Darigold Inc., the Seattle-based dairy company, has re-entered the Philippines with Darigold-branded consumer products for the first time in 50 years.

Farmer-owned Darigold first began selling in the Philippines in the 1920s before discontinuing the sale of consumer products in the island nation in the 1970s. In partnership with AllDay Supermarkets, Darigold is returning to the market with its FIT Milk ultra-filtered product line, as well as aseptic, ultra-pasteurized fluid milk.

During its hiatus from selling consumer products in the country, Darigold continued to export dairy-based ingredients to commercial customers in some 30 countries worldwide, including the Philippines. Its commercial products include butter, cheese, and powdered milk products, which are used in childhood nutrition applications, protein drinks, baked goods, confectionery products, and a host of other consumer packed goods. Darigold sells commercial ingredients to a variety of global dairy producers, packaged foods companies, and institutional food service operators, among others.

Through this new initiative, the company is now selling both its commercial ingredients and consumer products in the Philippines. It's lineup of consumer products available in the Philippines includes its full FIT Milk lineup in single-serve bottles, and ultra-pasteurized fresh milk including whole milk, and chocolate and strawberry flavored milk in single-serve bottles.

"Fluid milk has presented a very different challenge for long range distribution, including globally, because of its relatively short shelf life," said Dan Hofmeister, president of Darigold's brand-to-consumer business. "Products like our FIT Milk, and aseptic milk, which are ultra-high temperature pasteurized, provide opportunities to overcome that limitation. Because they are ultra-pasteurized, these products offer extended shelf life of a year, making it more feasible to ship greater distances, including globally."