Wuxi to promote technological innovation on special food

The National Market Regulation Technology Innovation Center (Special Food), which will be built in Wuxi National Hi-tech District, was approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation, local government officials announced on Sept 9.

With a total investment of 800 million yuan ($124.12 million), the innovation center will be built in the Life Sciences Park in WND, covering 8,000 square meters. Its 4,000-sqm pilot plant will include three pilot production lines for powder, liquid, and extrusion, covering the research and development of special food raw materials, as well as multiple production processes and product formulations.

The innovation center will start operation in June 2022. It will be the first technology innovation center for the special food industry in China.

Special food refers to food that is processed according to special formulas to meet the needs of specific population groups like infants and patients, such as infant milk powder and postoperative nutritional solutions. In 2020, the Wuxi Food Safety Inspection and Testing Center teamed with Jiangnan University to apply for the establishment of the center in Wuxi.

Wuxi is home to a number of enterprises in the special food industry, such as Sino-Sweden Pharmaceutical Co and Nutricia. The enteral nutrition products produced in the city accounts for nearly 90 percent of the domestic market.