BROOKINGS (KELO AM) - A team of South Dakota State University food science students finished third in the 2015 Idaho Milk Processors Association new product competition last weekend.For finishing third, the team received $3,000—$1,500 going to the university for dairy research and $1,500 to the student team members, Ashok Bharathidasan, Arantangi, India; Dikshi Bawa, Karnal, India; and Harsh Dahiya, Rohtak, India.Utah State, which created a meat marinade utilizing Greek yogurt whey as a main ingredient, won the competition. Brigham Young University was second and Washington State University/University of Idaho was fourth.
This year's event was the IMPA's eighth new product competition.South Dakota State developed a product it called Nutri-Bitzz, a crispy, gluten-free, high-protein and dairy-based cracker. Nutri-Bitzz was designed as a healthy substitute for traditional crackers and has 125 percent more protein than typical crackers. Dairy products accounted for 76 percent of the product's composition and ingredients include cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, whey protein concentrate and butter.Supported by the United Dairymen of Idaho and judged by leaders in the dairy industry, the annual contest challenges universities with strong nutrition and food science programs to create the most promising new food product containing dairy ingredients."The new product competition is an exciting portion of the IMPA meeting," competition chair Alan Reed says.
"We're always impressed with the level of innovation these schools bring to bear. The team from Utah State offered a compelling product with the data and marketing materials to back it."About the Idaho Milk Processors AssocationIMPA is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the Idaho dairy industry, cooperate with all organizations that work to advance and develop it, hold annual conferences focusing on subjects relative to the processing of milk and milk products, and act in unison in matters affecting the welfare of all dairy interests.
Visit IMPA.us for more details.About United Dairymen of IdahoThe United Dairymen of Idaho protects and promotes the Idaho dairy industry and dairy farm families through outreach, nutrition counseling and partnerships with consumers, dairy processors, retail outlets, and farmers and their families. It is the parent organization of both the Idaho Dairy Council and the Idaho Dairymen's Association. Visit IdahoDairy.com for updates and additional information.