Although 72% of Americans are aware of prebiotics’ association with digestive health, according to the International Food Information Council’s 2011 functional foods survey, most would be hard-pressed to describe prebiotics and their functions. That’s understandable. The story of prebiotics and health is not simple. But as scientists learn more, the story becomes more compelling and worth the telling.

In our February column we discussed the importance of digestive health as the basis of all good nutrition and the role ice cream products could play in terms of providing probiotic (consumption of “live and active beneficial” bacteria) and/or probiotic friendly (that is, prebiotic) mix ingredients. We reviewed delivery of probiotics via active culturing and/or cold inoculation.

Nutritional inadequacies are common among both genders and through all stages of the lifecycle. The majority of Americans simply do not eat a diet that is well-enough balanced to consume a sufficient amount of essential nutrients.

Cost-saving ingredients help processors stay afloat during struggling economic times, while value-added ingredients, which increase production costs, create a point of differentiation in a competitive marketplace.

Donna Berry  Product Development Editor Moms have long warned their kids that if they play in the rain, they might catch a cold. The reality is moms just don’t want

The nutrient profile of milk might be denser than previously believed thanks to ongoing research suggesting that milk’s carbohydrate - lactose - possesses beneficial health and wellness properties.

According to Healthy 50+ Americans: Trends and Opportunities in the Emerging Wellness Market by Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, Rockville, Md., changes in thinking about what it means to get old have occurred alongside a rising concern by consumers of all ages about doing what it takes to improve their health and wellness.

Better-for-you and better-for-the-environment are two themes driving innovation. Dairy processors enhance foods with antioxidants and vitamins.