Dairy-based ingredients

2020 Dietary Guidelines should consider impact of food groups on disease endpoints, says expert

24-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Proposed research questions for the 2020 Dietary Guidelines that continue to focus on consumption in relation to nutrient adequacy are “disappointing,” and a better use of resources would be to look at the impact of food groups on disease endpoints, argues...

More Americans are avoiding sugar – but what do they want instead for sweetness?

23-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

More Americans say they are cutting back on sugar as their collective awareness rises about the prevalence and potential health impact of the ingredient, but those who still want something sweet are not clear on what the best option is, according to new...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Emerging design and packaging trends to meet changing consumer values

20-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With only one shot to make a first impression, it is essential that images and messages on product packaging clearly communicate companies’ principles and meet consumers’ evolving values.

What’s the real reason behind Halo Top’s success? Mintel explains

18-Apr-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

‘Dieting’ and ‘reduced fat’ have become passé phrases in the world of packaged food replaced with terms like ‘clean label’ and ‘locally-sourced’, so what can explain low-calorie ice cream alternative Halo Top’s dramatic takeover of the frozen dessert...

Healthy Height nutritional shake mixes targets kids short of stature, but should not be seen as a meal replacement

17-Apr-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Parents of children falling behind on the growth scale have few options to supplement their child’s nutrition that aren’t a full blown meal replacement product, which is exactly the market void Healthy Height shake mixes is seeking to fill.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Consumers’ continuing love-affair with protein is evolving with new sources

13-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Americans’ long-term love affair with protein shows no sign of slowing, but new research from the full service sales and marketing firm Acosta suggests that the sources of the macronutrient that shoppers are buying is evolving as are their reason for...

DanoneWave rebrands to Danone North America and becomes largest company to receive B-Corp Certification

12-Apr-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

After one year as DanoneWave, to reflect the April 2017 merger of Danone and US-based White Wave Foods, the company has rebranded to Danone North America and has also become the largest Certified B Corporation (B Corp) in the world.

Fat, fiber & whole grains among attributes that drive consumption, while sugar remains a turn-off

12-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

For many consumers, “fats” remains a four-letter word to avoid, despite the health claims and media buzz surrounding grass fed butter, coconut oil, avocados, omega-3s and other sources of the nutrient, according to an industry analyst with NPD Group.

State of Organic Industry Part 1

Organic dairy poised for the ‘next level of penetration’ even as US dairy milk sales fall

10-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

While overall US dairy milk sales are in virtual freefall, the organic industry has managed to stay one step ahead so far, but it is nearing saturation with fluid milk and needs to find new outlets to reach the “next level of penetration,” according to...

Explore how to cut sugar without cutting taste at our Sweeteners & Sugar Reduction Live Forum April 18

04-Apr-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

While recent Mintel data reveals a whopping 84% of US consumers say they are reducing the amount of sugar in their diet as a way to manage their weight and improve their health, many are unwilling to completely give up sweets – leaving manufacturers scrambling...

Rep. DeLauro to GAO: Do we need a new regulatory framework for cellular agriculture?

02-Apr-2018 By Elaine Watson

As meat made by culturing cells – instead of raising and slaughtering animals – gets closer to commercialization, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Dem-CT) has asked the government accountability office (GAO) to conduct a review to determine if the technology requires...

Expo West 2018

Beech-Nut takes on toddler snacks with new bars, melty yogurt and produce bites and easy packaging

29-Mar-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Beech-Nut is hoping to do for the toddler snack space what it did four years ago for the ‘tired and dated’ baby food category by launching new products in revamped packaging for young children that are inspired by what parents make at home, but more convenient.

NMPF hails victory over plant-based 'milks' in spending bill, PBFA says claims have 'zero legal significance'

23-Mar-2018 By Elaine Watson

The omnibus spending bill just passed in the House directs the FDA to strengthen and enforce dairy standards of identity in a bid to crack down on plant-based 'imitators,' claim milk producers. But the Plant Based Foods Association says the...

Expo West 2018

Eight trends that are reshaping the natural industry and opening doors in the conventional channel

16-Mar-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Emerging trends that have helped fuel the natural and organic industry’s “multi-decade tear” with growth that far outpaces that of the conventional channel are now crossing over to the mainstream with increasing speed thanks in part to an influx of funds...

AtlantaFresh closes its doors after Whole Foods terminates 7-year contract, 14 months in: 'In hindsight, we were naive.."

08-Mar-2018 By Elaine Watson

Georgia-based grass-fed dairy brand AtlantaFresh has closed its doors after nine years in business following the abrupt termination of a contract with Whole Foods that accounted for the vast majority of its revenues.

Research showing organic techniques restore soil carbon could expand the seal’s appeal

06-Mar-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

New research showing organic farming more effectively restores soil carbon and reduces the cause of climate change compared to conventional techniques could sway more shoppers to buy organic – especially as conscious consumerism continues to rise.

ICVN 2018: Vegan and vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of lifestyle related diseases

05-Mar-2018 By Elaine Watson

Analysis of multiple cohorts of consumers around the world featuring large subsets of people on vegan and vegetarian diets – including the Adventist Health Study 2 in the US, the EPIC Oxford study in the UK and the Tzu Chi Health Study 1 and vegetarian...

Brazil holds significant export potential for US companies, but some barriers must be addressed first

05-Mar-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Brazil’s fast growth in the past 20 years makes it an ideal target for exporting US crops and products, and with values that closely align to those of the US it also is an ideal strategic partner to help open new markets in third countries, according...

The little black dress of the dairy world: Good Culture bringing new users and driving higher buy rates for cottage cheese

02-Mar-2018 By Stephen Daniells

With year-on-year sales up 300% and the brand taking top sales spot in the mass channel, cottage cheese trailblazer Good Culture is continuing to bring new users into the category.

Is saturated fat really 'back?' In short, no, argue experts at ICVN 2018

01-Mar-2018 By Elaine Watson

“So the ketogenic diet, sure, it will cause you to lose weight in the short term. So would cholera, or a cocaine binge, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea,” observed Dr David Katz at the 7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition (ICVN) this...

Muuna continues to disrupt the cottage category with new flavors

01-Mar-2018 By Stephen Daniells

After launching in August 2016 in the northeast with six single-serve products, Muuna has added new flavors and is taking its protein-packed cottage cheese southerly and westerly.

Perfect Day raises $24.7m in Series A round to commercialize animal-free dairy ingredients

27-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

Cellular agriculture start-up Perfect Day – which is creating ‘vegan’ dairy proteins without cows – has raised $24.7m in a Series A funding round led by Singapore state-owned investment company Temasek.

USDA is pursuing trade agreements of all sizes as NAFTA negotiations continue

27-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

While NAFTA’s status remains in limbo, the US Department of Agriculture is “leaving no stone unturned” in its efforts to strike trade agreements with countries outside of North America that will benefit US farmers, ranchers and manufacturers of finished...

General Mills optimistic on yogurt business as it eyes more markets

22-Feb-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

General Mills has been working to turn around its yogurt business and is starting to see slow signs of improvement but "there is more work to do," CEO Jeff Harmening said during the CAGNY (Consumer Analyst Group) conference in New York City.

With new products, Califia Farms aims to do for drinkable yogurt what it did for almond milk

21-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With today’s launch of a new line of dairy-free, probiotic yogurt drinks, Califia Farms hopes to repeat the success it had when it entered the nut-milk category, and at the same time increase the transparency of marketing probiotics.

Retailers, brands must rethink refrigeration & freezing to meet consumer demand for fresh

20-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Increasing consumer demand for fresh products, including new chilled alternatives to shelf-stable staples such as nutrition bars and baby food, is creating a logistical nightmare for some retailers and manufactures in need of more flexible refrigeration...

Study suggests milk with A2 β-casein causes less gastrointestinal discomfort

20-Feb-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumption of milk containing only A2 β-casein may reduce acute gastrointestinal symptoms compared to conventional milk (containing A1 and A2 β-casein protein types) among those with self-reported lactose intolerance, according to a new study.

Where are the growth opportunities in the beverage aisle? Last chance to register for our FREE trendwatching event

20-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

What's the difference between a great brand, and beautiful packaging design? Will PepsiCo's Drinkfinity concept be a hit in the US? And could sprinkling 'fairy dust' amounts of on-trend functional ingredients in your beverage - and...

Nosh aims to teach children life skills as well as fill their stomachs

19-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

As a relative newcomer to the baby food category, Nosh wants to do more than just feed babies' and toddlers' stomachs, it wants to feed their minds with products that teach foundational skills and knowledge.

Novozymes notches up 9% organic sales growth in food and beverage segment in 2017

09-Feb-2018 By Elaine Watson

While most consumers remain blissfully ignorant of their role in food production, enzymes – nature’s microscopic biological catalysts - are helping firms improve product quality, clean up labels, reduce costs and lower their environmental impact, helping...

Grass Fed Coffee taps into rising interest in the keto diet to market ready-to-drink butter coffee

07-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Grass Fed Coffee, a ready-to-drink version of butter coffee, is finally ready to hit select store shelves at the end of the month – nearly two years and several “hiccups” after the brand successfully raised more than $86,000 on Kickstarter to perfect...

Launching first via ecommerce & relying heavily on social media helped Real Good Food expand fast

06-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

With consumption of animal protein projected by USDA to reach record levels in 2018, and consumer demand for high-fat, low carb options on the rise, The Real Good Food Company is liberating meat from its traditional place on top of pizzas or inside enchiladas...

No scientifically valid test to detect food intolerance – HPRA

05-Feb-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

There is no scientifically valid test to detect food intolerance, according to an Irish authority that regulates medical devices.

Guiding Stars’ updated algorithm considers new Nutrition Facts panel, artificial colors & omega-3s

01-Feb-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

More than 1,600 foods and beverages evaluated by the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program will lose stars and roughly 1,400 items will gain stars as of Feb. 1 when the program updates how it assesses the nutritional quality of products to better reflect...

VIDEO: WINTER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2018

Arctic Zero CEO: People aren’t really eating ice cream to get their protein

27-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

The success of high-protein, low cal brands Halo Top and Enlightened notwithstanding, most Americans don't head to the ice cream aisle for a protein fix, argues the CEO of Arctic Zero, who says his new light ice cream can compete with these brands...

5 strategies that set ‘genius’ digital marketers apart from the pack

24-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Inspiring consumers through beautiful Pinterest posts, delicious recipes, heart-warming blog posts and viral videos can help build brand awareness, but the most effective digital marketers also make each experience easily shoppable, according to new research...

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2018?

Soylent CEO Bryan Crowley joins lineup at FoodNavigator-USA, BeverageDaily online beverage innovation event

23-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

One of the most exciting players in the fast-growing meal replacement space, Soylent built its business – and a highly engaged community – online, first on its own website, and later on Amazon, but has recently ventured into the bricks and mortar space...

Food and Ag coalition voices support for NAFTA preservation and modernization

22-Jan-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A new coalition of over 30 organizations representing growers, refiners, producers, transporters, retailers and consumers has announced it will work with the Trump Administration and Congress to preserve and modernize NAFTA, noting that withdrawal from...

Congressmen take USDA to task for delaying organic industry animal welfare rule

22-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

Members of Congress chastise the US Department of Agriculture in a Jan. 17 letter for threatening to withdraw a widely popular final rule passed in the 11th hour of the Obama Administration that would heighten animal welfare standards for organic producers.

Arctic Zero debuts light ice cream with milk and cream at the Winter Fancy Food Show

21-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Arctic Zero is seeking to address an unmet need in the frozen dessert aisle with the launch of what it claims is the first light ice cream (made with cream and milk, but containing only 280-360 calories a pint) that doesn’t contain sugar alcohols or high...

Quark: High in protein, low in sugar, less tart than Greek yogurt

How do you talk about quark? Misha rebrands as Wünder Creamery to promote ‘nutrient-rich superdairy’

19-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

On paper, quark ticks every box. A spoonable cultured dairy product popular in Europe and Central Asia, it’s high in protein, low in sugar, and creamier and milder than Greek yogurt. The challenge in the US, says New York based entrepreneur Kamilya Abilova,...

Organic stakeholders take their case for heightened animal welfare standards to shoppers in ad

17-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

“Deeply disappointed” by the US Department of Agriculture’s recent decision to eliminate the new organic standard on animal welfare, stakeholders are taking their case to the mainstream public in an effort to pressure the agency to change its position....

a2 Milk Company expands to the US Northeast

17-Jan-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

New Zealand’s a2 Milk Company is expanding its US business to the Northeast region, a market that accounts for roughly 20% of total US milk volume, a category that is beginning to see some growth in sales after years of declines.

FDA to ‘modernize certain standards of identity’ as part of strategic policy roadmap

13-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has signaled its intent to “modernize certain standards of identity” in its 2018 strategic roadmap, suggesting that it might, after all, weigh into the plant-based ‘milk’ and ‘cheese’ debate in 2018, although it has not clarified which standards...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: When and where to place marketing bets on fast-moving diet trends in 2018

12-Jan-2018 By Elizabeth Crawford

A high fat diet may not sound like a logical way to shed extra pounds, but consumers are flocking to the controversial ketogenics diet as a way to manage their weight and in doing so are creating a new market ripe for innovation but not necessarily longevity,...

Oikos Triple Zero sales up 22% in 2017, says Dannon as it unveils 2018 ‘Fuel your hustle’ campaign, tests new International Delight yogurts

08-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Sales of high protein, low sugar Greek yogurt brand Oikos Triple Zero grew by 22% in the year to December 24, 2017, said brand owner Dannon, which has enlisted Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to front its new ad campaign and started road testing...

Dairy milk hasn’t lost the battle to plant-based alternatives, Mintel says

05-Jan-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

While plant-based non-dairy alternatives are finding their place in more and more home refrigerators, dairy milk has a few distinct advantages that manufacturers can emphasize to retain consumers within the category, according to Mintel.

Lactalis acquires siggi’s Icelandic yogurt company

05-Jan-2018 By Jim Cornall

French dairy giant Lactalis has agreed to acquire siggi's – the US company that makes Icelandic style skyr yogurts.

NMPF ups ante in plant-based dairy labeling debate... but is the FDA listening?

04-Jan-2018 By Elaine Watson

Kite Hill has defended its decision to use the term ‘almond milk yogurt’ on labels after being singled out by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in a New Year salvo aimed at re-igniting the debate over the labeling of plant-based dairy alternatives....

Scientists discover new use for Greek yogurt acid whey

19-Dec-2017 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Researchers from the Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State have developed a way to convert acid whey left over from Greek yogurt production into sustainable biofuel and chemicals.