The Food Innovation Centre at CAFRE is the catalyst for developing award winning dairy products
Date published:
Yomega3 is a new and unique Greek-style frozen yogurt enriched with high strength Omega 3 and Vitamin D. This innovative product has recently been awarded Best Frozen Yogurt at the World Dairy Innovation awards held in Dublin on 6 & 7 June 2017. This was the eleventh annual World Dairy Innovation Awards with entries from over 20 countries in 19 different categories. The level of innovation shown within the entries includes new flavours, new concepts, clever packaging, state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and new ground gained towards a more responsible and sustainable dairy industry.
The idea for Yomega3 was first developed at CAFRE’s Loughry campus when Paradox Omega Oils received an Innovation Voucher from Invest NI in 2014. This voucher allowed them to partner with the dairy technologists at Loughry to investigate the manufacturing requirements to develop a healthy yoghurt product containing Omega 3 and more importantly ensure the nutrient levels remained stable throughout the shelf life of the product.
Dr Geoff Hayhurst, Managing Director of Paradox Omega Oils said: “The work which begun at CAFRE’s Loughry campus to develop an omega 3 yoghurt was crucial in allowing the company to further develop this frozen yoghurt to include Omega 3 & Vitamin D and is now being manufactured by Ice Cream Treats, Monaghan in collaboration with ourselves.”
Loughry’s dairy technologists work with approximately 40 dairy companies annually to provide food technology support to ensure companies continue to develop and thrive within this competitive sector. InvestNI’s Innovation Voucher programme is an excellent opportunity for food & drink companies to work with knowledge providers such as CAFRE’s Loughry campus to develop their products and processes.
If you are interested in working with the dairy technologists at Loughry, please contact Dr Roisin Lagan by email: roisin.lagan@daera-ni.gov.uk or by telephone 028 8676 8153.
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