Student Success at Ecotrophelia UK 2025
This month, two of our student teams were shortlisted and participated in the Ecotrophelia UK Competition 2025.
Team SustainaBalls developed pesto protein balls that are high in protein, fibre, and a source of omega-3, made using carrot tops and red grape skins.
Team Oat ‘N About created overnight oats using upcycled oat pulp from the oat milk industry, with Bakewell-inspired flavour. Their product is high in protein and fibre, and low in sugar.
Ecotrophelia UK is a national competition for the creation of eco-innovative food products.
The competition is organised jointly by the Institute of Food Science & Technology and Campden BRI. The competition supports the food innovators of the future, developing novel, sustainable and creative ways to address challenges! This year’s teams were ably supported by Professor Gleb Yakubov, Amie Lister, and Afreen Rahman.
One of our student teams, Oat ‘n About, WON the Gold Prize (£2,000) and the Food Safety Prize (£250) at the Ecotrophelia UK 2025 competition (sponsored by Unilever and hosted at Mondelēz International's site in Bournville)!
The team will represent the UK at the Ecotrophelia European Finals this October in Cologne, Germany. A huge congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement!
The winning team (Amelia Yates, Holly Mayor, Isobel Monks, Tilly Glide, Amy Harlow and Katherine Stronge) were overjoyed to take the prize, saying:
“We are so proud to have developed Oat ‘n About: a delicious, nutritious and sustainable on-the-go breakfast. Ecotrophelia was a brilliant opportunity to present our product to a range of industry professionals and gain insightful feedback.
“We are so grateful to be going forward to the European competition and cannot wait to share our passion for Oat 'n About further!”
Another member of the winning team said:
“My highlight of Ecotrophelia has been growing and developing as a team throughout the process and getting to know my teammates better! I've learnt so much from this process and have developed many skills along the way such as communication, organisation and teamwork.
“It was so great to see our product evolve from concept to launch at the UK finals and we had a great time on the day which was topped off by winning the food safety prize and coming first!”
Co-organisers IFST said: “After a fiercely competitive showcase, Oat ‘N About impressed the judges with a creative, technically sound, and market-ready product, earning both the top prize and the Food Safety Award, sponsored by Unilever.”
