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Second Network

Second Network Banner - Science in support of the food industry

13 Research Activities
10 Research Institutions
17 Industrial partners

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 Montréal), 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: Valérie Orsat (Ã山ǿ¼é), winner of the Suffrage Science Award in Engineering and Physical Sciences (March 2021); Jennifer Ronholm (Ã山ǿ¼é), winner of the World Economic Forum’s 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

´¡1:ÌýDevelopment of multidimensional approaches (e.g. an intelligent platform) to identify and select multifunctional natural ingredientsÌý Ã山ǿ¼é, Centre de recherche et de développement de Saint-Hyacinthe - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

´¡2:ÌýMapping of existing and emerging technologies to accelerate innovation and to increase the competitiveness of Québec's food industriesÌýÌýCintech agroalimentaire, Ã山ǿ¼é

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 behaviorÌý HEC Montréal, Université Laval

Une pomme avec des informations nutritionnelles

B2: Development of active packaging solutions for the prolonged storage of sensitive food productsÌýÌýPolytechnique Montréal, ITEGA, Ã山ǿ¼é

B3: Support for the development of foods fortified with protein, vitamin D and ironÌýÌýUniversité Laval, Ã山ǿ¼é

Theme C

Investigation of targeted strategies to ensure food safety while maintaining a clean label

Fresh Bread Picture

C1 : Development of bioprotective cultures and natural ingredients with antifungal activity for the bioconservation of bakery and pastry productsÌýÌýUniversité Laval, Ã山ǿ¼é

C2 :ÌýDevelopment of antifungal and antibacterial ingredients from natural sources and the process of their encapsulation to maintain the quality of grated cheeseÌýÌýINRS, Ã山ǿ¼é, Université 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 productsÌýÌýÃ山ǿ¼é

C4 :ÌýDeveloping innovative approaches to decontaminate dry ingredientsÌýÌýCintech agroalimentaireGrains

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 productsÌý

D1 : Biofilm Control: Innovative solutions for the reduction of contamination and the optimization of cleaning

Université Laval, Centre de recherche et de développement de Saint-Hyacinthe - Agriculture andÌýAgri-Food Canada

Phage

D2 : Development of analytical approaches for the determination of quality and theÌýdetection of microbial contamination of food (maple syrup, flours, cheeses, spices)ÌýÌýÃ山ǿ¼éFTIR Spectra

D3 : New approaches to high-value carbohydrate by-products (lactose, ...) and contribute to the sustainability of the industryÌý Ã山ǿ¼é

HMF production naturel

D4 : Valorization of industrial co-products with high commercial valueÌýÌýCentre de Développement Bioalimentaire du Québec, Université LavalProduction avec coproduits

Partners

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Partenaires industriels et de recherches

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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:

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.ÌýÌý

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