Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Global dairy price rises back on the horizon: Rabobank

01-Dec-2008 - Despite an expected recovery in the price of dairy ingredients, significant price swings are still expected, according to a new report from Rabobank.

Organic 'shock' failing to dent liquid milk sales - producer

28-Nov-2008 - The UK organic dairy market remains optimistic this week following the 'shock' announcement from a leading processor that it was cutting payments to farmers, according to another supplier in the segment.

UK faces secure milk calls amidst Euro cost worries

28-Nov-2008 - Trade association Dairy UK claims that the government must provide security to the country's dairy farmers to ensure industry can meet consumers' cost and nutrition requirements.

Australian dairy eyes functional focus funding

26-Nov-2008 - The Australian dairy industry continues to target product innovation with a new grant specifically designed to encourage innovative new ways of thermal and non-thermal processing and producing fermented foods and cultures.

Industry response to additive, enzyme regulation adoption

26-Nov-2008 - Additive and enzyme associations have welcomed the adoption of the new FIAP package on additives, flavourings and enzymes – but concern remains about the Southampton colours warning.

News in brief

First Milk launches resealable packaging

25-Nov-2008 - UK dairy farmer co-operative First Milk has developed a resealable zip packaging for two of its brands.

Weekly comment

Conjuring with calories: Regulation and labeling changes

24-Nov-2008 - There was something magical about the recent news that the caloric value of both gum arabic and erythritol have been officially lowered, but whether it turns out to be a sleight of hand or a real change remains to be seen.

Milk quota reforms distort trade, says UK dairy industry

21-Nov-2008 - EU agriculture ministers yesterday agreed on further measures designed to progressively liberalise the bloc’s dairy sector, but industry associations have said these will simply lead to more market distortion.

Arla introduces new generation of whey permeate

20-Nov-2008 - Arla is raising the bar on whey permeate functionality with a new range said to have flavour profile and low hygroscopy, attributes that will make it easier to use in a range of applications.

Protient opens dairy ingredient technology center

19-Nov-2008 - US dairy ingredients firm Protient has opened a new research and applications center in Minnesota, which it says will provide key application support to customers.

Chr Hansen aims for bulk efficiency in Euro cheese

18-Nov-2008 - Chr Hansen is set to extend a US culture system across Europe to balance demand for bulk production of more complex continental cheeses, which it says can ensure both product consistency and cost efficiency.

News in brief

Milk flavour falls in popularity

17-Nov-2008 - The popularity of milk as a flavour has dropped in the rankings of favourite flavours for baby beverages, according to new findings by Product Launch Analytics.

China melamine scare may play into big dairy brands' hands

13-Nov-2008 - The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven major shifts in the country’s dairy industry, not all of them to the detriment of manufacturers, says a new report.

Certificate system enables more support for sustainable palm oil

13-Nov-2008 - The first shipment of sustainable palm oil is set to arrive in Europe next week; but even if manufacturers do not use the oil directly they can still buy into the movement with certificates that allow them to state their support, explained the RSPO president.

The wrong time for another healthy eating campaign?

12-Nov-2008 - The UK’s DoH should have waited to launch its new anti-obesity initiative until the economic situation has improved, as many small food businesses are already busy enough coping with the recession, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Innovation strategy for next generation products

10-Nov-2008 - Food and beverage companies need to institutionalize innovation with a dedicated budget and executives in place to drive growth, according to a new report.

Milk facing soybean innovation battle

07-Nov-2008 - The dairy industry will have to step up to the challenge of matching ongoing developments in soybeans as a replacement for a number of milk-based products and ingredients, according to one New Zealand dairy supplier.

Yoghurt drink makers wary of soft drink challenge

06-Nov-2008 - As drink manufacturers strive to provide innovative functional products to increasingly health focused consumers, dairy goods such as yoghurt may be an emerging route able to help bridge demand.

Arla thinking functional in global reshuffle

05-Nov-2008 - Arla Foods says that innovation towards healthier products and ingredients combined with a major pushes for its whey protein operations will dominate the future direction of its European and global expansion strategies.

Pepsi stays dairy-free despite yoghurt drink launch

04-Nov-2008 - Pepsi says that the Asian launch of a yoghurt-flavoured soft drink does not reflect a wider-company focus on harnessing the potential nutrition benefits of dairy beverages, despite a growing number of product launches across Europe.

Meat and dairy miss out on low fat message

04-Nov-2008 - Dairy, pork and beef products have lost their appeal among a group of consumers who may have decreased consumption of these foods because they are associated with high-fat content, according to a survey.

Price volatility setting back lactose and whey value - report

03-Nov-2008 - While the availability of whey and lactose products continue to climb during 2008, price volatility has managed to hamper hikes in profitability of the segment as manufacturers hunt for cheaper ingredients, says a new report.

Protestor wrath halts dairy land conversion

31-Oct-2008 - Some New Zealand-based environmental groups are getting confrontational amidst claims that the country’s dairy industry remains ‘generally very unwilling’ to take action over its potential impacts on climate change.

Commission may face market regulation U-turn - USDA

31-Oct-2008 - As dairy processors and farmer continue to fret over declining profitability in their operations, the European Commission may be forced to reconsider its position on loosening regulation of the market, says a new report.