Exhibition of Practical Competences on Food Product Development by Final Year Student of the Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology does not only teach theoretical concepts of knowledge but also underscores practical application in solving challenges in society. In this regard, the Department of Food Science and Technology has fashioned a course on Food Product Development for students to gain insight into the developmental stages, grasp the functionality of ingredients, and essentially develop new food products from local ingredients.

By completion, students should be able to select appropriate ingredients for specific products, follow the required steps, and apply the knowledge and skills to develop new products from local ingredients while meeting food standards and consumer demands.

For 2024, the course facilitators; Dr. Eric Owusu Mensah and Prof (Mrs.) F.D. Wireko-Manu taught and mentored the students to develop innovative food products based on scientific knowledge and showcased the product to the public to attract partnerships and collaboration from stakeholders including industry and research institutions.

On 3rd April, an exhibition (product Display and Poster) was organized, and some key players in the food industry including Blue Skies (Producers of natural fruit juices) and Quama Food Processing Co. Ltd (Producers of Yofresh Yoghurt) were invited to join a 5-member panel of judges to interact, score and select the best innovative and business viable products/teams. The selected criteria comprised product package and presentation, graphic quality of the poster, scientific excellence, innovation, sensory properties, and response to questions.

The panel was led by Dr. Abena Boakye (Lecturer and a product Development expert), with support from Mr. Stephen Boakye Frimpong (CARISCA, Business School), Ms. Abena Amoafoa Ofori (Regional Sales Manager-Branded, Blue Skies), Mr. Prince Sakyi Djan Yirenkyi (Production and R&D Expert, Quama Food) and Mr. Ernest Obeng (Quality Assurance Expert, Quama Food). The awards included cash prizes and packs of Yofresh yoghurt from Quama Food Pro. Co. Ltd and Products from Blue Skies. In the end, the best innovative with scientific excellence products were Akokono-incorporated baked products (1st), Nut-incorporated Cookie (2nd) and Just Eggs, egg powdered products, (3rd).  

Appreciation to the Head, Prof. (Mrs.) Faustina D. Wireko-Manu, and Staff of the Department of Science and Technology, FST 4 students for the delightful application and display of the food products, the Course Representatives (Moses Boateng and Justina Achiaa Bonsu and Faithful Dede Quarcoo) and Teaching Assistants especially Isaac Kudomor.