The American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) announced that Phillip S. Tong is the 2013 recipient of the Award of Merit. The Award of Merit was established in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made a significant difference in the processed dairy products industry.

"ADPI members widely acknowledged Phil's numerous contributions to the processed dairy products industry throughout his distinguished career," said ADPI's CEO, David Thomas. "ADPI is pleased to recognize his service to the industry with this award."

Tong has had an active career ranging from research scientist to academia to the History Channel. Tong received his BS from UC Davis in Food Science and Technology and both his MS and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University in Food Science. He started his career at Kraft, Inc. and then moved to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he has enjoyed a 25 year career. Tong is Professor of Dairy Science and Director of the Dairy Products Technology Center. Tong has instructed undergraduate and graduate courses on dairy foods processing, organized numerous symposia and short courses including the annual Dairy Ingredients Symposium now in its 15th year, and has active research and applications programs in dairy ingredients. He co-authored the original proposal that established the California Dairy Foods Research Center in 1986.

During his tenure at Cal Poly, Tong and his group have conducted a wide range of research to improve the quality and use of dairy foods and dairy ingredients. Their research and educational programs have helped to facilitate industry's application of protein standardization of skim powder for the export market, novel applications of dairy ingredients in food systems, and improvements in membrane processing for dairy ingredients manufacture.

Additionally, Tong has co-authored over 100 publications and book chapters. He contributes a quarterly column for Dairy Foods magazine and has appeared in dairy food segments for the History Channel and PBS. He also has been a major contributor to the annual ADPI Dairy Ingredients Seminar in Shell Beach, CA and he served on the organizing committee for the 2011 International Whey Conference. Through his work with USDEC he has given numerous training seminars in Pacific Basin nations as well as hosting international buyers of US dairy ingredients at Cal Poly. He also was pivotal in the planning and organization of IDF's 3rd International Recombined Milk and Milk Products Symposium held May, 2004 in Cancun, Mexico.

The American Dairy Products Institute is the leading national trade association representing manufacturers and marketers of dairy-based ingredients. ADPI's sole mission is to increase the worldwide use of dairy ingredients by marshaling the technical, manufacturing, and marketing resources of its members and others. For more information, visit our website at www.adpi.org.