Kerry Group announced a new environment-conscious food product called upcycled cheese powder. This powder is made from excess cheese gathered from manufacturing constraints or storage constraints, meaning excess food that is to be discarded after the production line, or stored food that will not be used in production in time before it spoils.
The upcycling process results in dehydrated cheese powders that keep for a significantly longer period of time than whole cheese, as the dehydration and sealing process ensures the freshness of the food. This process, according to Kerry Group, reduces GHG emissions by up to 45%, resulting in a total saving of 11,856Kg of cheese waste and 55,586Kg of CO2e per 10,000Kg of cheese powder produced.
The cheese powders from Kerry Group can be used in a variety of ways. The powders can be used in the production of CPG goods that require dried cheese, or they could be sold direct-to-restaurant or direct-to-consumer for use in smaller-scale baking and food production.
Upcycled Cheese Powders
Kerry's Upcycled Cheese Powder is Environmentally-Friendly and Flavorful
Trend Themes
1. Upcycled Food - The upcycled cheese powder is an example of the growing trend of upcycled food products, which repurpose and transform food waste into new, valuable products.
2. Sustainable Food Manufacturing - Kerry Group's upcycled cheese powder showcases the trend towards sustainable food manufacturing practices, where companies find innovative ways to reduce waste and emissions throughout the production process.
3. Longer Shelf Life Products - The dehydrated cheese powders with significantly longer shelf life highlight the trend of developing food products that have extended freshness and reduced spoilage, providing convenience and reducing food waste.
Industry Implications
1. Food Manufacturing - The food manufacturing industry can explore opportunities to incorporate upcycled ingredients and implement sustainable practices to reduce waste and emissions.
2. Food Service - The food service industry can benefit from using upcycled cheese powders as ingredients, reducing costs and environmental impact while offering flavorful options to customers.
3. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - The CPG industry can leverage upcycled cheese powders as a versatile ingredient to create innovative and sustainable food products that appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.