[3] The Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health opened as the Functional Food Centre at Oxford Brookes University in early 2009 with a £300,000 grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

[3][6] The centre offers research and consultancy services to the food industry, the United Nations and various Government agencies.

[5] It tests popular claims about food, for example that genetically modified crops will feed the world, that substances such as omega-3 in fish oil will make children more intelligent, or that antioxidants can reduce cancer by removing free radicals.

[4] It develops new food products such as low glycemic index bread, which reduces cholesterol and blood sugar levels and help weight loss.

[4] The health issues that are its research priorities are diabetes, obesity and the impact of food on age-related problems.