Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

UPDATES AT VIRGINIA TECH

VT Appreciates Your Support

The Department of Food Science and Technology and all of VA Tech sincerely appreciate your support and prayers following the tragic events that occurred on campus. We've received emails and sympathy cards from around the world, and it's nice to know all of you are there and thinking of VT and the Blacksburg community.

Food Science Graduate Student Wins Award

Kevin Holland, a Ph.D. candidate in VA Tech's Department of Food Science and Technology, won the Italian Packaging Awards Paper Writing Competition for 2007. His paper, entitled “Packaging's Metamorphosis from a Passive Role to an Active”, details intelligent packaging, its current uses, and its future. Kevin was one of eight students selected in a national competition sponsored by The Italian Trade Commission (ITC), along with the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association (UCIMA) and the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). The annual program, which is in its sixth year, asks students at U.S. packaging schools to write a technical paper on packaging. The paper is reviewed by professionals, and authors of winning papers have the opportunity to travel to Italy to learn about that country's packaging machinery industry.

In June, Kevin will take an all expenses paid, fifteen-day trip to Italy to experience, first hand, the innovation and quality of Italian packaging technology. He will visit leading Italian manufacturers of packaging machinery and equipment around Bologna and Milan as well as Italian academic institutions, and numerous cultural sites throughout Italy . Italy is one of the world's main producers of packaging machinery and systems and provides companies around the globe with innovative technologies, ideas and solutions. Congratulations on your achievement, Kevin!

  HOT TOPICS AND DAIRY ISSUES

  Cloned Cows' Milk

Dean Foods Company announced that it will not purchase milk from cloned cows, and the decision may have widespread ramifications.

The FDA has issued a “draft risk assessment,” which noted cloned stock were safe, and the agency is seeking comments from the public before making a final policy. However, Dean Foods was clear: FDA approval does not matter.

“If the FDA does approve the sale of milk from cloned cows,” Dean's statement noted, “we will work with our dairy farmers to implement protocols to ensure that the milk supply to Dean Foods does not come from cloned cows.”

  Whey Protein Applications

Whey protein is an excellent choice for protein fortification and most commonly is produced during cheese manufacture. Whey contains branched chain amino acids, which may help endurance during exercise. It also enhances immune function, increases protein synthesis, is more biologically active than other proteins, and is associated with greater nitrogen retention. Nutritionally, it is an excellent source of protein, scoring highest in all measurements of protein quality. Whey contains the highest levels of the branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine.

Whey increases energy reserves (glycogen stores), resulting in longer periods of physical activity, improved body composition (via a reduction in body fat and increased lean muscle mass). Whey also promotes peak muscle strength and performance. The leucine contained in whey protein promotes muscle protein synthesis and helps prevent muscle degradation. In beverages, whey protein offers several advantages, including high solubility over a wide pH range, excellent clarity, heat stability, emulsification and a neutral flavor.

The protein content, biological activity and functionality of whey proteins differ depending on how the whey is processed. Whey can be processed into whey protein isolates, concentrates and hydrolysates, milk protein isolates, specialty whey fractions and milk minerals. Protein beverages used to be formulated solely for sports nutrition and meal replacements, but today it has grown to include dairy beverages, ready-to-drink coffee, yogurt drinks/smoothies, and protein waters, as well as the powdered and ready-to-drink sports nutrition beverages. It is expected that in the future, an even wider range of beverages will be developed with whey ingredients.

Global Dairy Product Development

Here's a glimpse of some new and innovative dairy products developed by other countries last year.

Regilait Lait Concentre Sucre is a tube (like a toothpaste tube) of sweetened, condensed milk developed in France for use in coffee and tea, as an ingredient in desserts or as a spread. It is composed of fresh pasteurized milk that contains 10 vitamins and minerals. In Malaysia , Nestlé targeted children over the age of three with Nespray Original 3+ Milk Powder. It claims to have 50% more DHA ( Docosahexaenoic acid ) than most brands of milk powder, and it also features prebio, a proprietary blend of natural fibers and nutrients that could boost children's learning ability.

Spain 's Kaiku Corp. released Kaiku Plus Sin Lactosa, a UHT lactose-free milk enriched with vitamins A, D, E and folic acid. Another Spanish milk (Natur Calcio Plenitud) opted to omit fat, and is formulated for menopausal women. It contains extra calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A, D and E. Argentina 's Mastellone introduced Ser Skimmed Milk with Active Fibre, fortified with vitamins A and D and calcium. This product is designed for those with stressful and intense lifestyles which can make consumer's intestines inefficient. The fiber in this product could alleviate this problem.

Unilever Bestfoods in Denmark introduced Becel Pro-Activ milk. Formulated with omega-3 fatty acids and plant sterols, this skimmed milk claims to help reduce cholesterol and protect the cardiovascular system. St. Ivel Advance in the U.K. has included omega-3 in its dairy beverage to enhance learning and concentration in young children.

More indulgent flavors are also starting to emerge in dairy products. Austria 's Alpenmilch Salzburg launched Slazburgerland Mozart Drink in a marzipan, nougat and chocolate flavor. Rizii Up is a bubblegum-flavored milk introduced in Russia , and in Japan , Häagan-Dazs has launched a black sesame-flavored ice cream. This is a seasonal item made with black sesame paste.

In North America , The Dannon Company launched Activia in 2006. It has been very successful, partially due to the $31 million marketing campaign touting the yogurt's digestive benefits. Stonyfield Farm introduced all-natural, organic YoBaby Plus Fruit & Cereal with DHA. Anchovy and sardine oils were used as the source of DHA in addition to blended fruit and grains plus six live cultures.