Dairy-based ingredients

Oregon State University commercializes polymer that 'naturally thickens milk'

11-Jun-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

After decades of research, Oregon State University (OSU) has begun commercializing a natural dairy thickener with probiotic potential.

Coolhaus combined the power of multiple retail channels to fuel fast growth

11-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Direct-to-consumer marketing through food trucks and fast casual restaurants can efficiently generate brand awareness and consumer trial of new food and beverage products, but to build brand longevity and business stability, the best retail option is...

Millennials might not be the trendsetters marketers think, CivicScience research shows

11-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Targeting millennials in an effort to reach adventurous, trendsetting consumers who will adopt and evangelize new products early will only get marketers a third of the way to their goal, recent research from CivicScience suggests. 

Dannon Creamery range has not set the world on fire, company admits

11-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Indulgent dessert brand Dannon Creamery – the Dannon's Company’s first new brand in the US since Oikos – has not set the world on fire, the firm has acknowledged.

Noosa on course to generate revenues of $100m in 2015, says co-founder

10-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Just over five years after hitting the US market, honey-infused Aussie-style yogurt Noosa is on course to generate revenues of $100m in 2015 as more consumers embrace whole milk products promising healthy indulgence, says co-founder Koel Thomae.

Three Twins organic ice cream CEO: ‘My cash reserves were down to zero, but I made it, because people believed in the brand’

10-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

There have been some hairy moments during Neal Gottlieb’s decade at the helm of Three Twins organic ice cream, from maxed out credit cards to sleepless nights trying to secure capital at the height of the recession. But his tenacity paid off and his quirky...

Premium price of organic more than compensates for yield loss

08-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

New research showing organic agriculture is significantly more profitable than conventional should reassure farmers who are considering switching to organic but are nervous about financial loss during the three year transition in which they will have...

'We have retained a cult-like following even as we have gone mass market'

Lifeway Foods CEO: ‘We want to be to kefir what Hershey's is to chocolate'

03-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

When Julie Smolyansky became president and CEO of kefir market leader Lifeway Foods in 2002 after the sudden death of her father (its founder), the stock went into freefall as investors feared the 27-year old wasn’t ready to run a public company. They...

Bad news for Clemmy's in 'David vs Goliath' unfair competition lawsuit against Nestlé USA

02-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Ice cream maker Clemmy’s – which hit the headlines in 2013 after filing a lawsuit* accusing Nestlé USA of leveraging its commercial clout and ‘category captain’ status with big retailers to shut rivals out of the market – has not presented sufficient...

More than half Similac Organic ingredients 'not allowed in organic foods': US lawsuit

01-Jun-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Three US consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories, claiming its Similac Advance Organic infant formula contains 26 ingredients not permitted in organic food.

Driving consumer demands for chocolate includes nuts, dried fruit

01-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Chocolate marketers likely will gain more traction if they appeal to consumers emotionally and emphasize the health benefits of inclusions, such as nuts and dried fruit, suggest the results of a recent survey conducted by the Almond Board of California. 

Chobani refreshes Simply 100 Greek yogurt range; appeals to ‘thoughtful weight managers’

01-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Dollar sales of Chobani’s Simply 100 Greek yogurts have grown 25% in the first five months of 2015 vs the same period last year, while unit sales are up 28%, says the firm, which is re-launching the range with ‘blended’ formulations (rather than fruit-on-the-bottom)...

Mars appeals to health-conscious consumer with goodnessknows national launch

29-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The inclusion of dried fruit in Mars Chocolate North America’s goodnessknows snack squares helps deliver the sweetness consumers seek from confections, while also helping the candy-giant deliver on its commitment to offer options with limited added sugar. 

Higher meat prices drag down sales across grocery departments, Nielsen research reveals

26-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Higher beef and pork prices are dragging down grocery sales not just in the meat department, but in the center of the store as well, according to a recent Nielsen survey. 

Experts untangle GMO developments and impact on firms at FoodNavigator-USA’s Going Non-GMO forum May 20

19-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Pressure on food manufacturers to label genetically modified food and provide non-GMO alternatives is mounting as consumer concern and confusion about the technology increases in response to a deluge of negative messaging about it. 

OTA’s submission of organic check-off proposal to USDA brings it one step closer to reality

13-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

It’s official: The Organic Trade Association and the GRO Organic Core Committee submitted to the USDA May 12 a petition to launch an organic check-off campaign that, if approved, could raise more than $30 million annually to promote and support the industry...

No plan to 'migrate away' from regional milk brands: Dean Foods

12-May-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

US dairy giant Dean Foods does not plan to "migrate away" from its regional fresh milk brands despite the launch of its national banner, DairyPure.

Cargill eyes sustainable seaweed for carrageenan range

12-May-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Cargill has introduced a new range of carrageenans for drinks makers in order to improve the sustainability of their sourcing.

WhiteWave Foods raises outlook on strength of strong sales, innovative launches

12-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Premium organic packaged food manufacturer WhiteWave Foods raised its guidance for 2015 following strong first quarter sales driven by innovative line extensions and recent product launches. 

Leading from the heart led Plum Organics to the top

07-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The secret to Plum Organics’ rapid ascent to the top of the organic baby, toddler and children’s food industry is its deeply engrained philosophy to “lead with the heart,” the firm’s CEO Neil Grimmer says. 

Could FAR-M camel milk coagulant be used to produce horse or zebra cheese?

06-May-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Pure camel chymosin holds the potential to clot milk from other equus animals as well as donkeys, says an Italian food technologist.

Forte Gelato repositioned as a decadent dessert in pint-sized packages

05-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The maker of Forte Gelato hopes to expand its consumer base beyond health-conscious shoppers, recovering patients and athletes to reach the mainstream consumer by repackaging its high-protein, low-fat dessert into pints.

Row intensifies over 'Eat less red & processed meat’ message in dietary guidelines report

05-May-2015 By Elaine Watson

The row over the health and sustainability of meat consumption prompted by the recent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) report has intensified this week as stakeholders rushed to submit comments on the report ahead of a May 8 deadline.

organic and non-gmo trends

Sustainability generates substantial cost savings for Stonyfield Farm

27-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Stonyfield Farm’s wide-ranging and forward-looking sustainability initiatives launched in the last decade have helped the firm save more than the environment – they also saved the organic yogurt maker more than $31 million in costs. 

organic and non-gmo trends

GMOs, limited technology, dwindling farmers threaten organic growth, Sen. Tester says

24-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The organic industry must overcome substantial hurdles to sustain its double digit sales growth, including the threat posed by genetically modified organisms, limited technological advancements and a dwindling farming population, said organic farmer and...

organic and non-gmo trends

Rise in organic imports signals opportunity for U.S. farmers, OTA says

22-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sharp increases in imported organic soy beans and corn to the U.S. in 2014 to feed the expanding organic dairy, poultry and livestock sectors is a “‘help wanted’ message for American farmers,” according to Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association. 

organic and non-gmo trends

Organic food sales grow 11% in 2014 with politically, geographically diverse shoppers

20-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Organic is outgrowing its moniker as a specialty category thanks to a double digit increase in sales last year by consumers nationwide of all political leanings and ethnic backgrounds, according to data from the Organic Trade Association. 

3 firms expand into new territory with protein-packed snack launches

16-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Several well-established manufacturers are stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding into new categories or updating iconic brands to meet consumers’ ostensibly insatiable desire for protein-packed snacks. 

Fonterra 'scanning the market' for new European whey sources

03-Apr-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra is "scanning the market" for new whey sourcing partnerships in Europe.

Is baby food creating fussy eaters?

03-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

Fostering children's willingness to try new flavours and foods has clear benefits for the food industry -  yet researchers say baby food manufacturers may be inadvertently creating picky eaters.

Organic & Non-GMO Trends

Who buys organic and where they buy it is evolving

03-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The face of the organic shopper is changing slowly to reflect more accurately the American population thanks in part to increased distribution, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association. 

Fresh food “critical” to driving Walmart sales, market share, new CEO says

03-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Improving the quality, assortment, display and accessibility of fresh food is “critical” to Walmart’s “plan of attack” to grow sales and market share, the firm’s new U.S. CEO told analysts April 1. 

Dannon & Evolution Fresh join forces to launch new Greek yogurt products

02-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Yogurt maker Dannon’s partnership with cold pressed juice giant Evolution Fresh creates a powerhouse that could bring renewed energy to the Greek yogurt category, which has been slowing recently.

Yogurt makers expand when and who eats yogurt with different product platforms

01-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Yogurt manufacturers are rolling out a wide variety of new products to drive consumer interest in and consumption of the dairy product in an attempt to boost sales, which have slowed in recent years after experiencing astronomical growth for several years...

Nut milk ‘melloream’ case a cautionary tale in product identity

27-Mar-2015 By Maggie Hennessy

A New York law initially created for regulating nondairy coffee whiteners resurfaced last year for a Brooklyn-based nut milk manufacturer when it learned it could no longer operate under a regular food-processing permit.

Nestlé files whey world patent: Lactoferrin for infant memory and learning

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for the whey fraction lactoferrin to improve memory, learning speed and promote brain maturation in children.

General Mills revamps product development, marketing to mirror start-ups, small brands

20-Mar-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food giant General Mills is tearing a page from the playbook of the start-ups and small brands with which it competes to change how it develops and markets new products. 

Lights, camera, action! a2 Milk outlines its US game plan at Expo West

16-Mar-2015 By Elaine Watson

Digestive issues after drinking milk are often attributed to milk protein allergy (which can be severe) or intolerance to lactose (milk sugars). But what if both of these have been ruled out and you are still experiencing mild digestive discomfort? 

SERIAL PROTEIN FORTIFICATION RISKS COMMODIFYING CATEGORY, ANALYST WARNS

What happens after protein? Canadean suggests we may need a new 'super ingredient'

11-Mar-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Protein fortification is here to stay, says Canadean - but analyst Kirsty Nolan warns that brands should resist the impulse to simply add it to everything and commoditize the ingredient.

McDonald's to offer growth hormone-wary US consumers rBST-free milk

09-Mar-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

McDonald's USA is to begin sourcing milk for some products from cows not treated with growth hormone, recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST).

Atkins directs new shoppers to struggling frozen pizza category

09-Mar-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Atkins Nutritionals enters the competitive frozen pizza category with the launch of a high-protein, low-carb option that it says will expand the sluggish category by bringing in consumers who do not currently shop the segment. 

‘The milk that might change everything’? a2 milk to hit stores in California in April

26-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

a2 Milk – milk from cows that only produce A2 beta casein protein -  is set for an April launch in California, where brand owner The a2 Milk Company hopes to emulate its success in Australia, in which it has carved out a 9.3% value share of the fluid...

What's for breakfast? Reinventing the first meal of the day

Consumers prefer homemade breakfast to ready-to-eat packaged goods, Datassential found

18-Feb-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

When it comes to breakfast, the vast majority of Americans want something quick and easy at home, but surprisingly most people prefer to make their first meal of the day “from scratch” instead of consuming a ready-to-eat or heat-and-serve consumer packaged...

FDA finds some dark chocolate includes undeclared milk

12-Feb-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

A new study revealing that a significant portion of dark chocolate products sold in the U.S. may contain undeclared milk could shake some consumers’ confidence in the industry in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day – one of the category’s most significant...

‘Fairlife in every fridge in America!’ CEO predicts rebirth of US milk

11-Feb-2015 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Fairlife CEO Steve Jones believes his company’s new premium milk distributed through the Coca-Cola system can contribute to the ‘rebirth of milk’ in America as consumption levels slide.

Yogurt industry must move beyond Greek to continue growing

06-Feb-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

As U.S. sales growth of yogurt slows, marketers need to shift their focus to potential category drivers beyond protein-dense Greek yogurt, such as new consumer segments and packaging innovation, according to market analysis from Packaged Facts. 

What's on the FoodNavigator-USA editorial calendar in 2015/16?

06-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

From the GMO labeling debate and food litigation trends to new strategies to revitalize the Greek yogurt category, FoodNavigator-USA’s 2015/16 editorial calendar of special editions (once a month), online forums/events (once every two months) and face-to-face...

Join us today at the Beverage Innovation Summit

04-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

Are you interested in what's happening in beverages? Well today is your lucky day!

#GetReal! MilkPEP to be 'more aggressive' in online anti-milk fight

02-Feb-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) has launched a social media campaign to combat online anti-milk attacks. 

Door to Door Organics eyes $500m prize as Millennials integrate online grocery shopping into their lifestyles

30-Jan-2015 By Elaine Watson

You can make money out of online grocery shopping if you have a scalable business model, a targeted range of high quality fresh foods, and the tools to help you build meaningful relationships with consumers, says Door to Door Organics, which has proved...