Technology Leads To Healthier Juice

Warrenpoint-based Squeeze Juice Cafe has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to develop a new wheatgrass juice for a healthier lifestyle.

Squeeze Juice Cafe has used an Invest NI Innovation Voucher to develop the fresh juice from wheatgrass it is now growing in Warrenpoint using hydroponic technology. The fresh juice, provided in handy sachets, has recently gone on sale through the company’s internet site and is proving popular with consumers of all ages.

The Innovation Voucher enabled Squeeze Juice Cafe to link up with food technologists at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast to assist the company to extend the shelf of the wheatgrass juice drink.

Olive Hill, Invest NI's Director of Technology and Process Development, commenting on the project, said: "Squeeze Juice Cafe had a specific issue over shelf life and sought advice and practical support through the Innovation Voucher scheme, which enables a company to gain expertise from a university, college or other publicly funded research organisation.

"The company had identified AFBI's high pressure equipment as the way to a longer shelf life and approached us for assistance.

"The unique high pressure equipment has been proven to help companies keep foods fresher, tastier, safer and nutritious for longer. The technology has been accepted as it does not alter the appearance of the foods, helps avoid the need for chemical additives and preservatives, maintains vitamin levels and removes bacteria to give longer shelf-life and safer products," Mrs Hill added.

The company recently applied for a second Innovation Voucher in response to a call for food and drink industry projects. The company is again working with AFBI to conduct a sensory assessment of their wider range of hi-pressure treated juices.

(CD)