Food and drink companies apply biotechnology, analytical science and research to improve food production, safety, quality and sustainability. The sector supports innovation across agriculture, ingredients, nutrition and manufacturing.
This category includes companies working on:
Browse 54 UK food and drink life science companies below.
Analytical testing, development and training for pharma and food sectors
Reading Scientific Services (RSSL) is a contract research organisation based at the University of Reading, providing analytical testing, product development, consultancy and training to pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and food and consumer goods companies. Its GMP and ISO 17025-accredited laboratories offer…
Spectroscopy-based food authentication and adulteration detection testing
Bia Analytical is a food authentication testing laboratory providing spectroscopy and data science-based methods to detect adulteration in food ingredients. The company uses FTIR and NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to authenticate herbs, spices, and other high-value ingredients, supporting food producers,…
Automated cell culture platform and stem cell lines for biomanufacturing
Unicorn Biotechnologies is a Sheffield-based company developing automated cell culture instruments and stem cell line products for research and biomanufacturing applications. Its platform is a modular, closed-loop cell culture robot that standardises and scales cell culture workflows across drug discovery,…
Colour-changing biochemical swabs for rapid contamination screening
FreshCheck develops patented colour-changing biochemical swabs for rapid verification of surface hygiene in food production and other facilities. Its Hygiene Verification System detects residual microbial and organic contamination, delivering a visual result within seconds without laboratory instrumentation. A…
Developer and manufacturer of clinically proven prebiotic ingredients
Clasado Biosciences is a UK-based developer and manufacturer of a proprietary galactooligosaccharide prebiotic ingredient, backed by over 125 scientific publications and more than 20 clinical trials. Operating exclusively as a B2B ingredient supplier, the company serves global supplement, functional food, beverage,…
Functionalised food proteins and sustainable ingredient technologies
Nandi Proteins is an industrial biotechnology company developing functional food ingredients from plant and animal proteins. Its processing technology modifies protein functionality to improve emulsification, binding and fat-replacement performance. Products and development programmes include collagen-based meat and…
Algal biotechnology company developing Chlorella-based food ingredients
Algenuity Limited is an algal biotechnology company that develops and supplies Chlorella-based ingredients for food and beverage manufacturers. Using proprietary strain engineering and heterotrophic fermentation, the company produces white Chlorella, a neutral-coloured, allergen-free, protein-rich ingredient suitable…
Alternative protein research, education and academic collaboration network
Cambridge University Alt Protein Project is a student-led ecosystem organisation connecting researchers, students and entrepreneurs working on alternative proteins. It supports education and collaboration across cultivated meat, plant-based foods and fermentation through workshops, academic mapping and scientific…
Mycelium fermentation technology for whole-cut meat alternatives
Adamo Foods is an industrial biotechnology company developing whole-cut meat alternatives from fungal mycelium. Its proprietary MyoFerm fermentation process produces naturally fibrous fungal biomass that can be formed into steaks and fillets using a small number of added ingredients. The company combines bioreactor…
Microbial food-waste treatment integrated with robotic handling
Vuala is an industrial biotechnology and robotics company developing on-site food-waste treatment equipment. Its systems combine microorganisms with automated handling and separation to process mixed food waste into a stabilised organic feedstock suitable for downstream energy recovery. Robotics manage bin lifting,…
Precision fermentation platform producing sustainable palm oil alternatives
Sun Bear Biofuture is an industrial biotech company developing a precision fermentation platform to produce sustainable alternatives to palm oil. Using engineered yeast strains and agricultural side streams as feedstock, the company produces oils with functional properties comparable to palm oil, targeting food…
UK distributor of microbiology equipment and consumables for laboratory testing
Trafalgar Scientific is a UK distributor of laboratory and microbiological equipment and consumables, serving the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, water, and clinical diagnostics sectors. The company supplies rapid test kits, culture media, hygiene monitoring systems, filtration equipment, and allergen…
Microfluidics-based filtration systems for scalable biomanufacturing
uFraction8 is a Scottish developer of microfluidics-based filtration systems for bio-manufacturers. Its technology uses hydrodynamic phenomena to separate cells and biomass from culture liquids, offering an energy-efficient and scalable alternative to conventional centrifugation, membrane filtration, and flocculation.…
Enzymatic biofuel cells generating renewable electricity from wastewater
Pipeline Organics is an industrial biotechnology company developing enzymatic fuel cell technology to generate renewable electricity from liquid organic waste. Its product uses enzyme biochemistry and 3D-printed cell architecture to convert the chemical potential of wastewater into continuous, low-carbon electricity.…