McGill University Wins Healthy Snack Product Development Competition

CHICAGO – August 8, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is pleased to announce that McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has won the IFTSA Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition. The team was recently honored at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, IFT’s popular food science, technology, and innovation showcase aimed at addressing the biggest issues impacting the global food system that attracted more than 16,000 attendees and over 1,100 exhibitors.

The Smart Snacks for Kids Product Development Competition challenges students to develop a fun and nutritious food or beverage product targeted at kids and/or teens. All products must abide by the USDA “Guide to Smart Snacks in School” recommendations, which aim to offer kids foods and beverages with more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, leaner protein, and low-fat dairy while limiting foods with too much sugar, fat, and salt.

The McGill University team won with Magic Mud Pot, a delightful, health-conscious, and engaging alternative to traditional chocolate pudding. Designed to captivate children and satisfy the requirements of parents and schools alike, these gluten-free and nut-free treats offer a decadent cup of chocolate black bean pudding crowned with a lid split into two compartments – one containing vegetable-shaped gummies and the other containing chocolate quinoa crumble.

The team’s full roster is:

• Chanie Corbeil-Stroombergen (St-Joseph-du-Lac, Quebec)
• Marguerite Drolet (Gatineau, Quebec)
• Emily Legault (Ottowa, Ontario)
• Siqi Li (Shanghai, China)

Two other finalists were also recognized: Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico placed second for Gualatic, an avocado sweet dip eaten alongside chips with chia. Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, placed third for FIAYA, a high protein mochi ice cream made with soy milk, duckweed, and soy protein isolate.

All finalists received partial reimbursement for their trip to IFT FIRST as well as a monetary prize. The McGill University team was awarded $3,000, while second and third place were awarded $1,500 and $500, respectively.

Learn more about IFTSA.

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,000 IFT members spanning 62 Chapters in 60 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging. For more information, visit ift.org/community/students.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contacts

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
dvanmilligen@ift.org

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Marketing
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
fcomstock@ift.org