CHICAGO – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) will showcase during IFT FIRST the work students are doing to improve the quality of life for people in developing countries.

A student-governed offshoot, IFT Student Association (IFTSA), announced the six finalists for its product development competition, which is designed to promote food science, technology, and new products and processes. 

The IFTSA Developing Solutions for Developing Countries Product Development Competition involves six teams of students pitching their products to a panel of experts at the upcoming IFT FIRST event, in Chicago.

IFT shared that this year’s competition called for students to create food products that could be sourced entirely from local ingredients within a specific developing country.

Christina Ginardi, IFT’s director of academic engagement, called the student teams competing in the finals brilliant, adding that their creations “exemplify the important role science and technology must play” to help improve quality of life for populations around the world.

“In light of record-level inflation and escalating import taxes, it is critical for developing countries to lean into food innovations that leverage locally sourced ingredients to meet the needs of their growing populations,” Ginardi said.

Among the international finalists for the competition, Bogor Agricultural University (Indonesia) and University of Costa Rica both have two teams in the running, while Taylor’s University (Malaysia) and McGill University (Montreal) each have a team in contention, as well.

The teams from Bogar created a GemBoost Tempeh with tofu byproduct, and TANDUM Noodle, which is a gluten-free instant noodle.

Costa Rica’s teams made HopEnergy and Quin’chevere, both of which are powdered beverages. HopEnergy is described as an instant powdered drink made from panela, milk, grains and seeds.

The team from Taylor’s came up with Moringfir, which it said features kefir infused with “antioxidant-rich and nutrient packed” moringa leaves, guava and pineapple.

McGill’s team focused its efforts on ingredients available in Haiti, creating Bonapia Multipaste, which may be used as a snack or diluted into a stew.

IFTSA said winners will be announced at IFT FIRST on July 16, with the first place team earning $3,000, second place getting $1,500 and third place receiving $500.

In 2023, a team from IPB University in Indonesia won the competition with an innovative smoothie product.