In the rapidly evolving food and beverage industry, keeping up with the latest trends is crucial for success. At the forefront of innovation, SUPERLOAF is revolutionizing Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) by utilizing bio-active plant-based compounds and targeted fermentation techniques.
To further enhance this unique method, SUPERLOAF has recently secured an impressive £4m in funding from Innovate UK, the Government’s innovation investment arm. This grant will support the application of their technology in the formulation of various UPFs, such as breakfast cereals, pasta, ready meals, yoghurts, and pastries.
Developed by Modern Baker over the past six years, this funding milestone marks a significant achievement. Known for their dedication to improving nutrition for all, the company’s co-founders, Melissa Sharp and Leo Campbell, are passionate about reshaping the perception of UPFs and making healthier options readily available. Currently, UPFs account for nearly 60% of the calorie intake of people in the UK.
The inspiration for SUPERLOAF came to Sharp during her own battle with breast cancer. Witnessing the abundance of sugary and unhealthy foods served to patients undergoing chemotherapy, she realized the urgent need for change.
Sharp shares, “I was just learning the connection between sugar and cancer and to see in front of me, on a chemo ward of all places, a trolley stacked with chocolate bars, fizzy drinks, and snacks you’d generally associate with a petrol station, was an epiphany. From that moment, we [Sharp and Campbell] committed to doing everything in our power to transform these foods for the better, starting with bread.”
With bread being just the beginning, Modern Baker aims to positively impact one billion diets by 2028. Their flagship product, SUPERLOAF, is already available at Marks & Spencer stores and through online retailer Ocado.
Sharp states, “We founded Modern Baker with a view to broadening our product range. Receiving our sixth consecutive grant from Innovate UK is tremendously encouraging, providing validation for our Alt-Nutrition staples that promote digestive and gut health. This sets the stage for a new era of mass-produced foods: nutritious, beneficial for wellbeing, and sustainable for the planet.”
