Vaquería Tres Monjitas today announced the launch of the first long-life fresh milk product worldwide, after an investment of local private capital of more than $ 7.5 million and the acquisition of exclusive rights for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the Millisecond Technology (MST) technology. The production of this new product will provide a necessary boost to the local dairy industry and allow consumers to enjoy the rich taste of fresh milk, now lasting more than 30 days. The product will be available in the market from the month of May.
“This innovation of Tres Monjitas, puts the local dairy industry at the forefront of the industry worldwide, being the pioneers in commercially using this technology. This will benefit local farmers by giving them more opportunities to sell fresh milk inside and outside of Puerto Rico and will have a multiplier effect on the Island’s economy, “said Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, during the opening ceremonies. of the new process that is integrated into the operations of the Tres Monjitas plant in Hato Rey. ”
For 101 years, Tres Monjitas has been an integral part of the local dairy industry and Puerto Rican families, producing and distributing dairy products of the highest quality. To that same quality, recognized by our corporate clients and by consumers, now joins the factor of greater durability, to provide them with a fresh milk product superior to the one we know today. We began the celebration of our second centenary, with the most important innovation in the industry since “grade A” was granted to the milk produced in Puerto Rico, “said Jaime Fonalledas, president of Vaquería Tres Monjitas.
MST is a technology developed by the group of engineers of JCS Systems in coordination with the Integrated Food Manufacturing Center of the Department of Food Sciences of Purdue University. Through the MST process, which occurs prior to the regular pasteurization process of the fresh milk, the milk undergoes a process of sudden pressure changes in a very short time, at temperatures lower than those used in the pasteurization process. This allows the flavor of fresh milk and all its nutrients to be maintained while, at the same time, all bacteria and microorganisms that affect its durability are eliminated. The technology has been in the process of testing and validation for more than 15 years and today Puerto Rico is the first market in the world to use it commercially.
Jaime Luis Fonalledas, executive vice president of Tres Monjitas, said that “With MST, we will completely transform the dairy industry in Puerto Rico by producing products that are now imported. This will also allow us to grow the market by selling in the Virgin Islands, continue to innovate with new fresh milk products and close the door to the import of this product since the technology is exclusive to Tres Monjitas, “he concluded. For his part, Orlando González Núñez, general manager of the company, said that “this launch is the result of teamwork that has been extended for a period of more than 18 months in which we have, not only with the support of our more than 500 employees, but also with suppliers and business partners who have contributed their knowledge and experience to make possible the launch of this product in Puerto Rico, first of all in any other market “.
During the first phase of production of long-lasting fresh milk, they will be launched in the varieties of fresh whole milk, 2% reduced in fat, 1% low in fat and 0% non-fat, in 59-ounce cardboard packaging. The lactose-free variety includes whole milk, 2% reduced in fat, 1% low in fat and 0% fat-free in 48-oz. Packages. Specialized milk fortified with 67% calcium will also be launched more than whole milk, without 0% fat. In addition, it will have milk with chocolate 2% reduced in fat in packaging of 32 ounces.
This innovation of Vaquería Tres Monjitas joins other efforts that the company has made in the last three years for which it has invested more than $ 17 million dollars in machinery, technology, renewal of fleet, new deposit in Mayagüez, new office and launches of new products as they have been derived from milk as thick cream, sour cream, and Half & Half, in addition to UHT milk, bottled water, evaporated milk, among others.
Vaquería Tres Monjitas is the only processing plant for fresh milk of purely Puerto Rican capital that is still in operation today. The company was founded in 1918 by a local family group, and currently produces fresh milk and dairy products, juices and fruit drinks, water and mixtures for whipping and shortening, as well as distributing refrigerated products for other companies. Tres Monjitas is an integral part of the main agricultural industry in the country and has more than 500 employees.
