Functional Dairy

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...

Dairy Dialog podcast 71: Froneri’s RØAR, PreScouter and Danone. Circular economy illustration: Getty Images/DragonTiger

Dairy Dialog podcast 71: Froneri’s RØAR, PreScouter and Danone

By Jim Cornall

On this week’s Dairy Dialog podcast, we have three interviews. We talk to David Boulanger, senior vice president, operations, Danone Specialized Nutrition; Ryan LaRanger, project architect, PreScouter; and Alicia Munday, global marketing manager, Froneri.

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.

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.

“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.

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 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.

“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.

The EWPA has launched the whey information website.

EWPA launches online whey hub

By Jim Cornall

The European Whey Processors Association (EWPA) has launched a new B2C digital communication platform to promote whey protein.

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.

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.

The new cultures from DuPont target the production of indulgent yogurts. Pic: Getty Images/magone

The future of probiotic yogurt

By Jim Cornall

With consumer preference for healthy and functional food continuing to grow, so too is the market for probiotic yogurts. The associated digestive health benefits are accepted by consumers – to the point that they want more. Dairy manufacturers are challenged...

The new production facility allows for the supply and manufacture of grass-fed and A2 milk.

Westland looking for opportunities at new segregation plant

By Jim Cornall

Westland Milk Products says it is working with milk suppliers to encourage more production suitable for its new NZ$22m (US$14.4m) segregation plant at its Hokitika production facility, exploring market opportunities and developing logistics to cater for...

Researchers in Japan say avoiding formula immediately after birth is an easy fix. Pic: Getty Images/Sasiistock

Despite high rates of lactose intolerance, consumers are now eating more dairy

Japanese find breastfeeding at birth can lower milk allergies

By Richard Whitehead

Avoiding cow's milk formula and exclusively breastfeeding in the first three days of life helps reduce later lactose intolerance, according a Japanese clinical trial.