IFF Launches Transformational Culture to Drive Energy and Water Efficiency in Semi-Hard Cheese Production – Yahoo Finance

IFF Launches Innovative CHOOZIT® LIFT Culture to Enhance Sustainable Semi-Hard Cheese Production

Introduction

On June 26, 2025, IFF (NYSE: IFF), a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, announced the launch of CHOOZIT® LIFT, a pioneering culture designed to revolutionize the production of semi-hard cheeses. This innovation emphasizes significant advancements in sustainability and operational efficiency, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

CHOOZIT® LIFT: A Bioscience-Driven Solution

Powered by advanced bioscience, CHOOZIT® LIFT combines sophisticated bacterial strain design with practical cheesemaking expertise to eliminate the traditional curd washing step in semi-hard cheese production. This step, historically essential for controlling acidity and texture, is water-intensive and energy-consuming.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Water and Energy Efficiency
   • Eliminates the curd washing step, reducing water usage by approximately 3 liters per kilogram of cheese produced.
   • For facilities producing 10,000 tons annually, this translates to a potential saving of 25,000 cubic meters of water each year.
   • Reduces energy consumption related to whey treatment, storage, and transportation.
2. Maintained Product Quality
   • Controls post-acidification naturally through a blend of bacterial strains, ensuring consistent taste and texture without bitterness.
   • Supports reliable production even during seasonal water shortages.
3. Economic and Environmental Impact
   • Streamlines production processes, lowering operational costs.
   • Reduces environmental footprint, contributing to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – By significantly reducing water consumption in cheese production, CHOOZIT® LIFT supports sustainable water management and conservation efforts.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The culture represents a breakthrough innovation in the dairy industry, promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The solution encourages efficient resource use and reduces waste, aligning with responsible production practices.

Statements from IFF Leadership

Annie Mornet, Senior Business Product Director for Cheese at IFF, stated:

“The future of dairy production is about achieving more with less—less water, less energy, less compromise. CHOOZIT® LIFT combines the centuries-old craft of cheesemaking with cutting-edge bioscience to unlock that future.”

Rossana Rodriguez, Global Business Director for Dairy Biosciences at IFF, added:

“With semi-hard cheeses like Gouda accounting for almost 30% of all industrial cheese produced annually, CHOOZIT® LIFT offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at scale, benefiting both businesses and the planet while preserving the high quality that defines great cheese.”

Conclusion

CHOOZIT® LIFT exemplifies IFF’s commitment to sustainable innovation, delivering measurable economic, environmental, and quality benefits in cheese production. This development supports global efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting water conservation, energy efficiency, and responsible industrial practices.

Additional Information

For more details on CHOOZIT® LIFT, visit here.

About IFF

IFF (NYSE: IFF) is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, dedicated to creating sustainable innovations that enhance wellness and the human experience. Learn more at iff.com.

Contact Information

• Andrea Virginia Leroux Páez
  Global Communications Manager, Food Biosciences, Health & Biosciences
  Phone: +34 664 17 82 17
  Email: AndreaV.Leroux@iff.com

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article highlights significant water savings in cheese production by eliminating the water-intensive curd washing step.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The launch of CHOOZIT® LIFT represents innovation in food bioscience and cheesemaking technology.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The solution reduces resource use (water and energy) and lowers environmental footprint in cheese manufacturing.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – By reducing energy consumption and environmental footprint, the product contributes to climate action efforts.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6 – Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.
2. SDG 9 – Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
3. SDG 12 – Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13 – Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Water Savings per Unit of Production: The article states that producing 1 kilogram of semi-hard cheese with CHOOZIT® LIFT saves 3 liters of water.
• Total Annual Water Savings: For plants producing 10,000 tons of cheese per year, water savings amount to approximately 25,000 cubic meters annually.
• Energy Use Reduction: Implied through reduced whey treatment costs including energy usage, storage, and transportation.
• Product Quality Consistency: Maintaining high-quality cheese without bitterness or compromise, ensuring consumer satisfaction.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: finance.yahoo.com