October 27, 2008

Purdue Research Park-based company launches line of 4 milk products

FAVORED® Inc., a company based at the Purdue Research Park, launched a line of four milk products in Indiana and the Northeast region of the United States. The varieties of milk - whole, reduced fat, low fat and fat free - are sold in half-gallon cartons at participating Big Y World Class Markets, Dave's Marketplace stores and Roche Bros. supermarkets in the Northeast, and 15 participating Marsh Supermarkets in Indiana. 

The milk products provide a natural source of healthful Omega-3 and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) nutrients.

"We are targeting health-conscious people who probably already live healthy lifestyles," said John H. Schiering, president of FAVORED's dairy division. "This is an ever-increasing segment of the population and, although many may already be taking Omega-3 and CLA supplements, most are looking for a natural way to get them."

Under the protocols of its patent-pending FAVORED System, the company plants selected corn varieties and other grains that produce the specific recipe for dairy cows to produce milk with naturally existing Omega-3 and CLA. All components of the system - seed, grain, dairy cattle and milk processing - are based in Indiana.

"FAVORED brings Omega-3 and CLA to its milk through the feed ration," Schiering said.

Additionally, the milk comes from cows that have not been injected with a synthetic growth hormone called rBST.

FAVORED's process of adding Omega-3 and CLA through the feed ration rather than product additives sets its milk products' flavor apart from competitors' products.

"One of the most beneficial Omega-3 nutrients is DHA, which comes from marine sources," said David A. Page, FAVORED's secretary and treasurer. "Some companies add oil from algae or fish directly to the milk to offer DHA-enhanced milk products. Unfortunately, consumers taste these oils when they drink the milk. Milk is a fat-based product, and fats are flavor enhancers. A company can't put algae or fish oil in milk and not affect the flavor.

"On the other hand, if you feed a diet rich with Omega-3 sources to dairy cows, consumers will drink more nutritious milk that doesn't have an aftertaste. Additionally, the cows are healthier."

The FAVORED System allows the company to determine all the inputs in its supply chain, Schiering said.

"With our protocols, the company can control what is being put into the process," he said. "That way we know the finished product is representative of what we put into it. There is no opportunity for extraneous additives.

"We define each of the nutrients we want to bring into our products. The system allows us to say with confidence that the milk has the nutrients we are targeting."

FAVORED's milk products are categorized in the "wholesome foods" category, which includes organic, all-natural products. According to the 2007 Organic Trade Association Manufacturer Survey, sales of organic food and beverages in the United States are forecast to reach nearly $23 billion in 2008, and increase an average of 18 percent annually to 2010.

Michael Schutz, associate professor in Purdue University's Department of Animal Sciences, was extremely helpful throughout the entire project to create the FAVORED milk products, according to Schiering.

About FAVORED® Inc.

The all-natural FAVORED® System delivers food products that carry the assurance of being completely traceable from origin to consumer. This patent-pending system focuses on those traits that today's consumers desire: nutritious and tasty products free from growth hormones and antibiotics, and produced primarily with only non-genetically modified feed rations.

About Purdue Research Park

The 725-acre Purdue Research Park (https://www.purdueresearchpark.com) has the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country. The park is home to more than 157 companies. About 100 of these firms are technology-related and another 39 are incubator businesses. The park was ranked No. 1 in 2004 for university-affiliated research parks and received the 2005 Outstanding Commercialization Award, both from the Association of University Research Parks. The park's companies also have received numerous recognitions, including a 2006 MIRA Award: Innovation of the Year for Purdue Research Park/Quadraspec Inc. and a 2005 CoreNet Global Innovators Award finalist. The Purdue Research Park is part of the Purdue Research Foundation, a private, nonprofit foundation created to assist Purdue University in the area of economic development. In addition to the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, the foundation has established or is currently constructing technology parks in other locations around Indiana including Merrillville, New Albany and Indianapolis.

To the Purdue Research Park, https://www.purdueresearchpark.com

Contact at Purdue Research Park: Steve Martin, (765) 494-6872, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: John H. Schiering, (765) 463-3900, jhs@favoredmilk.com

David A. Page, (765) 463-3900, dap@favoredmilk.com