As the world celebrates World Food Day today (October, 16, 2013), second-year Food Technology students at the Durban University of Technology are preparing to present their new and inventive food products tomorrow (October, 17, 2013) at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus.
A total of eight products will be on display during the much anticipated annual Food Product Launch which kicks off at 10am.
This year’s products are:
– Flavoured Chicken Spread: a chicken based spread flavoured with tomatoes, peri-peri and mushrooms which is rich in protein.
– Fruity Jack: a cider made from jackfruit.
– Multi-Life: an instant porridge made of amadumbe (colocasia esculenta) and pearled barley.
– Nutri-Crushed: a healthy instant porridge made from oats, enriched with Moringa Oleifera leaves to meet the requirements of diabetics and health conscious people.
– T-Iced: a uniquely formulated ice tea made using the traditional green tea processing method.
– Sice Cream: a delicious non-dairy, soy based low fat ice cream.
– Chew On This: a chewing gum that enhances mental alertness.
– Yogidelasoy: Stimulating soy yoghurt that is a deliciously creamy and nutritious drinking snack.
The launch affords students the opportunity to showcase their skills for developing new food products as part of their studies to the food industry, public as well as their lectures. This event is the highlight in the Food Technology Department’s academic calendar.
Students started working on their products as early as June (2013), said Dr Oluwatosin Ijabadeniyi, a senior lecturer at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology. With adequate support, some of the products could be up-scaled to low-cost start ups. “It’s a good opportunity for the students, and the University, to show their creativity and innovation to the food industry representatives and society at large,” said Dr Ijabadeniyi.
He said the aim of the launch is to develop critical thinking skills necessary for developing food using the principles of food science and technology. Students are allocated into teams consisting of three to four individuals. Each group will need to show how it developed its product (which includes costing, packaging, shelf life determination, mass-energy balance, consumer testing and product labelling).
The launch is supported by the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST), Tongaat Hulett and Food and Cosmetic Technologies. Awards are presented in the following categories:
Best Science/Technology, Best Innovation/Marketable Product, Best Audio Visual/Oral, Best Display and Sensory Product as well as Best Overall Grand Prize. Winners in each category will R1000 in cash while the Best Overall Grand Prize winners will walk away with R3000 in cash.
Guy Amstrong, Tongaat Hulett representative will be the guest speaker at the event. Dr Ijabadeniyi believes that the launch will benefit students in a positive way through the development of important skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and creativity.
– Thabo Maile
Pictured: Dr Oluwatosin Ijabadeniyi, senior lecturer in the Department of Food Technology, talks about tomorrow’s annual Food Product Launch which is hosted by his Department.
