A quick glance at the supermarket dairy case, convenience store refrigerator or foodservice menu attests to the fact that dairy-based beverages continue to grow in popularity, especially thick, flavored drinks. TIC Gums has developed an innovative, targeted gum system to help thicken such beverages and prevent formulation problems. TIC Pretested® Dairyblend 366-THK powder serves as a stabilizer in ready-to-drink milkshakes, direct-draw milkshakes, flavored milk products, eggnog drinks and various low-carbohydrate dairy-based beverages. The gum system helps control ice crystal formation on direct-draw shakes like those used in quick-service foodservice applications. In addition, it can be used for either UHT or HTST thermal processing and does not mask flavors because of its concentrated formulation. Added with other dry ingredients during the pre-processing stage, the gum system may be used at 0.15% to 0.4% gum level, based on the final viscosity desired.