Dairy Innovation Awards 2013: And the Winners Are…

Read today’s blog for a complete list of the winners and finalists in the only global dairy innovations contest. 

In early May, 16 dairy foods innovation authorities reviewed the many entries to the Dairy Innovation Awards 2013 contest sponsored by U.K.-based FoodBev Media. The judges can be viewed HERE.

There were 140 entries in 15 categories from 23 countries. 

This is the only new dairy products contest in the world that relies on a team of industry experts to choose the winners. The judges base their decision on multiple criteria; it is not a social media popularity contest. I believe my fellow judges would agree that this was an exhausting task, as the entries were all so very impressive. We took our job very seriously.

Congratulations are in order to all 140 entries. The winners and finalists were recognized at a special gala dinner at the prestigious 7th Global Dairy Congress in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 19, 2013.

To view a video featuring all of the Dairy Innovation Awards categories, entrants, finalists and winners, click HERE.

To see a printed showcase of the same, click HERE.

And here are the highlights:

Best cheese
Finalists:
- Sartori Company – USA – Sartori Reserve Chai BellaVitano
- Meiji – Japan – Meiji Cream Cheese Slices
- Bel Brand – USA – The Laughing Cow Smooth Sensations Cream Cheese Spread
Winner:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Unika Arla

Best ice cream of frozen yogurt
Finalists:
- Happy Ranch – Taiwan – Happy Soft Serve Ice Cream Mix with GOS
- Meiji – Japan – Meiji The Premium Gran
Winner:
- Simply Ice Cream – UK – Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Best yogurt
Finalists:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Arla Yoggi Yogurt with Stevia
- Emmi Switzerland AG – Switzerland – Emmi good day
Winner:
- Powerful Yogurt – USA – Powerful Yogurt

Best butter or dairy spread
Finalists:
- Irish Dairy Board – Ireland – Kerrygold Softer Block Butter
- Nanyang Polytechnic – Singapore – Cheesy Spreado
Winner:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Arla Kaergarden Varieties

Best dairy dessert
Finalists:
- Chobani – USA – Chobani Bite
- Tideford Organic Foods – UK – Chocolate Rice Pudding
Winner:
- Belle Chevre – USA – Goat Cheese Cheesecake

Best dairy drink
Finalist:
- McGrain – Taiwan – Drinkable Oatmeal Breakfast Latte
Winner:
- Bio-tiful – UK – Bio-tiful

Best functional dairy product
Finalists:
- Lacka Foods Ltd – UK – Be Fast
- Fair Oak Brands LLC – USA – Core Power
- Skyland Foods – USA – IBEX drinkable yogurt
Winner:
- First Milk – UK – Lake District Dairy Co – Quark

Best children’s dairy product
Finalists:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Arla Baby & Me Organic
- Adams Foods – UK – MU Patz
Winner:
- PepsiCo, Wimm-Bill-Dann – Russia – Imunele for Kids

Best new brand or business
Finalists:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Unika Arla
- Powerful Yogurt – USA – Powerful Yogurt
- Tine SA – Norway – E+ concept
- Ultima Foods – Canada – iögo
Winner:
- Emmi Switzerland AG – Switzerland – Emmi good day

Best dairy ingredient
Finalists:
- Chr Hansen – Denmark – SaltLite
- First Milk – UK – Lake District Dairy Co – Quark
Winner:
- Tate & Lyle – France – Tasteva Stevia Sweetener

Best dairy packaging innovation
Finalists:
- Fresh Beverages International – Ireland – Shinsen Probiotic Cap
- Meiji – Japan – Meiji Bulgaria Fruit Yogurt Drink packaging
- APPE – UK – LactoEclipse X PET bottle
Winner:
- Arla Foods UK Ltd – UK – Cravendale 50cl and 1 litre PET bottles

Best dairy packaging design
Finalists:
- Arla Foods amba – Denmark – Arla Baby & Me Organic
- Peter Gregson Studios – Serbia – Panon Dairy Products
Winner:
- Lifeway Foods Inc – USA – Helios Organic Kefir

Best manufacturing or processing innovation
Finalists:
- Fair Oak Brands LLC – USA – Core Power – patented cold filtration system
- Junction Solution (Wind Rose Communications) – USA – CLEARthru app
Winner:
- Kryoflash – The Netherlands – Kryoflash patented Smart Freezing Solution

Best environmental sustainability initiative
Finalists:
- Wyke Farms – UK – Wyke Farms Renewable Energy Project
- Three Twins Ice Cream – USA – Ice Cream for Acres
Winner:
- College of Technology and Engineering – India – Solar Concentrator for milk pasteurization

Best marketing campaign
Finalists:
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – Canada – Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival
- Kindred / The British Cheese Board – National Anthem for Cheddar
Winner:
- British Columbia Dairy Association – Canada – Music Makes More Milk

Again, congratulations to all of the companies who participated in this prestigious contest!

 

 

 

“My Fit Foods” Features Dairy in Many Ways, Shapes and Forms

My Fit Foods opened two weeks ago in Chicago. I was one of the fortunate first food bloggers in The Windy City to sample these freshly prepared, chilled, ready-to-eat or heat-and-eat meals and snacks. And to my delight, many contained a dairy component. 

About the Company
The idea of My Fit Foods began in 2006 in the apartment-kitchen of Houston-based personal trainer and former Marine Mario Mendias. In efforts to ensure that his clients achieved the results he promised, he cooked for them, as many were too busy to shop and prepare healthful meals. In 2007, he outgrew his apartment-kitchen and partnered with restaurant pioneer Anthony Milton (My Fit Foods, CEO) to create My Fit Foods and expand the mission to provide fresh, healthy foods-to-go that taste great at an affordable price. The menu expanded with additional meals and snacks all focused on lean protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates and heart-healthy fats.

According to the company, dairy foods play an important role in the nutritional profile of My Fit Foods’ balanced meals. Dairy is an excellent way of obtaining nutrient-rich, low-glycemic carbohydrates, as it is loaded with calcium and vitamin D and is a great source of protein, according to a company spokesperson.

With just a little more than six years under its belt as a retail store concept, My Fit Foods is on the forefront of a major nationwide expansion. More than 50 locations can now be found within Arizona, California, Idaho, Oklahoma and Texas. There are two in Chicago, with a third on its way…and lucky me, all nearby!

Here are some menu offerings that include dairy:

Fit CottagePictured above, cottage cheese takes center stage in this low-fat, high-protein snack that includes pineapple and berries. (one size=$4.50, 200 calories, 12 grams protein, 2 grams fat)

Picnic Time

This snack contains Fuji apple slices, almonds, dried cranberries, grapes, gluten-free nut crackers and cubes of Monterey Jack cheese. (one size=$4.75, 310 calories, 10 grams protein, 14 grams fat)

Fit Oatmeal

A great classic to start the day, this breakfast dish includes organic gluten-free steel cut oats enhanced with whey protein and flavored with cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar topped with walnuts and berries. (one size=$5.50, 420 calories, 19 grams protein, 12 grams fat)

Breakfast Tacos

Corn tortillas envelop 5:1 ratio eggs (five parts white to one part yolk), seasoned lean ground turkey and a touch of cheddar cheese and onions. (small=$5.50, 240 calories, 20 grams protein, 8 grams fat; medium=$7.00, 360 calories, 30 grams protein, 12 grams fat)

Cynthia’s BBQ Chicken

This main course is homemade BBQ sauce over chopped chicken breast with cheddar mashed red potatoes and green beans. These potatoes are made with real butter and nonfat milk. (small=$7.50, 250 calories, 23 grams protein, 5 grams fat; medium=$9.00, 390 calories, 38 grams protein, 8 grams fat; large=$11.50, 520 calories, 52 grams protein, 11 grams fat)

Brian’s Fit Enchiladas

This Mexican dish starts with soft corn tortilla and lean chicken breast that gets topped with a creamy tomatillo sauce made with Greek yogurt, fresh jalapenos, cilantro and tomatillos. It comes with a side of black beans and pico de gallo. (small=$7.50, 300 calories, 27 grams protein, 5 grams fat; medium=$9.00, 470 calories, 42 grams protein, 8 grams fat; large=$11.50, 640 calories, 57 grams protein, 11 grams fat)



Speaking of Greek yogurt, the company also sells cups of Chobani yogurt for $2.50. “We are very careful in what branded products we carry in our stores. Chobani Greek yogurt aligns nicely with My Fit Foods. Greek yogurt has a great amount of protein as well as healthy probiotics,” according to the spokesperson.

Greek yogurt is also the base for the dill dip that is a part of the veggie snack (Veg Out!), which includes tomatoes, radish halves, celery sticks and baby carrots. (one size=$4.00, 130 calories, 5 grams protein, 7 grams fat)

Dairy products can be found in many other entrees, snacks and salads. There’s even a homemade Alfredo sauce made with buttermilk and real cheese.

This beautiful representation of dairy foods in meals and snacks designed for the health- and wellness-consumer reaffirms the important role of dairy in the diet. (And as a HUGE fan of cottage cheese, I am so excited to think that this protein-rich dairy food might once again be embraced by the American consumer.)

Please check out My Fit Foods HERE. And if they are not in your city yet, hope they come soon. The food is delicious and satisfying. And…maybe your dairy food can become part of their menu.

Anuga 2013: Your Innovation Destination

With just one week until the first day of summer, we must not get too lost in the dog days, as autumn will be here sooner than you can imagine. And every odd-year autumn, like this one, hosts Anuga.

Anuga is not only the largest food and beverage fair in the world; it’s also the sector’s most important fair for new markets and target groups. It’s the perfect venue for all the latest trends and themes--and a great place to make first-rate contacts and business deals.

Because TOMORROW MORNING TODAY will already be YESTERDAY…this is why you want to attend Anuga, either as an exhibitor of dairy foods available for export or as a visitor tracking the trends. This biennial event will take place October 5 to 9, 2013, in Cologne, Germany. A central business and communications platform, Anuga brings together the suppliers and top-decision makers of the global retail trade and foodservice and catering markets.

The 2011 expo hosted more than 6,700 exhibitors from almost 100 countries. Approximately 155,000 decision makers from 180 countries attended Anuga 2011. Anuga features 10 specialized trade show segments in one location. The segments are: 1) Bread & Bakery, Hot Beverages, 2) Chilled & Fresh Foods, 3) Dairy, 4) Drinks, 5) Fine Food, 6) Foodservice, 7) Frozen Food, 8) Meat, 9) Organic and 10) RetailTec.

For 2013, Anuga organizers have identified 10 trend topics that will be highlighted throughout the 10 segments. They are: 1) Finger Food 2) Gourmet Products & Regional Specialties, 3) Halal Food, 4) Health & Functional Food, 5) Ingredients, 6) Kosher Products, 7) Organic Products, 8) Private Label, 9) Vegetarian Products and – new for 2013 – 10) Products Based on Fair Trade.

For more information on the trade fair, visit HERE.

For more information on exhibiting as part of the U.S. Pavilion, visit HERE.

Following are some innovations you would have experienced firsthand had you attended Anuga in 2011. Plan on attending this year! Every hall is a classroom and every introduction a new business opportunity. I hope to see you at this innovation destination.

Lightfood OU in Estonia, a small state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, showcased the sour milk drink Dietan. This slightly carbonated drink, also simply known as tan, is a less viscous version of kefir and is rich in probiotic bacteria. It is usually consumed plain, but if flavored, it will not contain added sugars. Tan has been consumed throughout the Caucasus mountain region since ancient times. Only in the past decade has it been commercially produced, with distribution primarily in Russia. That is changing.

Germany’s Probiotan GmbH also sampled its line of Tan beverages. The company produces it in a variety of flavors, including banana, carrot, cherry, dill and strawberry. The fruit and vegetable varieties contain pureé or concentrate for natural sweetness. I expect to see more acidified dairy beverages this year.


Italy’s Trentingrana produces a namesake cheese with milk exclusively from farms in the Trentino region. The cheese stands out for its special sensory characteristics, as well as the fact that it is made from milk from cows fed exclusively on fodder and non-GMO feed without the addition of additives or preservatives. The company invested in easy-to-open packaging in response to consumer requests.

Also from Italy, Luigi Guffanti 1876 s.r.l. debuted Formaggio 1/3 Birra, a whole cows milk cheese that is made with beer. Specifically, the company mixes Italian beer made by Brewer Un Terzo directly into the whey during cooking, which lends the cheese its fine aroma and beer flavor.

 Germany’s Bruno Gelato introduced a line of lactose- and gluten-free ice creams in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla varieties.

Germany’s Bauer Private Dairy launched under its Mövenpick brand a line of ready-to-drink milkshakes. These fine and creamy premium shakes with their airily light consistency and just a hint of sweetness come in four varieties: Bourbon Vanilla, Piemont Hazelnut, Strawberry Lemon and Swiss Chocolate.

And Switzerland’s Emmi showcased the many innovative refrigerated dairy desserts concepts acquired from its purchase of Bonta Divina.

Bon appétit!