The UK's food and drink market is growing, and the industry is renowned for its innovative approach to food development, high-tech manufacturing and high-quality raw materials.

The UK is a globally recognised centre for R&D in food and drink with an emphasis on new product development, greater convenience and healthier products. Mondolez International, PepsiCo, Mars and Unilever all have food and drink R&D operations in the UK.

Some of the world's best research facilities host collaborations between universities and food and drink companies. Swiss company, Nestlé, has a product technology centre in York, which is developing new technologies and products for UK consumers and for Nestlé's businesses around the world. Companies investing in food and drink research in the UK may qualify for lower rates of corporation tax, under the government's R&D tax relief scheme