Dairy-based ingredients

Policymakers call on Coca-Cola, General Mills, PepsiCo to address pricing practices

07-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Letters sent by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.) to the CEOs of Coca-Cola, General Mills and PepsiCo express concern over pricing and tax practices that, according to the policy makers, “squeeze profits out...

USDA grants $11.04m for dairy producers, businesses to ‘spur innovation’ across the country

07-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

USDA funding allocated for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives is supporting small and mid-sized dairy businesses and providing a pathway for market expansion and diversification, as the industry adopts innovative technologies around milk production

How food and drink is finally putting women's health before men

07-Oct-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Women’s health continues to grow as a hot food and drink topic, with brands exploiting the increasing NPD opportunities available

Future Food-Tech 2024

Three hot start-ups designing and creating sector-challenging proteins

04-Oct-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

There are myriad ways to design and create proteins. We spoke to some of the key players in this varied space.

Unsaturated vs saturated fats, Dietary Guidelines on dairy, meat & plant-based oils

02-Oct-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) determined the relationships between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the roles of dairy, red meat and plant-based oils with findings from last week’s meeting indicating benefits of reducing...

Consumers shop digital channels more amid grocery price concerns, Ibotta reports

24-Sep-2024 By Ryan Daily

Despite more optimism in the economy, consumers remain vigilant on grocery spending, scrutinizing the price of discretionary foods more and leveraging digital channels for discounts, according to marketing platform company Ibotta’s latest report on consumer...

Are pop-ups worth it? For food and beverage brands, they just might be

17-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Tracking the return on investment (ROI) of pop-ups involves juggling multiple metrics, but food and beverages brands have a distinct advantage in leveraging sensory experiences to build lasting loyalty among consumers both in-person and digitally, experts...

NPD Trend Tracker: From spooky treats to Christmas sweets

16-Sep-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Discover the latest product innovations in the world of food and beverages.

How climate change is impacting food commodities

13-Sep-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

How is the food and beverage industry responding to the need to make its supply chains more sustainable? Find out at Climate Smart Food 2024.

Lactalis and Sodiaal to acquire General Mills’ $2.1bn North American yogurt business

12-Sep-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

In a hotly-anticipated ‘elephant deal’, Häagen-Dazs owner General Mills has agreed to sell its US and Canada yogurt businesses, including brands Yoplait and Liberté.

SPATE: Google, TikTok uncover emerging snack trends and sensory innovations

09-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

From spicy dill pickle chips to freeze-dried Skittles, today’s top snack trends reflect a growing demand for sensory overload coupled with nostalgic comforts, according to SPATE’s trend tracker with data from Google Search ending July 31 and hashtags...

‘Tons of opportunity’ for plant-based milk in schools, Silk SVP says

09-Sep-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Kallie Goodwin, senior vice-president of Silk, tells us why Danone North America wants to increase access to plant-based milk alternatives in US schools.

Unilever scrambles to reinforce its ice cream business ahead of separation by 2025

06-Sep-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite a disappointing start to seasonal ice cream sales in Europe and China, Unilever expects the business to improve sequentially each quarter as it strategically improves “essentially … every metric” of the business ahead of a planned separation by...

USDA survey underscores critical role of federal program in reducing US food insecurity

06-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Despite a majority (86.5%) of US households reporting they felt food secure for the entirety of 2023, government food assistance programs are critical to ensure the remaining 13.5% (18 million) households have access to healthy foods, according to a USDA...

AI helps companies navigate critical regulatory alerts, policy shifts ahead of 2024 election

04-Sep-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Companies must navigate a more fragmented and complex regulatory environment, increasing the need for proactive compliance planning and advanced monitoring tools, like AI, according to Caroline Shleifer, CEO and founder of RegASK.

From pumpkin spice to caramel apple: Unwrapping 2024’s fall LTO lineup of foods, beverages

03-Sep-2024 By Ryan Daily

With summer winding down, falls flavors — including the infamous pumpkin spice — are returning to store shelves and CPG products in coffees, cookies, yogurts and more as consumers seek new seasonal taste experiences.

Business giants pile on pressure to cut antibiotics in global food chain

03-Sep-2024 By Nicholas Robinson

Food and drink suppliers will face increased scrutiny as 80 of the world’s biggest investors today join forces to pressure global leaders into tackling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis or risk a worldwide financial meltdown.

The rise of 'Summerween' expects to boost confectionery sales

29-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Core holidays like Halloween are being planned for earlier by consumers who are simultaneously looking for value in their holiday preparations and a desire for extended celebrations, which gives brands an opportunity to offer more assortments, formats...

From high-protein dairy to coffee with collagen: Who’s made it into the 2024 Real California Milk Excelerator final?

23-Aug-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

We look at the food and beverage start-ups that will go head-to-head in the 6th edition of the competition . . .

Whipnotic reveals holiday LTOs, seeks to expand use of patented nozzle technology

22-Aug-2024 By Ryan Daily

Whipnotic is releasing two new holiday flavors of its whipped cream, as the company hits business milestones ahead of schedule with the help of its patented nozzle technology, the two co-founders shared with FoodNavigator-USA.

Ummino self-affirms GRAS status for enzyme producing bio-derived lactosamine, focuses on rebalancing adult microbiome

22-Aug-2024 By Ryan Daily

Biosciences company Ummino achieved self-affirmed GRAS status for the enzyme to produce its bioidentical prebiotic bioactive lactosamine composition, Hummino, as it readies for commercial expansion of this fiber normally found in human breast milk, focusing...

Dairy, deli, bakery categories see strong unit, dollar growth in July, as recalls slow sliced meats

21-Aug-2024 By Ryan Daily

Dairy, deli and bakery categories were “not just driving dollar sales, [but] are also seeing strong unit volume growth,” amid summer holidays and entertainment occasions, as sliced meat recalls and avian flu could derail gains in the months to come, Joanna...

Harris aims to ban food price gouging, while industry points to supply chain pressures

19-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris proposes a federal ban on price gouging to lower grocery prices as part of her economic platform for her presidential campaign, however food industry advocates maintain that food prices have remained...

Do film tie-ins boost sales?

16-Aug-2024 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Many film studios use tie-ins with food and beverage brands to market their motion pictures. But does this drive sales for the food and beverage products themselves?

Flavors, authenticity, consumer connection to drive food & beverage

15-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

From indulgent treats to non-alcoholic alternatives, consumers are craving brands that provide nostalgic flavors, better-for-you benefits and authentic brand connections - trends that are set to grow into 2025, according to several reports.

Snack attack: Is Mars’ $35.9bn bet on Kellanova the key to dominating the healthier snacks market?

15-Aug-2024 By Gill Hyslop

The mega payout by Mars, Inc. for Kellanova is driven by the candy giant’s desire to expand its footprint in the fast-growing market for healthier snacks, which is underpinned by consumer preference that is shifting away from traditional packaged foods...

US expects strong corn, soybean yield with ‘positive’ milk over feed margins

15-Aug-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Milk over feed margins are ‘in the best spot they’ve been in years’ according to Ever.Ag analysts, while US corn and soybean production is set to grow.

New Product Development

What’s hot in confectionery? New Product Development from Mondelēz and Bazooka Candy

14-Aug-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

From Cadbury’s ‘fast start’ on Christmas to a pop-up return of the Caramac, meet the latest confectionery launches disrupting the industry

Price-conscious snackers seek value, global flavors in-store

13-Aug-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Price-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking healthier yet affordable snack options and shopping for new global flavors in-store, creating a significant opportunity for brands and retailers to develop more engaging and diverse offerings, according...

Are US dairy brands making the most of the lactose-free trend?

13-Aug-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Americans are hungry for lactose-free dairy, but are brands doing enough to tap into this growing market?

Yogurt with honey enhances probiotic abundance, survival, in first 'in vivo' study

12-Aug-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Yogurt with honey is a common food pairing, but there are benefits to this food combo beyond taste and familiarity, a new study has found.

Premium snacking NPD: Elevating cravings with gourmet, better-for-you snacks

12-Aug-2024 By Gill Hyslop

Ramping up the premium snacking experience involves curating high-quality, gourmet ingredients and emphasizing sophisticated, unique flavors that cater to discerning palates. This approach not only enhances the sensory pleasure of snacking but also elevates...

From boba ice cream to pumpkin spice yogurt: What’s new in dairy?

08-Aug-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

We round up some of the latest releases to hit the shelves in the US . . .

Summer Fancy Food Show

Protein takes centerstage across categories to meet insatiable demand: From frozen dessert to chips

07-Aug-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though most Americans consume enough protein, they continue to want more and companies at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City are delivering with increasing innovation and sophistication across categories and occasions, including snacks,...

IFT FIRST 2024

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Cargill shares 4 trends shaping consumer food purchases

05-Aug-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Between ongoing inflation, rising fears about climate change’s impact on the food system, and increasing physical and mental health concerns turbo-charged by the pandemic, consumers have been through a lot in recent years, and in response, new data from...

IFT FIRST 2024

Butter Buds expands beyond butter, focuses on dairy concentrates

29-Jul-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Butter Buds, a supplier of dairy concentrates and flavor solutions, is rebranding itself to reflect its expanded product line and focus on meeting the evolving needs of the dairy and non-dairy markets, Mike Ivey, national sales director at Butter Buds...

‘Celebrate competition’: Oatly optimistic about plant-based milk category growth, strides forward in global expansion

25-Jul-2024 By Hui Ling Dang

Oat drink major Oatly expects continuing demand for plant-based milks as its current generation of consumers mature, and believes that more players entering the market will help boost category growth.

How US dairy states hold the keys to the White House

23-Jul-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The 2024 US presidential election is set to be a close contest – and key dairy-producing states may be the difference between winning or losing.

Summer Fancy Food Show

Acme enters into convenient protein category with new offerings, packaging

17-Jul-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Smoked fish producer Acme adds tuna and snack kits to its portfolio – expanding beyond its presence as a “specialist on salmon,” Teresa Low, CMO, Acme, told FoodNavigator-USA during the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City last month

Arla Foods' FDA-approved hydrolysates simplify allergy, gut comfort integration in infant formulas

15-Jul-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Arla Foods Ingredients, a supplier of milk and whey-derived ingredients, receives FDA approval for its whey protein hydrolysates, simplifying integration into infant formulas for allergy management and gut comfort without impacting cost for consumers,...

Egg advances: Mondelez on why Vietnam provided great opportunity for cage-free egg adoption

10-Jul-2024 By Pearly Neo

Mondelez has highlighted several of the key factors that needed to be in place for its adoption of cage-free eggs in its leading cake brand in Vietnam.

Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins Summit

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Danone’s innovation strategy focuses on ‘big bets’ of protein, enhanced plant-based & the biome

08-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

In an era where money is tight for consumers and companies alike, and leeway for new products to fall short of expectations is even tighter, many CPG companies are rethinking their innovation investment strategy to make fewer but bigger bets – a strategy...

Summer Fancy Food Show

Soup-to-Nuts Podcast: Bold flavors, complementary pairings and easy customization emerge as top trends at the Summer Fancy Food Show

01-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

At the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City last week, health claims were downplayed and flavor came first – for real – followed by personalization with more brands offering consumers ways to dial up or down the heat, tang, funk and other characteristics...

Future Food Tech Alternative Proteins

Hydrosome Labs’ ultra-fine bubbles boost precision fermentation production, open doors for beverages to better deliver functional ingredients, nutrition

01-Jul-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Innovative startup Hydrosome Labs is leveraging ultra-fine bubbles to overcome significant roadblocks to the development of alternative proteins via precision fermentation, including capacity constraints, by dramatically increasing yield from the same...

Weight loss drugs may be melting US ice cream demand

01-Jul-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Demand for frozen dairy products in the US has been declining for decades. Consumers' growing interest in GLP-1 weight loss products is putting further pressure on demand.

Balchem expands plant-based dairy capabilities with cold-water soluble oat creamer

27-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Ingredient provider Balchem revealed VitalBlend Oat 2540, a cold-water-soluble creamer, designed to capitalize on demands for plant-based milks, Josephine Nakhla, the company’s powders and cereals strategic marketing and business development director,...

Beyond sugar, salt, fat: Rethinking ultra-processed foods and reform

27-Jun-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee is considering how the industry should approach ultra processed foods (UPFs) – including nomenclature and infrastructure.

[Video] PFx Biotech co-founder on using precision fermentation to bolster infant formula supply chain

27-Jun-2024 By Ryan Daily

Portuguese-based food-tech startup PFx Biotech is harnessing precision-fermentation to create human milk proteins for infant formulas and other applications, company Co-founder Harry Barraza shared during the Future Food-Tech Alternative Proteins event...

Which label claims and product traits drive dairy purchasing?

20-Jun-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

From organic to pasture-grazed, a new study examined the product attributes that resonate most with dairy and meat consumers.

Unilever moves forward with ice cream spinoff, invests in fewer, better innovations to drive growth

14-Jun-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The spin off of Unilever’s ice cream business, which includes iconic brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Wall’s and Magnum, is “underway” and on track to be completed by the end of 2025 as part of a broader cost-savings and productivity enhancement program,...