Ingredients

US dairy groups pressure Senate to act on labor reform

By Beth Newhart

After the House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) late last year, dairy organizations are reminding the Senate why they feel it’s crucial to the future of agriculture labor. Young farmers are also speaking out for essential...

A plant-based toddler formula and a cultured, lab-grown breastmilk are trending in US infant nutrition this week, Pic: Getty/kuppa_rock

Alternatives to traditional infant nutrition hit US market

By Beth Newhart

Market trends and unique consumer needs in infant nutrition have producers thinking outside the realms of tradition. New launches from Else Nutrition and Biomilq have recently hit the US, forming new categories.

Hälsa called oats one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milk, but the US does not currently produce oats that meet Hälsa's quality standards. Pic: Hälsa

Hälsa Foods to convert dairy farms for organic oats

By Beth Newhart

A new program from oat-based yogurt alternative brand Hälsa Foods will partner with dairy farms, and support them converting to farmlands for growing organic oats. It will be led by a team of Scandinavian farmers, researchers and environmental experts.

“We have to disrupt our industry from within, or we’ll be disrupted from without.

DBA appeals to farmers of the future for industry disruption

By Beth Newhart

Some top priorities for US dairy farmers in 2020 are future planning, risk management and secure milk supplies. All were examined at the Dairy Business Association’s (DBA) Dairy Strong conference in Wisconsin in January.

Ice cream has an application with adults, and the occasion of eating ice cream before bed aligns with CBD’s relaxation properties. Pic: Getty/belchonock

Does CBD have a place in dairy?

By Beth Newhart

The use of non-psychoactive CBD as a food, beverage or supplement ingredient is still illegal in the US. But that hasn’t stopped the market from exploding, with dairy already playing catch-up.

“Allowing non-dairy products to use dairy terms to promote goods with wildly different nutritional values has undermined public health.

US dairy groups press Congress on Dairy Pride Act

By Beth Newhart

Three years after its first introduction to the Senate, the divisive Dairy Pride Act is still on the minds of US dairy. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) made a case for stricter labeling guidelines while the FDA is stalled.

“We aren’t going to stop change, and we aren’t going to stop technology.

IDFA zeroes in on next-gen, and ‘making what we can sell’

By Beth Newhart

At the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum this week, president and CEO Michael Dykes spoke of the challenges facing US dairy, including product innovation, milk bankruptcies and setting the industry up for a sustainable future.

“Today we are finally ending the NAFTA nightmare.

USMCA signed into law by Trump

By Beth Newhart

The US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the House in late 2019 and the Senate earlier this month. It replaces the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Milk is highly digestible and efficient in its nutritional transfer, giving it an edge over plants structured to produce carbohydrates. Pic: Getty/shark_749

‘Milk protein is king’ but needs an RDA overhaul

By Beth Newhart

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein is 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight. But Rob Wildman of the International Protein Board (IPB) believes the system needs changing, specific to different dietary functions.

What’s new from the Winter Fancy Food Show?

What’s new from the Winter Fancy Food Show?

By Beth Newhart

The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show (WFFS) commenced in San Francisco last week. Dairy and non-dairy alternative products from the specialty sector exhibited for the first time in 2020.

The study findings align with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015–2020). Pic: Getty/DenizA

Drinking 2% milk ages adults faster than 1% milk

By Beth Newhart

Adults who drink 1% or nonfat milk were found to age less biologically than adults who drink 2% or whole milk. The new study from Brigham Young University (BYU) analyzed milk fat intake and telomere length.

Positive dairy reaction as USMCA passes Senate

By Beth Newhart

After months of uncertainty, the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has officially passed the US House and Senate. President Donald Trump said he will sign it into law next week.

The US coffee creamer category is expected to grow to $7.5bn by 2024.

Fairlife debuts dairy creamers line

By Beth Newhart

On the heels of a disastrous 2019 for the ultra-filtered milk brand, fairlife is kicking off 2020 with a new category launch. Four coffee creamers will add to its beverage portfolio.

“With an election year, sometimes legislative activity grinds to a halt.

NMPF outlines the legislative dairy landscape in 2020

By Beth Newhart

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) projects that the USMCA bill will pass the Senate soon, followed by a greater focus on agriculture labor, transportation and infrastructure and childhood nutrition this year.

“DHA Omega-3 helps support brain health for people of all ages and represents a simple way that consumers can make a healthy choice.

‘Veganuary’ drives plant-based dairy-alternative launches

By Beth Newhart

Eating healthier is a common New Year's resolution that brands like to capitalize on every year. New plant-based dairy alternatives are kicking off 2020, trying to tap into the oat, almond and coconut-based craze that’s challenging the dairy industry.

Wisconsin lost nearly 1,500 dairies in two years, despite the industry's significant contribution to the state's economy. Pic: Getty/Dcwcreations

More than 800 Wisconsin dairies closed in 2019

By Beth Newhart

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture revealed that a record 10% of dairy farms in Wisconsin shuttered last year. It topped 2018’s loss of 7.25%.

DFA forms new Ingredient Solutions division

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of America is realigning its portfolio of dairy-based ingredients into a new group, DFA Ingredient Solutions. It says this will provide better support for food manufacturers and operators.

The USMCA will create new market access opportunities for US exports to Canada of dairy, poultry and eggs. Pic: Getty/SW_Photo

USMCA passes the House, Senate to vote in 2020

By Beth Newhart

The US House of Representatives passed the new trade deal between the US, Mexico and Canada (USMCA), with big implications for dairy. The bill will be voted on by the Senate early in the new year.

With the 2020 US election looming, the US dollar is expected to be volatile and affect global dairy. Pic: Getty/sergeyryzhov

Higher dairy prices are on the horizon

By Beth Newhart

As the year's fourth quarter wraps up, Rabobank's RaboResearch looks back on global dairy's performance in 2019, and ahead to 2020. Milk production and prices are up, leading to challenges for producers.

Hälsa Foods sees the future of plant-based as 100% clean label and organic.

Former Stonyfield exec joins non-dairy Hälsa Foods

By Beth Newhart

The co-founder and former CEO of dairy brand Stonyfield Organic, Gary Hirshberg, has joined Hälsa Foods as an investor and chairman. Hälsa produces Scandivaian-style, oat-based milk and yogurt alternatives.

The deal is being reviewed by legal channels, and has not yet been signed by officials in either country. Pic: Getty/Christoph Burgstedt

US reaches new trade deal with China

By Beth Newhart

The US government announced a ‘Phase One’ trade deal on Friday that stipulates China will make substantial purchases of US goods and services in the coming years, including from agriculture.

Nestlé USA is the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the US, and Froneri will now be the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the world.

Froneri scoops Nestlé’s US ice cream division for $4bn

By Beth Newhart

Froneri started as an ice cream-focused joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners in 2016, and the relationship will be furthered by the acquisition of Nestlé USA’s collection of ice cream brands.

General Mills is looking to improve the performance of its US yogurt business and is focused on driving the simply better segment of the yogurt category.

Oui by Yoplait enters non-dairy category

By Beth Newhart

Coconut-based yogurt alternatives are coming in 2020 from French-style yogurt Oui by Yoplait. The US dairy brand was also recognized as one of Nielsen’s 2019 Breakthrough Innovation winners.

How can probiotic labeling improve in dairy?

By Beth Newhart

Regulations are loose on labeling in probiotic dairy products, but could this be changing? Experts say the ‘whole field would benefit’ from more descriptive labels.

Breeding technology practices can lead to increased milk production and environmental benefits.  Pic: Getty/Deb Drury

Fluid milk has room to grow with genomic testing

By Beth Newhart

The future of milk can evolve beyond organic, grass fed and a2 varieties with more widespread breeding technology, changing the way dairy farmers manage their herds, according to a new Rabobank report.