Integration of research and transfer towards 'naturalness', 'soft technologies' and 'sustainability'
The second pre-competitive RITA-CTAQ co-creation network is an inclusive Quebec platform for collaboration between research institutions and the food processing industry. This network was launched in September 2019, after a co-creation process involving forty-nine food processing companies and more than thirty researchers. Companies and researchers have developed thirteen research and development activities in the form of pre-competitive projects, all of which are integrated under the aegis of the second network. The identified objectives and solutions generated will be mutually beneficial to all participating industries, including the dairy, bakery, meat, vegetable, ingredient and packaging sectors.
"an inclusive Quebec platform for collaboration"
The network draws on the expertise of 28 highly qualified researchers from ten Quebec research institutions. Participating researchers are recognized for their many successes such as the Chair in Food Safety and Quality (Monique Lacroix, INRS), the NSERC Prolamina Industrial Research Chair in Safe, Smart and Sustainable Packaging (3SPack) (Abdellah Ajji, Polytechnique Montr茅al), the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Metabolic Activities and Functionality of Bioprotective Lactic Cultures (METABIOLAC) (Ismail Fliss, ULaval, INAF) and the Director at STELA (Steve Labrie, ULaval, INAF). They also received prestigious awards: Val茅rie Orsat (捆绑SM社区), winner of the Suffrage Science Award in Engineering and Physical Sciences (March 2021); Jennifer Ronholm (捆绑SM社区), winner of the World Economic Forum鈥檚 Young Scientist Award (2020).
Theme A
The development of multidimensional platforms of multifunctional natural ingredients and technologies to accelerate innovation and increase the competitiveness of the food industries
础1:听Development of multidimensional approaches (e.g. an intelligent platform) to identify and select multifunctional natural ingredients听 捆绑SM社区, Centre de recherche et de d茅veloppement de Saint-Hyacinthe - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
础2:听Mapping of existing and emerging technologies to accelerate innovation and to increase the competitiveness of Qu茅bec's food industries听听Cintech agroalimentaire, 捆绑SM社区
Theme B
Better understanding of the consumers perception of naturalness; and the development of approaches and technological solutions (packaging, ...) allowing for a clean label and to increase the pro-health aspect of food
B1: The naturalness of food products: a multi-method approach to better understand consumer perceptions and their behavior听 HEC Montr茅al, Universit茅 Laval
B2: Development of active packaging solutions for the prolonged storage of sensitive food products听听Polytechnique Montr茅al, ITEGA, 捆绑SM社区
B3: Support for the development of foods fortified with protein, vitamin D and iron听听Universit茅 Laval, 捆绑SM社区
Theme C
Investigation of targeted strategies to ensure food safety while maintaining a clean label
C1 : Development of bioprotective cultures and natural ingredients with antifungal activity for the bioconservation of bakery and pastry products听听Universit茅 Laval, 捆绑SM社区
C2 :听Development of antifungal and antibacterial ingredients from natural sources and the process of their encapsulation to maintain the quality of grated cheese听听INRS, 捆绑SM社区, Universit茅 Laval
C3 : Technologies allowing for minimal treatment while maintaining the integrity of nutrients. Piezo-steam (ultrasonic and steam treatment) and cold plasma, applied to vegetables and meat products听听捆绑SM社区
C4 :听Developing innovative approaches to decontaminate dry ingredients听听Cintech agroalimentaire
Theme D
The exploration of sustainable solutions to reduce the use of cleaning water and food waste, as well as the valorization of by-products and underutilized products听
D1 : Biofilm Control: Innovative solutions for the reduction of contamination and the optimization of cleaning
Universit茅 Laval, Centre de recherche et de d茅veloppement de Saint-Hyacinthe - Agriculture and听Agri-Food Canada
D2 : Development of analytical approaches for the determination of quality and the听detection of microbial contamination of food (maple syrup, flours, cheeses, spices)听听捆绑SM社区
D3 : New approaches to high-value carbohydrate by-products (lactose, ...) and contribute to the sustainability of the industry听 捆绑SM社区
D4 : Valorization of industrial co-products with high commercial value听听Centre de D茅veloppement Bioalimentaire du Qu茅bec, Universit茅 Laval
Partners
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New : Fast Track Call for Competitive Project Proposals
The RITA Consortium announces the launch of a Fast-Track call for competitive project proposals resulting from precompetitive RITA-CTAQ II network.
Indeed, some industrial partners are very interested in the progress achieved so far for selected research activities of our network, and this accelerated call for proposal for competitive projects would allow efficient technology transfer adapted to the needs of the companies participating in the second network.
In this regard, please let us know your needs and your intention to pursue a specific competitive project. We could facilitate the development and implementation of these accelerated competitive projects.
To be eligible, the project has to:
- Result from a research activity of the RITA-CTAQ II pre-competitive network (A1 to D4)
- Start as early as possible, but end no later than June 30, 2023.
- Include a financial participation of industrial partners representing a minimum of 20%.
The financial aid granted by RITA can represent up to 70% for a maximum of $160,000 per project.
To apply, you must complete the following documents and return them consortiumrita [at] mcgill.ca (by email), including:
- Accelerated Project Request Form (instructions at the end of the form)
- Detailed budget of the project
- Participating industry information form
Please note that, the application requests will be processed as they are received.
Any questions or comments about this new component of RITA's Collaborative and Competitive Platform, please consortiumrita [at] mcgill.ca (contact us) and it will be a pleasure to guide you through the steps and support you in the applying process.听听