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Facts & Figures

  • A company limited by guarantee, with charitable status (registration number 1058499). IFR is an Institute of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
  • A staff of 215 complemented by many visiting scientists and postgraduate students each year from all parts of the world, who visit IFR for collaborative research and training.
  • Impartial, multidisciplinary science of acknowledged international status on issues relevant to diet and health, food safety, and food quality.
  • An output of about 300 scientific papers, posters and presentations by staff each year.
  • Extensive contacts with universities and research institutes in the UK and overseas.
  • Based on the Norwich Research Park, with the University of East Anglia, John Innes Centre, and Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital nearby.
  • A support system for industry via ‘IFR Extra’, a rapid contract research and trouble shooting service, the ‘Food and Health Network’, a unique opportunity for discussion between stakeholders (often with opposing views) and our research base, and FHN Direct for detailed 1:1 confidential discussions.
  • Memoranda of Understanding with several major research organisations, such as The Rowett Institute of Nutrition & Health (University of Aberdeen) and New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd to develop scientific exchanges and collaborative research.
  • A Governing Body chaired by Professor Peter Lillford, with a well balanced membership of distinguished scientists, business and consumer experts and two sub-committees - a Finance and General Purposes Committee (which with the Chairman acts as the Audit Committee) and a Science Committee.
  • A broad customer base, that includes UK government departments, European Commission, research councils, industry and consumer groups, generating an annual income of approximately £14 million.
  • Many collaborative projects with UK, European and overseas industrial and research partners and one-to-one confidential projects with a range of food companies.
  • Wide-ranging links including membership of the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee, and the Parliamentary Food & Health Forum.
  • Contributor to public awareness of science initiatives through media interaction, publication of food information leaflets, collaboration with education-enrichment providers, such as the Teacher-Scientist Network, and collaboration on science communication projects.
  • The Operations Centre provides administrative and support services to IFR and the John Innes Centre, Sainsbury Laboratory and the BBSRC Genome Analysis Centre.
  • All research involving human subjects carried out by IFR staff, either within the Institute or in collaboration with scientists or clinicians at other locations, must be conducted in a manner which safeguards the welfare of both the volunteers and the researchers.
  • At IFR, where safety and quality of food, and improving diet and health in people, have such a high profile, small numbers of animals are used in research.