Dairy-based ingredients

Children under 2 years should avoid all added sugars, says Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

18-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Children under the age of 2 years should avoid all added sugars in order to better make “every bite count,” according to the Dietary Guidelines advisory subcommittee tasked with creating the first ever dietary guidelines for children younger than 24 months....

General Mills launches three-year regenerative dairy pilot project

16-Jun-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

General Mills – maker of Yoplait and Liberté yogurt brands – has launched a regenerative agriculture pilot project at three dairy farms in Michigan, a key sourcing region for the company's fluid milk supply.

BIOMILQ raises $3.5m to fund mammary cell-cultured human breastmilk platform, disrupt infant nutrition market

16-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

BIOMILQ – a startup producing breastmilk by culturing human mammary cells - has raised $3.5m to meet the needs of the four fifths of women who transition to dairy-based formula before the recommended six-month exclusivity period for breastfeeding, but...

Hartman Group: Organic ‘is still meaningful, but … doesn’t symbolize everything’ consumers want

11-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as sales and consumer perception of the quality of USDA organic certified continue to grow, new consumer research from the Hartman Group suggests the label’s long-held status as the gold standard may be starting to slip.

PMG: Throw out marketing playbook and adopt watch-and-respond approach to consumer sentiment

05-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

To remain relevant to consumers as they navigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the economic downturn and the anti-racism movement sweeping America, food and beverage brands need to shelve their current marketing playbooks and potentially any pre-set...

Investing in the Future of Food: NextGenChef connects ‘foodpreneurs’ with mentors, consumers online

03-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

No longer able to rely on conferences, in-store demos or serendipitous meetings to raise awareness of a new business or product, entrepreneurs increasing are connecting with each other, mentors and consumers through subscription-based online platforms...

Brands' support of anti-racism movement balances business benefits, risks

03-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Many food and beverage companies are joining the fight against racism in America by temporarily pausing sales, using their voices and positions to raise awareness of systemic racism in the US, donating profits and pulling advertising from platforms that...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: How do fad diets & personalized nutrition influence the obesity epidemic?

01-Jun-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even before the threat of the “quarantine 15” – or the idea that some Americans are at risk of packing on 15 pounds during the pandemic due to stress-baking, mindless snacking and reduced physical activity – the rate of obesity in America has been stubbornly...

Good PLANeT Foods raises $12m to expand its plant-based cheese empire

26-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

Allergen-friendly plant-based cheese brand GOOD PLANeT Foods has raised $12m in a series A round led by Cleveland Avenue, and supported by GreatPoint Ventures, Tasseo Consumer, Stray Dog Capital, and Lever VC.

FDA grants temporary labeling flexibility for non-allergen minor ingredients

22-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

With many food manufacturers experiencing difficulties in sourcing some ingredients during the pandemic, the FDA is allowing temporary flexibility in food labeling requirements enabling them to make minor formulation changes without updating labels, provided...

Miyoko’s Creamery experiments with higher protein products, gears up for battle over plant ‘butter’ labels

22-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

Plant-based dairy brand Miyoko’s Creamery – which built an artisan cheese brand based on cashew nuts but has since introduced new products featuring legumes and oats - is experimenting with a novel ingredient that’s naturally high in protein, and developing...

SNA: School nutrition programs face ‘crippling financial losses’ that threaten service for next year

19-May-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Higher costs associated with serving school meals to needy children during the coronavirus pandemic paired with reduced program participation are generating “crippling financial losses” that could compromise efforts to serve students next year unless...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Consumers embrace local, organic food amid coronavirus pandemic

18-May-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

While consumer interest in where food comes from and how it is produced has been growing in recent years, an organic industry leader says the coronavirus pandemic has turbocharged shoppers’ interest in local, organic and sustainably produced products...

Chobani president: 'When this is all over, companies will be judged on how they behaved...'

14-May-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Through a combination of donations, supply chain reinforcement and upcoming retail promotions, Chobani is staying true to its food philosophy – or “D.N.N.A.” to provide all Americans “delicious, nutritious, natural and accessible” food, despite mounting...

“Supply chain problem solving doesn’t occur in a vacuum,” CBA says of new critical infrastructure council

12-May-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Following recent high-profile claims that the food supply chain is buckling under pressure from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Consumer Brands Association is teaming with more than 35 trade associations to address long- and short-term challenges...

N’ice cream… minus the cows? Smitten teams with Perfect Day to make next-generation vegan ice cream

08-May-2020 By Elaine Watson

San Francisco-based Smitten Ice Cream is the first food company to use ‘non-animal’ whey protein from Perfect Day in a commercial product, giving the market a glimpse of how foods featuring these ingredients might be marketed.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Navigating coronavirus’ uneven impact to chart a path forward for groceries

04-May-2020 By Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Navigating coronavirus’ uneven impact to chart a path forward for groceries

While some food and beverage brands have enjoyed tremendous growth following the coronavirus outbreak, others have been completely "pummeled" by government and consumer response to the virus – revealing a division that could provide a road map...

Kroger buys and redirects dairy farmers’ surplus milk to Feeding America food banks

01-May-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Kroger is purchasing 200,000 gallons of fluid milk from dairy farmers who have struggled to find new buyers to purchase their excess supply (much of which was originally destined for foodservice and schools before the pandemic hit). The milk will be redirected...

Mondelēz to cut SKUs and 'significantly' reduce innovation projects: ‘We are working on making our business simpler’

30-Apr-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Driven by strong demand for its snacks products in North America, Mondelēz International reported 2.6% growth in net revenue to $6.7bn for Q1 2020, offsetting sales downturns in other areas of the business including world travel retail and away-from-home...

USDA eases eligibility for retailers, foods to comply with WIC requirements as shortages hinder access

27-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The US Department of Agriculture is making it easier for low-income participants in the Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program to fill their grocery carts despite lingering shortages of program-eligible food staples due to panicked...

Additional federal funding, access to protective equipment needed to feed children through schools

23-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

While the federal government has taken several steps in recent weeks to help feed low-income children during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a leading public health advocate argues more must be done to protect the one in 10 children facing food insecurity...

Three Twins Ice Cream ceases operations: ‘Any chances of a last minute solution were erased by the pandemic’

21-Apr-2020 By Elaine Watson

Organic ice cream brand Three Twins has ceased operations after a 15-year rollercoaster ride, with founder Neal Gottlieb thanking staff and ice cream fans for their support but explaining that he had been unable to get to the scale “where we could have...

Pod Foods helps retailers, emerging brands more easily connect even during coronavirus pandemic

20-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The tech-forward distribution and logistics platform Pod Foods is offering a lifeline to emerging brands struggling to get on store shelves at a time when many retailers and traditional distributors are prioritizing more established, high-demand brands...

Eggs, flour, sugar... Quarantine baking pushes staple ingredients into the spotlight

17-Apr-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

At-home baking has exploded as a go-to quarantine activity among US households, causing a shift in consumer attitudes for overlooked pantry ingredients and heightened demand for highly-scrutinized ingredients such as 'refined' sugar.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Consumers are ‘primed’ for personalized nutrition solutions

17-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the infection rate and death toll of the novel coronavirus continue to climb, more Americans are re-thinking their diet to help ward off infection, as illustrated by the dramatic increase in sales of immunity products and people buying them in the...

Startups in Food-X’s 11th cohort offer solutions to weaknesses in the food system revealed by COVID-19

14-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Rather than hit pause during the ongoing pandemic like many other investors, global venture capital fund SOSV’s Food-X accelerator is moving full steam ahead by welcoming to its 11th cohort eight companies that are directly tackling challenges coronavirus...

Perfect Day secures no objections letter from FDA for non-animal whey protein

14-Apr-2020 By Elaine Watson

Perfect Day, a startup producing milk proteins via microbial fermentation (minus the cows), has secured a coveted 'no questions/objections' letter from the FDA in response to its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) determination for 'non-animal'...

Dairy industry continues to deal with coronavirus ‘gut punch’ finding new ways to absorb excess supply

13-Apr-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Dairy groups are working to soften the blow the COVID-19 crisis has had on the industry with new strategies to move more milk and dairy products into the market.

Food & beverage manufacturers thank first-responders, help feed those in need during pandemic

10-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The generosity of the food and beverage industry is on full display as companies – some with limited resources – give what they can to those serving on the frontlines of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to those in need, including many who unexpectedly...

Next generation cultures from DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences create the 'dream yogurt'

08-Apr-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

With the release of its new YO-MIX PRIME yogurt cultures, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences says it has entered a new chapter of yogurt formulation offering manufacturers and consumers a more consistent product that maintains a mild taste profile throughout...

‘Hard-hit’ dairy producers struggle despite surging sales of milk, cheese & butter during pandemic

06-Apr-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite surging sales of milk, cheese and butter as consumers pantry-stock and prepare more meals at home amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, dairy producers are struggling as prices at the farm gate have plummeted, major markets have evaporated and...

Chobani moves to #2 spot in oatmilk (Nielsen US food, week to 3/21) three months into launch, sees significant rise in core yogurt sales amid coronavirus

02-Apr-2020 By Elaine Watson

Chobani experienced significant sales uplifts in its core yogurt business in March as shoppers stocked up on dairy items (along with everything else), but the rising star in its portfolio is oatmilk, with new brand Chobani Oat overtaking Oatly and Silk,...

Brands selling on Amazon must rethink advertising to navigate out-of-stocks, delayed shipping

31-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Hard-hit e-commerce players, including Amazon, saw a slight reprieve in orders last week, but marketing consultants with the collective Right Side Up predict that there will be a resurgence in sales in the coming weeks that will require brands to re-think...

IFT 2020 annual meeting & expo to transition to virtual event

31-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2020 annual meeting & expo - scheduled to take place in Chicago July 12-15 - will transition to a virtual event, the organizers confirmed Monday, citing the need to "prioritize the health and safety of...

CBA: Concern about grocery shortages eases as more Americans feel their pantries are well-stocked

30-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Americans’ fears about accessing essential products, including food and beverages, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic may be ebbing slightly, even as their concern about the virus generally continues to rise, according to new data from the Consumer...

Consumers pick up back to basics cooking skills and 'stress baking' during coronavirus quarantine

25-Mar-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumers are getting back to basics with their online grocery shopping as they use their extended periods of time at home to learn basic cooking skills and recipes such as how to bake a potato, make homemade bread, and how to cook rice, according to...

Industry trade groups work together to fill gaps, create economic stability as COVID-19 spreads

23-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

An ad-hoc partnership between FMI-Food Industry Association, the International Foodservice Distributors Association, United Produce Association and National Fisheries Institute aims to help overwhelmed grocery retailers keep shelves stocked, stores clean...

Food, beverage & CPG players ask legislators, regulators for relief from negative impact of Covid-19

18-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food and beverage industry leaders are pleading for help from regulators, legislators and the state and national agencies that oversee their sectors.

Proposal to simplify school meals could ‘put children’s health and education at risk,’ research finds

18-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

A controversial USDA proposed rule to “simplify” school meal standards by allowing less fruit, fewer whole grains and less diverse vegetables to be served at breakfast and lunch could negatively impact students’ academic performance and health, according...

Higher organic animal welfare standards one step closer after court sides with Organic Trade Association

16-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The Organic Trade Association is optimistic that a final rule elevating animal welfare standards for organic producers will be reinstated after it was withdrawn without warning by the Trump Administration following its passage during the 11th hour of...

siggi’s CEO: We need to see yogurt more as a better for you snack to bring the category back into steady growth

12-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of refrigerated yogurt and kefir were flat (-0.1%) in the 52 weeks to February 23, and down -0.4% in the latest 12 week period, according to SPINS data,* but this doesn’t mean that we’ve hit ‘peak yogurt,’ insists siggi’s, which recently...

Horizon Organic’s ‘unprecedented goal’ to be carbon positive by 2025 could pave path for industry

03-Mar-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recognizing that climate change is “the challenge of our lifetime” and that farming and livestock contribute nearly 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, Horizon Organic is taking a three-prong approach to help mitigate the threat by becoming the...

Investing in the Future of Food: YoFiit teams with Food-X to find white space in non-dairy milk

26-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

As consumer demand for and sales of non-dairy milk alternatives continue to climb, so too are the number of players and variety of products in the space – making it more difficult for newcomers to standout unless, like Canadian-based YoFiit, they offer...

Ellenos primed to disrupt stagnating yogurt segment with $18m investment by KIND Snacks’ founder

25-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

KIND Snacks’ founder and executive chairman Daniel Lubetzky is betting that the Seattle-based Greek yogurt brand Ellenos can do for the maturing yogurt category what he did for the snack bar category when he first introduced his fruit and nut bars in...

Coronavirus interrupts China’s dairy supply chain, cannot be ignored

25-Feb-2020 By Beth Newhart

Even a 30-day disruption to China’s dairy supply chain can have lasting, months-long effects. With the region crippled by coronavirus quarantines and no clear end in sight, dairy organizations look to offset the losses.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Consumer Brands Association uncovers what keeps CPG leaders up at night

21-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The consumer packaged goods industry may be composed of diverse companies offering disparate products ranging from toothpaste to pet food to canned soup, but a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Brands Association reveals 86% of CPG leaders place...

General Mills is banking on a new box of $13 cereal & other innovations in yogurt, bars to buoy sales

19-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

General Mills’ strategy to accelerate top line growth by investing heavily in categories that have been declining, slowing or becoming increasingly crowded may seem counter-intuitive, but according to CEO Jeff Harmening, it is working.

Launch of Eat Beyond Global investment fund opens doors for retail investors in plant-based segment

18-Feb-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

Drawn to the rapid sales growth and widespread consumer interest in plant-based alternatives to animal products, a team of investors and industry experts has launched the Eat Beyond Global Investment Fund to connect retail investors with potentially fast-growing...

Keto diet best in small doses, suggests mouse study

17-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Touted as an effective weight loss regimen, the keto diet has gone from niche to mainstream, with CPG products clamoring to align themselves with the trend. But are its immediate results outweighed by longer-term negative effects?

Product of the Year USA: Which food and beverage products won consumers' votes?

14-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Based on a national study of 40,000 consumers conducted by global consumer research firm Kantar, Product of the Year USA revealed consumers' favorite products across food and beverage categories.