Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan has visited the University's ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre in her role as Chair of the Welsh Government's European Evaluation Committee.
Julie Morgan, who was elected as an AM for her Fifth Assembly last year, was given a tour of the industry-leading Centre, which provides the food and drink sector with technical, operational and commercial support to enable businesses to compete more effectively.
Food and drink businesses are able to consult with the University's experts, including internationally recognised specialists in Food Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Legislation, Environmental Health, Trading Standards, New Product Development, Food Safety and Biomedical Sciences.
David Lloyd, Director of the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre and Vice Chairman of the Wales Food and Drink Industry Board, said: "We were very pleased to welcome Mrs Morgan and to showcase the level of expertise available here.
"Over 120 knowledge transfer programmes have been delivered at the Centre, placing Food Science and Technology graduates into the food and drink industry. This has resulted in an increased turnover of £103 million for Welsh food and drink businesses, creating over 580 jobs and launching over 500 new products to market."
Julie Morgan said: "I've had a fascinating visit to the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre today and have been taken aback at the huge range of activity taking place here.
"The work being carried out through research, teaching and industry partnership projects is extremely valuable. I've heard many examples of how small businesses, SMEs and large organisations in the food and drink sector have been supported by the expertise at the centre in developing and marketing food and drink products across Wales and beyond.
"We have a unique set up for skills development here, which is of huge benefit to the whole of Wales."
