Q1. My company manufactures laksa paste. I would like to take my product overseas but need better packaging for export. I don't have any research and development facilities. Where I can go for help?

You can approach the new Food Innovation and Resource Centre (FIRC). A joint initiative by SPRING Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic, the FIRC is a food technology and development centre to help food companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), develop new and innovative products, processes and packaging. Find out more @ "Just to Spoonful of Technology".

Q2. I am a manufacturer of biscuits, frozen ice-cream puffs and other packaged food products. Where can I get help to develop new and exciting products that will appeal to the taste buds of health conscious and sophisticated consumers? My products also tend to crumble during transport, which means loss in revenue for my company. Are there new baking processes or packaging technologies that can prevent that from happening?

The FIRC can provide consultancy and training to help SMEs develop new products and packaging using the latest technologies in product & process, sensory evaluation, and packaging & shelf life evaluation. You will also have access to a wide range of equipment which would be too costly to set up on your own. These include equipment to pilot test new food products, such as a cryogenic freezer, hard and soft ice cream machine and noodle processing line, and also equipment to develop better packaging, such as vacuum skin, modified atmosphere and thermoforming machines. For more information, please contact FIRC’s Centre Director, Ms Loong Mann Na on tel: 6870 4876 or via e-mail at MannNa@sp.edu.sg ET