Manitoba's Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals Targets $70 Billion Health Industry Segment

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). The 55,000-square-foot Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (RCFFN) building that is now rising on the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Manitoba) is the first of its kind in Canada, with more expected to follow worldwide. Functional foods and nutraceuticals are becoming significantly important within the health and food industry. Current world consumption of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural health products is estimated at $70 billion annually and has been projected to reach $500 billion by 2010. In addition, there is growing evidence that significant health care savings can be achieved through disease prevention and the use of alternative therapies, such as nutraceuticals.

Gap Measurement - At mid-year, a positive increase in project spending activity for the Pharamaceutical & Biotech Industry can be seen for the Canadian territories. The original forecast of (46) projects valued at $846.71 million, has been adjusted to (43) projects valued at $894.7 million. The adjustment represents a 5.67% increase in project activity schedule to kick-off in 2005.

Designed by Stantec Architecture (Winnipeg, Manitoba), the RCFFN will accommodate over forty scientific researchers from a number of disciplines, including pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, and human nutrition, all charged with developing new food products or nutraceuticals, that will improve the quality of life. The researchers will focus on crops from the region, such as oats, wheat, canola, and flax in order to identify and then enhance their beneficial bioactive compounds.

The teams will develop both functional foods and nutraceuticals using these compounds, as well as devise the necessary supporting production processes. Another aspect of the work conducted will be convincing the public to accept these modified food products as a valuable addition to their daily health program.

M.D. Steele, a Winnipeg-based general contractor, is handling the construction of RCFFN, which is located in the Smart Park section of the campus. The $25 million project is expected to be complete later this year.

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