Many dairy companies are yet to realise that their acid whey is a valuable raw material that can be used to create high-quality and nutritious consumer products, according to Arla Foods Ingredients.
Acid whey is a by-product of a number of popular dairy goods – including Greek yogurt and a number of cheeses such as cottage cheese and cream cheese – that has traditionally been treated as waste by dairy manufacturers. However, when further processed in combination with whey proteins, Arla Foods Ingredients said, acid whey offers enormous potential as the base for a range of dairy products.
The company is promoting the possibilities presented by acid whey as part of a new campaign called Maximum Yield. The awareness drive is seeking to change perceptions of acid whey and explain how dairy companies can use it to maximise their output, increase profits and significantly cut waste.
Claus Andersen, Category & Application Manager at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Acid whey remains an untapped goldmine. It contains the same minerals as milk, which means it offers the same benefits to bones, teeth and general health. But it is often disposed of in waste streams or sold for little or no profit to farmers for use in animal feed. Our Maximum Yield campaign is highlighting how it can instead be converted into high-value consumer products and, in turn, enable dairies to boost their efficiency by using 100% of their milk and not just a portion of it.”
To enable dairies to maximise their yields, Arla Foods Ingredients has developed a range of Nutrilac whey protein solutions which, when added to acid whey, make it possible to transform it into a wide selection of high-quality and nutritious dairy products. This allows dairy producers to significantly enhance their productivity, with only a third of the milk used in the production of Greek yogurt ending up in the finished product, and the rest being lost as acid whey.
Andersen continued: “If you go back 30 years, whey protein from cheese making was viewed as a by-product with little value. Now it is recognised as a high value ingredient with almost endless possibilities in multiple sectors such as dairy, bakery and sports nutrition. We are at a similar stage now with acid whey. It is an exceptional raw material, but many processors don’t know how to unlock its potential. Nutrilac whey protein solutions are the key to achieving this and – with our expertise and technical support – we can show dairies just how easy it is.”
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