Though some dairies saw sales fall last year, others reported increases. As they looked at the long-term prospects of the industry, businesses opened their checkbooks to acquire companies and to expand their processing capabilities.
Just as Dairy Foods was wrapping up its research into the 100 largest dairy processors in North America, the French dairy giant Danone announced it was buying Colorado-based WhiteWave Foods, a processor of organic dairy and plant-based beverages.
Ice cream sales continue to show promise as dollar and unit sales both see a boost. Frozen novelty sales also went up, thanks to price increases, because unit sales were almost at a standstill.
Following its launch of 24-ounce containers of grassmilk yogurt earlier this year, Organic Valley, La Farge, Wis., is adding 6-ounce cups of organic grassmilk yogurt to its line this September.
Research centers from all over are developing innovative application projects and new technologies that help us to better understand complex dairy products.
Innovation is a major driving force in the dairy industry. From new product development to improved testing methods, the industry is constantly working to develop technologies that allow us to create uniquely delicious products that exceed consumer expectations.
Congratulations to the management and employees of the Bel Brands USA cheese plant in Brookings, S.D. The facility has been selected as Dairy Foods’ Plant of the Year for 2016.
It was one of 12 food processing facilities nominated for the award. Dairy Foods invited the dairy industry to vote and help select the recipient. During a five-week period ending July 6, more than 3,500 votes were cast.
Speakers at the Membrane Technology Forum (membraneforum.com) in June presented important concepts and ideas in processing, from fundamentals of membrane technology to fouling and cleaning.
The maker of Dannon yogurt acquires the maker of Silk almond milk and Horizon Organic.
July 7, 2016
Danone is buying WhiteWave, a manufacturer of organic foods, plant-based milks and related products for $10.4 billion. The deal doubles the size of Danone’s U.S. business.
What’s for breakfast? Increasingly, it’s not a traditional meal of cereal and milk or bacon and eggs served at home. Instead, grab-and-go nutritional and performance drinks are a popular meal option. That’s a threat to dairy companies, especially those that make milk, cheese and yogurt.
Consumers recognize the benefits of high-protein foods and beverages. Dairy processors can stick with dairy-based proteins or consider plant-based alternatives.
High-protein foods figure prominently on IRI’s list of the most successful food and beverage launches of 2015. Alongside Oscar Mayer deli meat and Cheerios Protein, were Dannon Oikos Triple Zero yogurt, Yoplait Greek 100 Whips and fairlife milk.
Salt’s ability to balance and expose rich flavors makes it the easiest and most inexpensive way to enhance flavor. However, industry changes are encouraging manufacturers to revisit sodium levels in their products.
While Today’s Dietitian listed “Probiotic Push” as one of the hot nutrition trends for 2016, their synergistic partners, prebiotics, have not gained as much traction with either consumers or health professionals.
Keeping bad milk out of a processing plant is just the first step. Labs also test products as they come off the processing line. Environmental tests assess that proper CIP and sanitation procedures have been followed.
August 12, 2016
To make foods and beverages that are safe to consume, dairy processors must handle and test raw milk with the utmost precision. Some tests are required by law, while the results from others yield results that can tell a dairy a great deal about their milk supplier and about their in-house handling practices.
Understanding all the fundamental issues in creating and maintaining hygienic equipment design is important, from facility design requirements to hygienic welding.
What often happens to change the original state of ‘hygienic design’ in a processing system and, therefore, deserves attention when it comes to maintenance?
It’s not surprising many dairy products launch in flexible packaging. It’s one of the fastest growing packaging formats in the United States, according to the Flexible Packaging Association, Annapolis, Md.