracks at this year’s conference include nutritional approaches to digestive health and brain health, as well as the role of calcium, vitamin D and salt in reducing hypertension, stroke and osteoporosis. Another session will address the protective role of vitamin D against chronic diseases, and that of omega-3 against stroke.

More information can be found here. More information on the commercially-orientated R&D can be obtained from NZ High Commission on the e-mail Steve.Thompson@fco.gov.uk.