Functional Foods Center is a research and development center (Dallas, Texas, USA), providing research expertise for further development of functional food innovations.
The Functional Food Center (FFC) combines cutting-edge research expertise in the bio-medical sciences with practical business experience in order to develop and commercialize functional foods for alternative health for human needs. Functional foods are defined by the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academy of Sciences as "foods that encompass potentially healthful products, including any modified foods or food ingredients, that may provide a health benefit beyond the nutrients it contains." Functional foods are not drugs. They are part of a normal daily diet and optimized nutrition recommendations. Functional foods have the potential to diminish disease, promote health, and reduce health care costs.
FFC cooperates with the food industry, biological institutions, and medical institutions to reach scientific conclusions. Our staff includes experts in biochemistry, biophysics, physiology, medicine and food industry.
Functional Food Center is a representative of UNESCO Chair – Life Sciences International Postgraduate Educational Center. We are glad to announce new courses for MS and PhD scholars for the 2010-2011 year. For more information please click here. FFC creates a global network of scientists and functional food experts in an environment conducive to innovative research collaboration. Presently, Functional Food Center providing individual training for the development and analysis of functional food products with bioactive compounds. More information on individual training programs can be provided via email.
FFC focuses on health maintenance and risk reduction of disease by researching, developing, and creating new products, which are mostly composed of naturally occurring substances (i.e. plants.) and developing special diets. The goal is to accelerate the process of commercialization of innovative foodstuffs both in domestic and international markets. We are confirming that the positive impact of functional foods on health must be scientifically tested and proved by independent research and investigation. We are also considering that the usage of functional foods could be provided on the basis of specific diseases, the physiological condition of individuals, and of pre-existing syndromes and symptoms.
Functional Food Center has adopted a new definition of functional foods: "Functional Food is a Natural or processed food that contains known or unknown biologically-active compounds which when indefined quantative and qualitative amounts provides a clinically proven and documented health benefit, and thus, an important source in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic diseases of the modern age".
