Teagasc innovations now a lynch-pin of the Irish food products industry
It is manufactured by the multinational company, Wyeth, at its plant at Askeaton, Co Limerick, and is now sold worldwide. Launched last year, it is based on Alphalac, a constituent protein of whey.
Teagasc technologists at Moore park developed the technology to produce the protein constituent.
Alphalac is a major component of mother's milk. The product, therefore, represents a further stage in the humanisation of infant formula.
Teagasc said it also demonstrates the role which innovative public research can play in embedding a foreign multinational food company into the Irish innovation system.
Moore park Technology, a Teagasc company that has become a lynch-pin between food research and industry, has contributed over 100 product and process innovations to companies since it was set up ten years ago.
Dr Liam Donnelly, managing director, Moore park Technology, said the Teagasc food research programme is playing a prominent role in driving the national agenda for science and technology.
The open day also featured the impact of new technology developed by Teagasc, aimed at reducing the reliance on cheddar cheese production.
Currently, cheddar accounts for 75% of the 115,000 tonnes of cheese produced annually by the Irish dairy industry.
Teagasc scientists have played a central role in the development of a new cheese, Carbery Blue, now being manufactured by the Carbery Group at Ballineen, Co Cork.
This unique product involves a modified cheddar in which a blue vein has been grown.
The strong international reputation of Teagasc food scientists in food ingredients was reflected in a large number of successful innovations.
These ingredients have wide application in snack foods and prepared ready meals. They are spearheading the entry of Irish dairy companies into flavour ingredient markets.
In the beverages area, a division of the multinational giant, Diageo, has used the Moore park pilot plant to produce flavour concentrates from malt and roast barley.
This concentrate is being exported to more than 50 countries, for use in a range of beverages. One example is a non-alcoholic drink, called Malta, which is now being successfully marketed in Asia and Africa.
Teagasc expertise was also used by PG Tips, a division of Unilever plc, to develop a unique process for the production of tea with semi-skimmed milk for the vending machine market. The target markets for this new product are Europe, Japan, and America.
Support was also provided for the production of new pro-biotic cheddar cheeses for the Irish Dairy Board, and a pro-biotic table spread for the Kerry Group.
