MEDIA CONTACT:
Marti Pupillo
(202) 220-3535
mpupillo@idfa.org


(Washington, D.C. – September 21, 2011) The International Dairy Foods Association announced the winners of the first annual Innovations Awards today at the International Dairy Show in Atlanta. One winner was selected in each of five categories – food safety, ingredients/flavorings/seasonings/additives, packaging, processing and sustainability – and attendees voted during the show to select the winner of the Attendee Choice Award.  

The six winners are:

  • ATMIC-FF Fischer Planning received the Food Safety Innovation Award for its Ultra-Clean Extended Shelf Life line, which allows for manufacturing products without added preservatives.
  • TIC Gums, Inc. earned the Ingredients/Flavorings/Seasonings/Additives Innovation Award for Dairyblend SC-ASC, a 100-percent hydrocolloid blend combining natural emulsifiers with traditional thickeners and gelling agents to deliver high-quality, stable products across the sour cream category.
  • Stonyfield received the Packaging Innovation Award for its plant-based polylactic acid (PLA) form/fill/seal plastic multi-pack yogurt cup, representing a first in the dairy industry.
  • Junction Solutions earned the Processing Innovation Award for its Genetic Optimizer, a production-scheduling application that provides manufacturers with a fast, flexible planning solution that’s easily implemented without third-party software or complex integration.
  • Ecolab, Inc. received the Innovative Sustainability Award for Envirocid Plus, an innovative new acid that helps dairy processing plants manage their effluent and their operating costs, while improving their sustainability profile.
  • Upstate Niagara received the Attendee Choice Award for Crave, a nutrient-rich chocolate milk that comes in a cool, re-sealable aluminum bottle to chill fast and keep the milk cold for longer periods of time.

Each of the winning entries exemplified substantial achievements in price or performance, significant advancement in a technology or its application, or innovative design. To be eligible for an award, the products or services must have been introduced to the market during the past 12 months.

"These awards are a great way for exhibitors to bring their products and services to the attention of the dairy industry," said Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director. "All participating companies, especially the winners, will gain added recognition from peers and potential customers for their innovative products and services."

Posters featuring the submissions were on display near the Innovations Showcase Pavilion at the International Dairy Show. Award winners will be featured in the October edition of Dairy Foods Magazine. 

The International Dairy Show, presented by IDFA, features the newest innovations in technology, packaging, ingredients and services for the dairy foods industry. Educational sessions offer solutions that span the entire manufacturing process, and attendees have the opportunity to visit exhibits displaying everything dairy companies need to run more efficiently, create new products and improve profitability. The next International Dairy Show will be held September 16-18, 2013, in Minneapolis.

Visit www.dairyshow.com for more details.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.