Modern Baker, based in Oxford, took the top spot globally in the next-generation functional foods and drinks category at this year’s Global FoodTech 500 Awards, beating entrants from more than 100 countries.

The company is best known for Superloaf, described by The Grocer as ‘the world’s first healthy ultra-processed food’.

Superloaf is currently produced under licence by Hovis and stocked in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and M&S.

Leo Campbell, co-founder of Modern Baker, said: “Being recognised in the FoodTech 500 reflects a shift in how we are starting to think about food and health.

“The new question is no longer about what’s in our favourite foods, but what it actually does in the body.

“If we want to improve population health, everyday foods need to become more nutrient-diverse and more biologically effective.

“That’s what we have demonstrated with Superloaf – which is only the beginning.”

The company uses a proprietary platform that analyses whole food components such as fibre, polyphenols, and plant diversity to create products designed to benefit health throughout the digestive process.

Co-founders Mr Campbell and Melissa Sharp are Jericho residents, and the company is headquartered near Oxford Airport in Kidlington.

Modern Baker recently completed a £2.5 million Series A funding round led by venture firm Adjuvo.

The Global FoodTech 500 Awards recognise leading companies driving innovation in health, sustainability, and agriculture.

Cattle Market Car Park in Burgess Close, Abingdon, next to Abbey Gardens, will be temporarily closed from Friday, May 8 at 5pm until Saturday, May 9 at noon.

The Vale of White Horse District Council said this is “to allow contractors to carry out essential maintenance work”.

Car park, file photo (Image: NQ)

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No cars will be able to access the car park, including electric vehicle chargers, but pedestrian access to Abbey Gardens will still be available while works are ongoing.

A spokesperson for the district council said: “Drivers are asked to use alternative car parks nearby including Civic, Audlett Drive, which has electric vehicle chargers, and Abbey Close.”

A full list of the eight car parks in Abingdon is available on the council’s website.

There will be 15 returning pros for the new series, as five leave the show.

New professionals are also set to be recruited and announced closer to the dancing show’s return in autumn.

BBC confirms the 15 pro dancers returning to Strictly 2026

The full list of 15 dancers returning from the 2025 series is:

• Alexis Warr
• Amy Dowden
• Aljaz Skorjanec
• Carlos Gu
• Dianne Buswell
• Johannes Radebe
• Jowita Przystal
• Julian Caillon
• Kai Widdrington
• Katya Jones
• Lauren Oakley
• Nancy Xu
• Neil Jones
• Nikita Kuzmin
• Vito Coppola

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas will all return to the judging panel.

Themed weeks, including movies, icons, Halloween and musicals, plus the Instant Dance challenge, which was introduced last year, will also be back.

The BBC has also confirmed Strictly will once again make its annual trip to Blackpool Tower Ballroom later this year, and said further plans for the new series would be announced in due course.

Which Strictly pros have left the series for 2026?

Reports have suggested that there are plans to reinvent the series, particularly following the departures of long-time presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

Five pros that have been axed from Strictly ahead of the new series include:

• Gorka Marquez
• Michelle Tsiakkas
• Karen Hauer
• Nadiya Bychkova
• Luba Mushtuk

Karen was the show’s longest-serving Strictly professional in the current roster at the time she was axed.

With her exit, the longest-standing current Strictly professional is now Aljaž Škorjanec, who has only missed two series (in 2022 and 2023) since 2013.

Each dancer’s post announcing their exit was flooded with tributes from fans and stars alike.

The BBC has thanked each of the departing dancers for their time on the show, praising Tsiakkas for her “excellent performances” and “professionalism”, and Marquez for his “exceptional contribution”.

The new dancers that will replace the five will be announced soon, as will the new hosts.

Will you be watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing? Let us know in the comments.