UniSZA Drives Local Food Industry Innovation With 10 New Products

JERTIH, June 24 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), through its Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry (FBIM), continues to drive innovation in the local food manufacturing sector with the creation of 10 new food products by its students under the 2026 New Food Product programme.

FBIM dean Prof Dr Hafizan Juahir said the programme, which entered its 17th edition this year, highlights pumpkin and chilli-based products as part of the efforts to develop the potential of local agricultural resources.

A total of 10 teams comprising Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Halal Food Development students competed against each other to create their own unique products.

“This programme poses a significant challenge for students to develop competitive new food products based on their respective creativity,” he told reporters at the launch of the 2026 New Food Product programme at the UniSZA Besut Campus here today.

He said this year's programme was further enlivened by the participation of three international mobility students from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Brunei, who shared ideas and experiences from their home country.

Hafizan said among the student creations were frozen yoghurt, glazed pumpkin, pumpkin-based nuggets, pumpkin chewy candies and crispy chilli-based snacks.

At the event, the Embere group, led by 25-year-old student Anis Insyirah Abd Razak, was crowned champion for their innovative pumpkin-based frozen yoghurt product.

Anis Insyirah said her team took 12 weeks to produce the food item, which was inspired by the traditional Malaysian dessert, pengat labu.

“Our product was developed using a combination of Greek yoghurt, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, and palm sugar (gula melaka), providing a creamy, refreshing, and unique flavour to consumers.

“In addition to highlighting traditional flavours, this yoghurt product is enriched with probiotics and natural ingredients, making it a much healthier, nutritious, and delicious dessert option in the market,” she said.

-- BERNAMA