The funding is open to any manufacturers looking to improve the nutritional profile of their products – including products that are not in scope of the HFSS regulations.
Scottish SME food and drink manufacturers can apply for up to £5,000 to support reformulation projects that improve the nutritional content of existing products.
Categories in scope include soft drinks with added sugar, confectionery, breakfast cereals, yoghurts and desserts, cakes and biscuits, savoury snacks, pizza, ready meals, chips and other potato products.
Joanne Burns, reformulation for health manager at FDF Scotland, said: “With the Scottish HFSS regulations coming into force this October, reformulation is one of the most effective ways businesses can protect shelf space and promotional activity – while also improving the nutritional content of their products.
“Through our Reformulation for Health Programme, we offer free, confidential support to help manufacturers understand their NPM scores and identify realistic reformulation options. This new round of funding is designed to remove some of the cost and risk involved, and we would strongly encourage Scottish SMEs to take advantage of the support now, ahead of the regulations coming into effect.”
Manufacturers can apply via the NPM Reduction Fund survey or access free support by emailing reformulation@fdfscotland.org.uk.