Dairy-based ingredients

Growing plant-based milk sales serve as ‘gateway’ for other non-dairy categories

22-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Despite a slight dip in plant-based dairy sales in the last three quarters – mostly due to higher prices – “there is a lot of sustained appetite for plant-based dairy, and we’re very optimistic for future growth opportunities in this category,” Bethany...

Dairy alternatives: “We have to be realistic about the growth outlook,” warns Rabobank analyst

19-May-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The plant-based dairy market may be reaching maturity while the cell-based and precision fermentation dairy segments are just getting started.

Private label products hold their own as retailers leverage brand recognition, shopper loyalty and distribution networks

17-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Private label products have transitioned from price-focused to standalone brands for retailers to cater shifting consumer preferences and trends.

Watch on demand: FNU’s one-hour webinar Plant-Based Dairy – From Oatmilk to Chickpea Ice Cream

17-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Unit sales of plant-based dairy products are sliding even as dollar sales are up in most categories as inflation-related price hikes simultaneously cushion companies’ margins and discourage some consumers from trying new products and paying premium products....

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee needs to be “free of food industry commercial interest," advocates argue

16-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A lack of transparency around 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee members' affiliation with industry trade groups and multinational brands sparked scrutiny by public health advocates after last week's committee meeting.

Joint venture between Cult Foods and Peqish Food Co. focuses on medically tailored food and cellular agriculture

15-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Cult Foods, an investor of cellular agriculture technology and products, and Peqish Food Co., a ready-to-eat culinary medicine food brand, are joining forces to develop and commercialize cellular agriculture food products within the medical foods framework.

Generative AI shows potential to streamline marketing and communications for CPG brands, as long as brands oversee its output

15-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

During “The Promise and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Food and Beverage Operations” webinar, Nick Markman, senior product manager, Evocalize, explained that while the risks of producing misinformation from generative AI are significant, it’s up to brands...

Dairy consumers continue to trade down, as trans-fat-free claims return, Circana reports

12-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

As consumers continue to look for ways to save money amid high inflation, many are still finding opportunities to trade down, especially in the dairy category, John Crawford, VP of client insights of dairy at Circana, shared during an International Dairy...

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee prioritizes eating patterns, nutrient intake for young Americans and caregivers through a health equity lens

12-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) revealed during a wide-ranging meeting May 10 that it will prioritize eating patterns during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence as well as review the dietary reference intakes for macronutrients and energy....

Going lean to survive: Misha’s CEO responds to capital challenges in retail expansion

11-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

As plant-based cheese brand Misha's is preparing to expand into Walmart this month and Ralphs later in the year it is embracing a lean operating model to improve profitability and tackle obstacles facing the non-dairy segment, brand CEO Aaron Bullock...

Brands, retailers ‘need to continuously earn shopper dedication’ amid inflation

10-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Developing sharp and effective messaging through loyalty programs can effectively strengthen consumer engagement and loyalty at a time when 65% of consumers are concerned about inflation, according to 84.51°’s recent Inflation Special Report.

Nestlé’s research institute addresses agricultural sustainability, aligning with its climate mitigation plans of reaching net-zero by 2050

10-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Nestlé officially inaugurated its Lausanne, Switzerland-based research institute, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, to improve agricultural sustainability throughout its supply chain.

HomeBake 425/:30 is Kraft Heinz’s latest foray into frozen entrees, side and veggie meal solutions

09-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Kraft Heinz’s recently launched HomeBake 425/:30 enters the frozen convenience category while playing to rising nostalgia for comfort foods like chicken parmesan, homestyle mac & cheese and cheesy broccoli.

Clover Sonoma taps flavored milk, lactose-free trends in release of new flavors

05-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

California-based dairy producer Clover Sonoma is meeting demand for flavored and lactose-free milks with three new flavors (Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla) of its Clover the Rainbow Milk with a Splash of Flavor product, Meg Sutula, VP of marketing...

Food-tech company Armored Fresh explores how to elevate plant-based dairy’s nutritional profile, environmental sustainability

04-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as plant-based dairy newcomer Armored Fresh prepares to roll out is innovative Almond Milk Cubes and American Slices at select Kroger stores next month and nationwide through its recently unveiled online storefronts, the food-tech company continues...

US dairy businesses bag $20,000 each in food innovation competition

04-May-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) and the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NDFRC) have announced the 10 finalists for the first-ever Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition.

Plant-based CPG brands “return to fundamentals” amid new market dynamics

03-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

With higher interest rates and investors being more cautious on where they put their money, many plant-based food and beverage start-ups are going back to business basics of creating a sustainable business model while continuing to find new ways to innovate...

Discount retailers benefit from consumer shift as grocery prices rise

02-May-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Discount stores need to keep a close eye on pricing strategies to remain competitive and balance affordability with product displays and differentiation, advises one industry insider.

FDA reopens plant-based dairy draft labeling guidance amid consumer confusion complaints

02-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA is reopening the comment period for draft guidance on labeing plant-based milk at the request of several stakeholder groups, but comments already submitted reveal a wide rift between dairy and plant-based players about how best to describe non-dairy...

Are non-dairy milks, creamers the plant-based market’s saving grace?

01-May-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant-based milks and creamers are growing strong as they become a staple to many consumers, providing an example of what's needed to grow other alternative segments, according to experts gathered at Bridge2Food’s Summit Americas last week.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Tillamook defends sustainability goals as anti-ESG movement rises

01-May-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

As a new anti-ESG era emerges, food and beverage businesses that set ambitious goals to reduce their environmental footprint, improve worker livelihoods, diversify leadership or enhance accountability could find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard...

Consumer interest in animal-free dairy builds, but many still have questions about processing, safety

27-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

While most consumers are willing to buy animal-free dairy made with precision-fermentation, a sizeable portion are either unsure or unwilling to try it – revealing a potential stumbling block that if left unaddressed could be just as damning for the nascent...

Introducing FoodNavigator-USA’s free editorial webinar: Plant-Based Dairy – From Oatmilk to Chickpea Ice Cream on May 17 at 11:30 CT

24-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of plant-based dairy, including milk, cheese and yogurt, continue to grow at a rapid clip despite challenging macroeconomic and market conditions, but units in some categories are dipping slightly, according to recently released SPINS data, raising...

Grocery prices may be dropping, but consumers continue to hold back on volume

20-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Food and beverage brands and retailers likely will not see any time soon a rebound in inflation-supressed units and volumes across categories despite the Labor Department reporting a dip in grocery prices in March for the first time in more than two and...

NielsenIQ shares how sustainability claims can drive brand loyalty in dairy, deli, bakery

19-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

As the demand for sustainable products grows, CPG food and beverage brands in the dairy, deli, and bakery space could innovate around sustainability claims to boost brand loyalty, Sherry Frey, VP of total wellness at NielsenIQ, shared during an International...

FDA amends yogurt standard of identity to allow popular ‘fruit-on-the-bottom’ styles

17-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Popular fruit-on-the-bottom and cup-set yogurt styles can remain on the market in the US after FDA late last week amended the yogurt standard to eliminate a controversial titratable acidity requirement at the behest of the International Dairy Foods Association.

Liberation Labs moves closer to easing precision fermentation bottlenecks with $30m in equipment funding

14-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Startup Liberation Labs is one step closer to easing crippling capacity constraints holding back precision fermentation – one of the most promising technologies in the fast-growing alternative protein market – with an infusion of $30m in equipment financing...

Hello Alice’s Business Health Score helps small CPG companies access capital

13-Apr-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The fintech platform, along with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, intends to help small to medium-sized businesses access capital with the launch of the Equitable Access Program and its first product, the Business Health Score.

News In Brief

Grocery prices drop for the first time in 2.5 years, but shoppers remain hesitant

13-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Grocery prices may finally be falling after stubbornly going up for more than two and a half years even as annual inflation across other categories and overall have dropped in recent months, according to the most recent data from the Labor Department....

BabyBel maker Bel Group, biotech Climax Foods partner to refine plant-based cheese with AI

12-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Iconic cheesemaker Bel Group and biotech startup Climax Foods are teaming up to create the next generation of “best in class” plant-based cheese that they say will be indistinguishable from their dairy counterparts with “zero-compromise” on taste, texture...

Artisanal ice cream market nears $100bn mark as consumers are ‘willing to pay a premium for quality and taste’

11-Apr-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

By 2030, the global artisanal ice cream market’s valuation is projected to grow by 50% as consumer demand for clean-label foods is set to intensify.

Egg prices expected to crack record highs throughout 2023

11-Apr-2023 By Gill Hyslop

Globally, eggs have reached record high price levels, driven by an unprecedented outbreak in avian flu, runaway production costs, inflation, COVID and regulatory changes.

Dairy, deli, bakery manufacturers embrace technology to cut supply chain costs

07-Apr-2023 By Ryan Daily

To address rising production costs and supply chain issues, companies should look at their technology stack to improve operations and save money, Jared Frederici, a consultant with The Poirier Group, shared in an International Dairy Deli Bakery Association...

TurtleTree’s animal-free lactoferrin LF+ promises to democratize highly-prized, scarce multifunctional milk protein

07-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Known as pink gold for its iron-rich rosy hue, high price point and supply scarcity, the bioactive milk protein lactoferrin has been mostly limited to infant formula and dietary supplements in small doses – but that could soon change thanks to advances...

Flavored milk processors are coming around on proposed added-sugars limit in US schools

06-Apr-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

A new initiative led by the IDFA suggests that leading milk processors including Danone North America and Dairy Farmers of America are prepared to adhere to a lower added-sugars limit for flavored milk in order to continue to offer their products in US...

Natural Products Expo West

Dip, savory spread sales surge as consumers shake off pandemic era restrictions

05-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Once reserved for special occasions and parties, dips are breaking out as an everyday snack – and in some cases meal – to emerge as a fast-growing category driven by pandemic-fatigue, consumer interest in global flavors and an enviable family-friendly...

What is behind rising food prices and when will they come back down?

31-Mar-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Rapidly rising food prices are expected to slow in 2023 after supply chain challenges, geo-political strife, climate change and agricultural policy changes contributed to record inflation in 2022 and prompted government action, according to federal agencies....

Meet the plant-based cheese that uses kimchi probiotics to bolster taste and nutrition

29-Mar-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Armored Fresh says fermentation is a key step in developing the texture and flavor of its almond-based cheese range, which is expected to enter US nationwide distribution in summer 2023.

Dairy markets kick off 2023 with lower prices, "pinched" margins for farmers

28-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Falling dairy prices are a double-edged sword that benefits consumers and manufacturers, but pinches farmers’ margins and threatens additional challenges later in the year, cautioned Mike McCully, independent dairy consultant for The McCully Group, shared...

Tillamook expands ice cream manufacturing capacity to manage inflation, better meet consumer demand

27-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Dairy producer co-op Tillamook County Creamery Association is expanding its manufacturing beyond its Oregonian borders with a new ice cream plant in Decatur, Ill., set to open in October 2024.

Albertsons adds a “little more attitude” to Open Nature with rebrand

27-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Albertsons is rebranding its free-from Open Nature line, adding "a tasteful edge," as the company looks to provide its customers with value and better-for-you options across its entire Own private label brand, Brandon Brown, senior VP of Own...

‘We consistently see high demand’: FrieslandCampina quadruples lactoferrin production with new factory

23-Mar-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The Dutch dairy co-op has significantly bolstered its production capacity for lactoferrin with the unveiling of a dedicated manufacturing plant in Veghel, the Netherlands.

AnaBio Technologies unlocks shelf-stable probiotic beverage market with heat-resistant, moisture-stabilizing micro-encapsulation technology

22-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

A patented micro-encapsulation technology from AnaBio Technologies promises to protect and stabilize probiotic bacteria from short bursts of high temperatures and moisture up to 12 months – unlocking an unmet demand in the fast-growing shelf-stable functional...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Precision Fermentation Alliance launches to promote food-tech, drive acceptance, inspire innovation

20-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Precision fermentation is emerging as one of the buzziest technologies in food, and even though it has been used safely for decades without raising eyebrows, new uses and broader awareness are prompting consumer questions that if left unanswered could...

ProVeg: Transition to alternative protein production trumps DAIRY PRIDE Act aims

20-Mar-2023 By Lauren Nardella

Legislators should focus on assisting dairy farmers shift toward production of alternative proteins, instead of commending the DAIRY PRIDE Act, food awareness organization ProVeg International suggests.

Tostitos triples up on cheese in expansion of its chip line

15-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With the launch of its latest Tostitos flavor — Mexican Style Three Cheese — PepsiCo is advancing its proposition to elevate its chips beyond a side to the center of the plate.

NotCo reveals expanded plant-based, AI-created products at Expo West

13-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Food-tech company NotCo unveiled at Natural Products Expo West a range of new products created with its AI-based technology that will launch this year, following the debut of its NotCo Burger at last year’s event.

Natural Products Expo West

Inflation slows, doesn’t stop natural & organic sales growth

13-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Rising inflation is taking a toll on natural and organic sales in the US, the growth of which slowed dramatically in 2022 and will likely continue to drop in the coming year before rebounding slightly in 2024, according to data presented at Natural Products...

Danone’s Pepticate hypoallergenic infant formula finally makes US debut

13-Mar-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The product, made by Danone’s specialized nutrition arm Nutricia, was meant to be available from September 2022 according to initial plans.

Softening consumer views of food-tech open door for precision fermentation, new food production methods

10-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The long-held and loudly voiced disapproval by some of science and technology in food production in favor of “idealized nostalgic narratives” of natural food is beginning to soften – opening the door for broader adoption of food-tech, including precision...