FOOD AWARD CAN LAUNCH LOCAL GOODS OVERSEAS

Wan Shahara Ahmad Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Local food industry manufacturers should
seize the opportunity to penetrate international markets by nominating their
products for the Malaysian Institute of Food Technology (MIFT) Product
Innovation Award.

Small and medium enterprises (SME) in the food manufacturing business are
also encouraged to enter their products in the competition, which recognises
innovation in producing quality food products.

The MIFT President, Associate Prof Dr Nik Ismail Nik Daud, said that the
competition was actually a platform that helped innovative local products to be
marketed overseas.

“On the national level, the winning product will also get the approval of
the Health Ministry to use the logo of this prestigious award as one of the
labels on its packaging, or for any other advertising medium they wish to use to
market the product,” he said.

He explained that the logo was a symbol of good quality, innovation and
prestige as MIFT was the only scientifically-based food technology evaluation
body in the country.

INCENTIVE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

The award is also considered an incentive for local entrepreneurs to be more
innovative in manufacturing new food products.

It also helps develop food science and technology in the region.

“A competition with a similar concept is also being held in all Asean
countries under the 12th Asean Food Conference this year,” Nik Ismail said.

All the winners of the innovative products award will represent their
countries at the conference. They would also be given a free booth to market
their products at the conference, which will be held in Bangkok from June 16 to
18.

The MIFT Innovative Product Award winners representing Malaysia would also
be feted at the Asean level during the conference, which is themed “Food
Innovation Key to Creative Economy.” The winner would also be presented with the
Asean Innovative Product Award.

If the product was of superb quality, MIFT would also provide the
manufacturers with a platform for its international introduction and enter the
product in international food technology competitions as well.

This year, MIFT will be presenting two awards, the Platinum Award and the
Gold Award.

ENTRY

Nik Ismail admitted that the biggest challenge was in getting sufficient
participants for the award because several food manufacturers were reluctant to
enter their products in the competition.

“Most likely, it is because local food manufacturers do not understand the
value of scientific recognition for their products.

“However, in future we will consider working with other local food product
award organisers to preserve the original spirit and purpose of this award,” he
said.

Nik Ismail said the products would be judged based on eight characteristics
identified by sensory attributes -- technological innovation, nutrition and
wellness, and consumer appeal.

Other criteria would be packaging, material and design, novelty and
uniqueness, potential for global reach, and compliance with third party
certification such as halal standards, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Points (HACCP), and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

“Basically, products will be judged from the perspective of food technology
with the main focus being its functional claim, which is how the manufacturer
inserts additional benefits to a product.

“The kind of innovation we would like to see is a local manufacturer
producing foods with additional benefits, such as health improvement products
that boost children’s brain development. This will help them compete
internationally,” Nik Ismail explained.

The closing date for entries has been extended to April 15. Entry forms can
be downloaded from MIFT’s official website, http://www.mift.org.my.
The list of winners will be announced in May.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION

The current holder of the Innovative Product Platinum Award is Munchy’s Lite
Cream Cracker, which manufacturer Munchy Foods Industries Sdn Bhd won in 2009.
The Gold Awards went to Sri Kulai Nasi Lemak Rendang Ayam by AYS Sdn Bhd and
Veaty Bites Ayam Pandan, manufactured by Kawan Food Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.

MIFT is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1974. It is a
professional body recognised by the government, with members comprising experts
from different fields of food science and technology.

Its ultimate goal is to promote the application of science and technology to
the improved production, processing, packaging, distribution, evaluation and
utilisation of food to provide better and more adequate foods for mankind.

Since its establishment, MIFT has attracted about 600 professionals as its
members, the majority of whom are managers, food scientists, and technologists
in the food industry, researchers in government and private institutions, and
educators in universities and colleges.

It introduced the Best Product Award in 1983. Its first-ever winner was a
powdered form of coconut milk by S&P Coconut.