Pratistha Banerjee is a Product Development and Commercialization Manager at Darigold, a global supplier of dairy and specialty food products.

Pratistha shares insights into her role, emphasizing that food product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients, supplier collaboration, and navigating complex operational and regulatory requirements in the dairy industry. She discusses the challenges of optimizing existing products and taking new product ideas from concept to plant launch, as well as what innovation truly means in a large food company. Pratistha highlights the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and communication in building a successful career.

Throughout the conversation, Pratistha reflects on her journey from early career roles to her current position. She emphasizes adaptability, continuous learning, and the value of building strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and operators. For students and aspiring food scientists, Pratistha encourages experimenting, learning from real-world challenges, and understanding the functional and technical aspects of ingredients.

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Shownotes

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TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) What Food Product Development Really Is and Isn't (02:10) How Pratistha Got Into Product Development (05:00) What a Product Development Manager Does Day to Day (08:40) How Food Products Go from Idea to Launch (12:30) Why Food Product Ideas Fail at Scale (17:00) Theory vs Reality in Food Product Development (21:30) Working With Plants, Suppliers, and Operations (26:10) What Innovation Actually Means in the Food Industry (31:00) How Product Developers Solve Complex Problems (36:20) Choosing Between Food Industry Career Paths (41:30) Networking Advice for Introverted Students (47:40) What Students Should Start Doing Now

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