Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13ca6-0b9d-7265-b333-4aa44628858b/era-net-innovative-mild-processing-tailored-to-ensure-sustainable-and-high-quali awarded GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # ERA-NET Innovative Mild Processing Tailored to Ensure Sustainable and High-Quality Organic Fruit Products (MILDSUSFRUIT) [Defra Network eTendering Portal](https://tendernation.io/buyers/defra-network-etendering-portal) Often single bidder Estimated value Not stated Published 9 Sept 2022 Deadline Closed 27 Mar 2020 ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender During the last decades there has been a considerable growth of the organic food sector in Europe which has been driven by the benefits provided by such foods in terms of healthier and more environmentally friendly products. One of the most important categories of organic food is fruit and vegetables which are characterized by high quality features in terms of sensory properties and nutritional content compared to conventional products, but these products are also high perishable. To this respect food processing technologies can contribute to extend the shelf-life of organic foods able to reduce food waste, improve sensory properties, and maintain higher nutritional content. However, traditional food processing techniques are used to process organic foods can have negative effects on the qualities of such products that can reduce consumers acceptance as well as have larger environmental impact. However, EU regulations do not specify and indicate which food processing technologies can be used to process organic food. Thus, there is a lack of understanding on which food processing technologies can be used and a lack of knowledge of processing technologies that are able improve the sensory and nutritional qualities of organic food and to reduce the environmental impact of processing technologies. Thus, there is a need of conducting research in developing new organic food processing technologies able to provide more sustainable production able to meet the consumer needs in terms of quality characteristics and reduced environmental impact. This project aims to improve the competitiveness of the organic sector in Europe by increasing the level of quality, sustainability, and consumer confidence of organic processed food products by testing new mild organic food processing technologies. This research can be beneficial to meet consumer expectations and needs in terms of organic food (i.e. better health, higher nutrients, reduce environmental impact), for organic food businesses to expand and diversify businesses opportunities, for policy makers to develop policies able to support the sector and, for the society as a whole to reduce the environmental impact, and create new job opportunities. Additional information: This contract has been awarded by Defra to the UK Partner who successfully competitively tendered for an EU Let ERA-NET project. Read full description ## CPV classification Research and development services and related consultancy services Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/e318f1e7-aa91-4ffb-a8ac-d7cd6dd2bdb8) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Defra Network eTendering Portal: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/defra-network-etendering-portal) [Sector More Research & development tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/research-development) ## More tenders like this [Research and development consultancy services – ATU wishes to establish a Panel of National Contact Point Experts across EU Member States to build capacity to incorporate EU Results-Based Payments Schemes in Public or Private Support Schemes. · Atlantic Technological University · 438 days left · 31 Dec 2027](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-ccf1-7050-b440-6554b4a1426f/ireland-austria-slovenia-research-and-development-consultancy-services-atu) [Research services – Evaluatie van de implementatie van de proeftuin Pioniersscholen · Vlaamse Overheid · 21 days left · 9 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-cecf-7255-bee1-542f502ed088/belgium-research-services-evaluatie-van-de-implementatie-van-de-proeftuin-pi) [Research services – KPN/28/2026 „Charakterystyka biogeochemiczna gleb i roślin wybranych torfowisk subalpejskich ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem torfowiska u źródeł Úpy na Równi pod Śnieżką” · Karkonoski Park Narodowy z siedzibą w Jeleniej Górze · 35 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-97ae-7315-8e1a-e686bca1e724/poland-research-services-kpn282026-charakterystyka-biogeochemiczna-gleb-i) [Research and development services and related consultancy services – Evaluation of Five Pilot Projects Testing Exemptions from Provisions of the Local Government Act, the Property Tax Act, the General Practitioner Regulations, and Other Regulatory Frameworks · Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development · 15 days left · 3 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-a35e-73b3-8bf4-7d33c32cf58b/norway-research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services-ev) [Research and development services and related consultancy services – Zabezpečenie trvalých a analytických činností pre oblasť dopravy · Ministerstvo dopravy Slovenskej republiky · 31 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156a9-ce90-72fd-b25d-99b3ee2e8b4b/slovakia-research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services) [Development consultancy services – Accompagnement à la stratégie d'attractivité économique du territoire de GrandSoissons Agglomération (02) · GrandSoissons Agglomération · 44 days left · 2 Dec 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a156aa-1b92-70f5-96fc-71a2756e9dc1/france-development-consultancy-services-accompagnement-a-la-strategie-dattr)