Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha,

What Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha, does

Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha (Food Research Institute Prague), legally Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha, v.v.i., is a Czech state-funded public research institution (v.v.i.) headquartered in Prague that has operated continuously since 1958. From January 1, 2025 the institute is integrated into the Národní centrum zemědělského a potravinářského výzkumu CARC, v.v.i. as its Food Division. Its statutory mission is to improve population nutrition and the quality of the food supply through applied research spanning the full production-to-consumption chain.

The institute runs a platform of specialized laboratories covering analytical chemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, nanotechnology, food engineering, microbiology, sensory analysis, food quality and nutrition, and gluten-free foods. Core technology assets include the RIFIS collection of industrially usable microorganisms (yeasts, bacteria, molds) registered with the Czech Industrial Property Office and part of the national genetic-resource program, low-temperature spray nebulization drying and nanofiber membrane production, ISO 17025-accredited ELISA-based allergen testing with sensitivity down to fractions of ppm, DNA-based species identification via PCR, and high-pressure pascalization research. The institute also operates the national node METROFOOD-CZ of the European METROFOOD-RI research infrastructure for metrology in food and nutrition (ESFRI roadmap, 2018) and the publicly accessible potravinybezlepku.cz gluten-free product database.

Revenue is generated through two channels: (i) main activity of solving publicly funded research projects and tasks (national grants from TA ČR, MŠMT, MZe and EU sources); and (ii) commercial services via the ISO 17025 testing laboratory (allergen and food analysis priced per sample at 1,100-2,200 CZK with volume discounts and 24-hour express options), consulting and advisory services, and the Technology Transfer Center (CTT) supporting SME innovation and funding access. Customers include food manufacturers and processors, retail chains (notably Globus ČR for recurring gluten-free product testing), organic producers (PRO-BIO), clinical and academic partners (IKEM, ČVUT, VŠCHT, Czech University of Life Sciences, Mendel University), and the Czech Ministry of Agriculture.

Name

Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha,

Legal name

Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha, v.v.i.

Website

https://vupp.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha is a Czech state-funded public research institution operating specialized food-safety testing, applied food research, and technology transfer services for food manufacturers, SMEs, government bodies, and consumers with special dietary needs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Research and Testing Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food, Feed & Nutraceutical Analytical Testing (HLAGADAN), Food Safety Certification Bodies (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, SQF) (AFALAAAC), Measurement Uncertainty, Metrological Traceability & QA/QC Consulting (Food Labs) (AFALAKAJ)

Keywords

• Food research services
• Allergen testing laboratory
• Food safety analysis
• Technology transfer consulting
• Food quality assurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Projects and Grants: Solving research projects and tasks as the main activity, funded through national and European grants
2. Laboratory Testing Services: Commercial testing services including allergen analysis, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and sensory analysis. Priced per sample with volume discounts available
3. Consulting and Advisory Services: Consulting services for food industry, technology transfer, and innovation implementation for small and medium enterprises
4. Technology Transfer: Services related to innovation implementation and new technology deployment in practice, including access to national and European funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The institute conducts applied food science research, provides ISO 17025 accredited laboratory testing services (especially allergen analysis), and delivers consulting and technology transfer to the food industry. Its activities include solving research projects, providing commercial laboratory analyses, developing specialized foods for dietary needs, and managing unique resources such as the RIFIS microorganism collection and the METROFOOD-CZ research infrastructure.

Product overview

Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha (Food Research Institute Prague) is a Czech public research institution focused on improving population nutrition and food supply quality. The institute operates as a platform of specialized research laboratories and services including: (1) Zkušební laboratoř - an ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory for food allergen analysis; (2) METROFOOD-CZ - national research infrastructure for metrology in food and nutrition; (3) Sbírka mikroorganismů RIFIS - a collection of industrially usable microorganisms; (4) specialized research laboratories in nanotechnology, food engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and food quality; (5) Potravinybezlepku.cz database of gluten-free products; and (6) Centrum transferu technologií for technology transfer services. The institute's activities comprise main research projects and commercial services including commissioned analyses, consulting, and contract research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• METROFOOD-CZ: National node of the European research infrastructure METROFOOD-RI, focusing on metrology in food and nutrition. First large research infrastructure in the Czech Republic in the fields of agriculture, nutrition and food sciences.
• Zkušební laboratoř CARC
• Centrum transferu technologií (CTT)
• Sbírka mikroorganismů RIFIS

Products and services

• Zkušební laboratoř (Testing Laboratory) Accredited testing laboratory (ISO 17025) that performs allergen analysis in food products including gluten, milk proteins, peanuts, soybeans, nuts, and other food allergens using ELISA methods. Provides quantitative allergen detection with high sensitivity down to ppm levels (gluten detection down to 5 ppm, peanut detection down to 0.75 ppm). Services for food manufacturers and processors.
• METROFOOD-CZ National node of the European METROFOOD-RI research infrastructure focused on metrology in food and nutrition. Provides access to unique experimental and instrumental capacities, expert analyses, development of new products, and testing of hygienic-toxicological, nutritional, and sensory quality of foods. Open to researchers worldwide through European research infrastructure.
• Sbírka průmyslově využitelných mikroorganismů RIFIS (Collection of Industrially Usable Microorganisms) Collection of industrially usable microorganisms (RIFIS) that manages and preserves a unique collection of microorganisms, contributing to the preservation of gene pool and protection of microorganism biodiversity. Contains yeast strains, bacteria, and molds used in food industry, agriculture, and environmental applications.
• Centrum transferu technologií (Technology Transfer Center) Technology transfer center offering expert consulting for small and medium enterprises, consultations and services in national and European subsidies utilization, and implementation of innovations and new technologies into practice.
• Potravinybezlepku.cz (Gluten-Free Food Database) Online database of gluten-free food products maintained by the institute, accessible to the public and used in collaboration with the Czech Food Technology Platform and Globus retail chain for regular analysis of gluten-free products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Allergen detection sensitivity down to 0.75 ppm for peanuts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on METROFOOD-CZ infrastructure and multiple research projects. Partners include Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, and Technical Faculty.
• Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze (VŠCHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term pedagogical cooperation including lectures, diploma and dissertation supervision, and joint research activities.
• České vysoké učení technické (ČVUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in research and education, particularly in food engineering.
• Mendelova univerzita v BrněminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on research projects including innovative production of special cultures.
• Výzkumný ústav rostlinné výroby, v.v.i.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration in plant production and agricultural research.
• Mikrobiologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in microbiology research and related fields.
• IKEM - Institut klinické a experimentální medicínyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical research collaboration in clinical and experimental medicine.
• Globus ČRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular analysis of gluten-free products distributed by the retail chain.
• Česká technologická platforma pro potraviny (ČTPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in the 'Barley' working group and joint operation of the interactive gluten-free food database.
• Potravinářská komora ČRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in food industry representation and standards.
• Státní zdravotní ústavminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on public health and food safety matters.
• ESENSE LINE, s.r.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on new diagnostic tool for intratumoral microbiome determination (TA ČR project FW10010249).
• METROFOOD-RIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research infrastructure for metrology in food and nutrition. VÚPP is the national node. Gained ESFRI roadmap status in 2018 for Health & Food domain.
• PRO-BIO, obchodní spol. s r.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on organic food production research and development.
• Národní zemědělské muzeum PrahaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on food-related exhibitions and public education.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INRAE: France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, conducting food science research, food safety analysis, and providing analytical services to industry and regulators. Comparable in scope, public funding model, and multi-disciplinary food research mandate.
• Teagasc Food Research Centre: Irish national food research authority operating research centers with accredited testing, food safety, and food technology services. Comparable in scale (similar headcount), public funding model, and service mix to the food industry.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV): German applied research institute focused on food processing, packaging, and quality analytics with contract research and accredited testing services. Highly comparable in contract research, food engineering, and industry collaboration model.
• Max Rubner Institute (MRI): Germany's federal research institute for nutrition and food, conducting analytical testing, food safety research, and technology development for the food industry. Closely comparable as a government-mandated food research institute with accredited laboratories and similar multi-disciplinary structure.
• Wageningen Food & Biobased Research: Wageningen's food and biobased research unit is a public research organization offering food analysis, food safety, and applied food technology services. Highly comparable in mandate (public-good food research, accredited testing, industry collaboration) and customer base (food manufacturers, regulators, SMEs).
• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden (Food and Agriculture): Swedish state research institute offering accredited food testing, sensory analysis, and food processing research. Comparable in mission, accredited testing services, and Nordic public-good food research model.
• National Food Institute (DTU Food): Denmark's national food research institute providing food safety analysis, nutrition research, and microbiological testing for industry and authorities. Comparable as a public research institute with accredited analytical capabilities.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish public R&D organization with food research and biotechnology divisions offering food processing technology, fermentation, and analytical services. Comparable in mandate, public ownership, and applied food/biotech technology focus.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global commercial food testing laboratory offering allergen, microbiological, and chemical analysis services at industrial scale. Comparable in offering accredited food allergen testing, but operates as a large-scale commercial competitor rather than a public research institute.
• SGS Food Testing Services: Global commercial testing and certification company providing food analytical services including allergen testing and food safety audits. Comparable in accredited food testing offerings, but operates as a broad commercial incumbent rather than a specialized public research lab.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/food_vupp
• Facebookfacebook.com/friprg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Výzkumný ústav potravinářský Praha,