25 Jun 2019 Creative solutions for affordable shelf-stable dairy NPD
Tate & Lyle’s stabiliser solutions have helped a Pretoria dairy company create a new range of low cost, long shelf life dairy products.
Tate & Lyle, a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, has worked with Long Life Dairy, a subsidiary of Unique Dairy Products, to create a range of low cost, long shelf life products to enable more families with limited access to refrigeration to benefit from dairy.
Dairy, which can provide key nutrients such as calcium and protein, is the most commonly under consumed food group in South Africa after fruit and vegetables*, with experts citing availability and cost as the main barriers to consumption**.
Developed using Tate & Lyle’s stabilisers and functional systems, the new range of affordable yoghurt-style dairy snacks, bottled milkshakes and custard pouches do not require refrigeration and are shelf stable for up to one year. In contrast, a typical yoghurt would require refrigeration and have a use-by date of up to 30 days.
Tate & Lyle technical service teams in Kya Sand, Jo’burg, and Lübeck, Germany, worked with Long Life Dairy’s development team to trial different recipe formulations.
Using Tate & Lyle’s stabilising ingredient blends, which ensure foods and beverages retain their structure and texture throughout their shelf life, Long Life Dairy trialed products in Tate & Lyle’s pilot plant in Germany before selecting final recipes to take into full-scale production at the manufacturer’s new facility in Pretoria.
Stefan van der Berg, GM of Long Life Dairy, says: “Many dairy products on sale in the South Africa require cold storage and, although ambient shelf life milk and custard are widely available, there are few on-the-go dairy options for immediate consumption.
“We believe that our new long-life dairy products developed with Tate & Lyle are unique in the South African dairy market, due to their convenience format and the innovative stabilisers and functional systems used to deliver nutrition, shelf stability and great taste at an affordable price.
“Ambient dairy is an exciting new sub-category for our business and we are exploring opportunities to introduce the new range to consumers in other African regions.”
Neels Poerstamper, Technical Support Manager South Africa, Tate & Lyle, says: “Using our innovative stabiliser ingredient blends, we are proud to have helped Long Life Dairy to create an innovative new product range that will help more families to enjoy the benefits of dairy, particularly those without access to cold storage.
“This product innovation demonstrates how, with customers, we are providing access to nutritious and affordable foods, and delivering on our purpose of ‘Improving Lives for Generations’.
“The packaging, price point and long shelf life make the range particularly attractive to South Africa’s many solo traders, allowing them to capitalise on resale opportunities.”
Source: Tate & Lyle
References:
*Mchiza ZJ, Steyn NP, Hill J, Kruger A, Schönfeldt H, Nel J, Wentzel-Viljoen E (2015)
A Review of Dietary Surveys in the Adult South African Population from 2000 to 2015, Nutrients, 7, 8227-8250.
**Shisana O, Labadarios D, Rehle T, Simbayi L, Zuma K, Dhansay A, Reddy P, Parker W, Hoosain E, Naidoo P, Hongoro C, Mchiza Z, Steyn NP, Dwane N, Makoae M, Maluleke T, Ramlagan S, Zungu N, Evans MG, Jacobs L, Faber M, & the SANHANES-1 Team (2014)
South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1): 2014 Edition. Cape Town: HSRC Press
About UPD: UDP is a South African company that specialises in the manufacturing of dairy related products (ice cream, soft serve, frozen novelties, milk, cream, yoghurt)
The privately-owned company and operates in Pretoria, Gauteng with staff of 120, manufacturing ice cream, soft serve and other dairy-related products for about 3,600 customers country-wide.