2022 March Board Book

maintenance and staffing, as well as workforce development. This potential study is in support several CDIC goals, including portfolio diversification.

II. Diversifying Product Portfolio

Omega-3 Milks and Dairy Products

The project, launched at Fresno State University, will test the impact of a flax-enriched supplement on the omega-3 content of milk. Omega-3 milks carry a premium in the marketplace, but most are organic products and/or manufactured with added ingredients such as algal oil. Researchers will also manufacture cream, cheeses, and butter from the enriched milk. To ensure consumer acceptability, sensory testing will be performed after

storage, and omega-3 fatty acids content will be measured in finished products to support potential content or health claims. Both Holstein and Jersey milks will be evaluated and tested. A second-phase, to be conducted at UC Davis by CDRF, will measure benefits on methane emissions and other sustainability metrics.

Innovative, Sugar-free Frozen Desserts

Sugar-free is a “hot” consumer trend, yet removal of sugar in ice cream can be problematic, leading to poor melting or to undesirable crystallization during storage. Working with researchers of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo food science department, CDIC finalized a study protocol to test various new sugar alternatives in high protein, lactose-free frozen desserts. The project will build upon prototypes developed at the Cal Poly Dairy Products Innovation Center in 2021,

which established the feasibility of the concept and yielded excellent formulations with a new sweetener. The project will deliver innovative formulation options for processors eager to capitalize on the market trend. It also features the innovative utilization of ultra-filtered milk rather than milk powders.

Building the “Incubator” program

Many entrants in CMAB’s Excelerator contest have introduced unique concepts and brilliant prototypes, yet it appears many of these entrepreneurs need additional technical and regulatory support to refine their products and

processes, or fine-tune nutrition or marketing claims. Working with the Cal Poly Center for Entrepreneurship, CDIC is conducting a survey of entrepreneurs who entered the contest to further understand the nature of resources needed to bring these innovative ideas to the market, with the goal of developing a more