Chapman University Wins Mars Food Product Development Competition

CHICAGO – August 20, 2024 – The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), a student-governed community of members of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is pleased to announce that Chapman University in Orange, California, has won the IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition. The team was recently honored at IFT FIRST: Annual Event & Expo, IFT’s popular food science, technology, and innovation showcase aimed at addressing the biggest issues impacting the global food system that attracted more than 16,000 attendees and over 1,100 exhibitors.

The IFTSA & Mars Product Development Competition, sponsored by Mars Wrigley, challenges students to take the skills and knowledge learned in school and apply them to a real-world situation. Each participating school’s team develops a new food idea and carries the concept through marketing and production, much like a commercial product development team.

The Chapman University team won with SOL – Spice of Life, a vanilla chai-flavored, shelf-stable ultra-high temperature, dairy-based wellness beverage. It is a pioneering ultra-filtered milk-based wellness shot offering unparalleled versatility in consumption methods while accommodating lactose-intolerant individuals. The product also contains cognitive functional ingredients including L-theanine to provide alertness and mental clarity beyond the benefits of caffeine.

Two finalists were also recognized at IFT FIRST: Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, placed second for Nonna’s Nopales, a frozen meal kit containing gnocchi made from nopal cactus pads, while California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, placed third for Mango Sticky Bites, an Asian fusion dessert inspired by two traditional desserts, mango sticky rice and Daifuku.

All finalists received partial reimbursement for their trip to IFT FIRST as well as a monetary prize. The Chapman University team was awarded $3,000, while second and third place were awarded $1,500 and $500, respectively.

Learn more about IFTSA.

About Institute of Food Technologists Student Association

The Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) is a student-governed community of more than 2,000 IFT members spanning 62 Chapters in 60 countries. IFTSA’s vision of a global community of inspired and informed students who are prepared for a future in food drives its mission to enrich the academic experience and empower students to thrive individually and together. To prepare the future and celebrate the community, IFTSA provides opportunities beyond the classroom and lab, grows student networks to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, as well as includes and promotes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging. For more information, visit ift.org/community/students.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of over 11,000 individual members from more than 90 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contacts

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, Public and Media Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]

Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Marketing
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
[email protected]