The innovation in dairy, a key sector in the future challenges of production and industrialization of milk

On the occasion of the celebration of the 53 Edition of day international Lácteo (DIL), at the end of the month of June, was shown the tendency to fall in the consumption of liquid milk in favor of other dairy products like cheeses, yoghurts and fermented milk. Thus it became clear in the course of this name, in charge of the National Federation of Industrias Lácteas (phenyl) and the milkman National Committee, sponsored by Tetra Pak, emerged to promote and disseminate the benefits of the milk and dairy products.

During the ceremony, Pedro Astals, phenyl President, unveiled the latest data from the sector, confirming the brake to the lower consumption of liquid milk as well as the greater acceptance of cheeses, yogurts and fermented milks. "Dairy products are where most increased consumption in households (6.3%)." Within them stresses the increase in consumption of yogurt (8.1%) and cheese (6.2%). "These data reflect resilience of the sector at a time of total food and beverage consumption has fallen significantly," said Astals. In addition, in his speech, it became clear the existing interest now to follow a correct and healthy diet. Hence, the importance of the continuation of the "nutrition and communication from 2007-2010 dairy Plan" with the aim of encouraging the consumption of milk and dairy because of its nutritional qualities, as well as the variety that exists for these products on the market. "Phenyl has acquired the commitment to continue activities during this year, pending the response of the EU for its extension for a further three years" more. "This campaign, which was born with the claim of being one of the main pillars of support for the future of the dairy sector and the continuation of the same, will continue to pursue identical goal," he stressed.

In the image, public and rapporteurs during the last edition of the international day of Lácteo.

For his part, Isabel Bombal, Director general of industry and food markets of the MARM and responsible for the conclusion of the event, noted that, despite the fact that in the past 10 years the agro-food industry has tenfold its investments in r & d, the challenges of the future are immense. "Must bet on fed to a humanity that in the year 2050 cannot exceed 9 billion people (60% higher than the current) with 10% of agricultural land and also threatened by changes in crops by increasing natural disasters caused by climate change," he added.

Facing this 53 Edition of the DIL, phenyl counted with the presence of Manuel Núñez, director of the National Institute of research y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) who dedicated his paper ' innovation in the dairy sector: future trends ' to establish strategies most appropriate for meeting the challenges facing the dairy sector in the coming years.

In the field of milk production, analysed the problems raised in Spain in relation to the profitability of dairy cattle farms. Animal welfare and the mitigation of climate change are the elements that can be tensions in the current system of production.

On the industrialization of the milk, the high hydrostatic pressures, at the present time, and the ohmic heating in a near future, are the emerging technologies of greatest potential in the dairy industry for the improvement of the quality of existing products and the development of new dairy.

New technologies omics, Nutrigenomics and metagenomics, offer new tools for a more accurate design of dairy products aimed at specific sectors of the population to the dairy industry. For its part, combined dairy products support multiple possibilities of expanding the current supply of food ready for consumption.

In this overview of challenges and innovation in the dairy sector, for Núñez, "the newly adopted law of science, technology and innovation provide a strong impetus to research and innovation in the different productive sectors." "It is also necessary to stress the need for increased investment in r & d by the public sector and the private sector, not only to achieve the objective of 3% of GDP in 2020 provided by the European Commission, but primarily as a tool for the creation of wealth and employment."