Milk Link Unveils New Developments

To meet demand for lighter cheese products, and in line with consumer trends towards health and well-being, the Innovation Centre has led the research and development of a lighter cheese that has 30% less fat than standard Cheddar, but 100% of the taste.

9 Sep 2009 --- Milk Link has opened its new Innovation Centre located at the multi award-winning Taw Valley Creamery in Devon.

James Paice MP, shadow minister for agriculture and rural affairs, opened the Centre. This dedicated facility is the central focus for Milk Link’s new product and packaging development activity, and its opening was accompanied by the launch of three new products.

One of the three products was ‘Tickler … Cheddar That Spreads’, a brand extension of the popular Tickler extra mature Cheddar. Thanks to the small-scale manufacturing capabilities at the Innovation Centre, Milk Link is currently undertaking a retail trial of ‘Tickler … Cheddar That Spreads’, and early indications suggest that the product is likely to be launched nationally later this year.

To meet demand for lighter cheese products, and in line with consumer trends towards health and well-being, the Innovation Centre has led the research and development of a lighter cheese that has 30% less fat than standard Cheddar, but 100% of the taste. The new cheese in a medium strength will be launched nationally in November 2009, followed by the mature variety in February 2010.

The Innovation Centre has also delivered a new addition to Milk Link’s Moo ESL flavoured milk range. Chocolate Creaminess is a chocolate-flavoured milk that uses only natural ingredients and 1% fat milk.

Neil Kennedy, Milk Link’s chief executive, said: “Milk Link is committed to producing high-quality, value-added products that meet the needs of our customers and shoppers. In partnership with our customers, this new Innovation Centre is enabling us to research, develop and perfect products in a timely, cost-effective and risk-averse way before launching nationally.”

Commenting on the importance of innovation in the British dairy industry, James Paice MP, shadow minister for agriculture and rural affairs, said: “The past year has been tough for the dairy industry, with challenging trading conditions and confidence at a low ebb. It’s my belief that investing in innovation is the key to securing a sustainable future for the British dairy industry, and I’m delighted that Milk Link is doing just that with the launch of this new centre.”