Dairy Foods Columnists

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Grocery retailers have been adept at offering promotions, but not solutions. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy worked with retailers in test markets on “solution centers.” Rebecca MacKay, the vice president for strategy, insights and planning, told me the Innovation Center developed a “Breakfast Zone” concept that gave shoppers new ideas for the morning meal.

Tea, even when served cold, is hot. Other than water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world and the 6th or 7th most consumed beverage in the United States.

Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono)is a gram-positive bacterium and a specific member of the Listeria family. It is capable of causing severe illness and even death. The mortality rate from L. monoin susceptible populations is one of the highest of any known food pathogen. Individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

An aging world population of almost half a billion seniors age 65 and older has placed demands on food and beverage manufacturers to take a closer look at the nutritional needs of seniors, who battle chronic conditions affiliated with aging. Dairy ingredients are well positioned to help address these needs.

Give the shopper what she wants. A survey showed that high-quality ingredients were important to consumers, so Brown Cow, Antioch, Calif., re-did its lids.

When consumers choose to purchase natural and organic items, 86% buy dairy products, said David Browne, senior analyst at Mintel, a market research firm. Those who buy natural and organic foods and beverages are most likely to purchase eggs (73%), milk (69%), yogurt (67%) and cheese (65%), according to a Mintel report from November 2011.

Spreading the word about dairy’s contributions to a healthy weight, and expanding the supporting science is key as obesity continues to be a serious health concern in the United States. Through dairy checkoff-funded research, the dairy industry has made it a priority to address the obesity epidemic and provide scientific insights into dairy’s role in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, dairy foods can improve weight loss quality in adults by preserving muscle and bone while losing fat.

Men of a certain age will remember Bill Cosby’s routine about his anticipation of ice cream following his childhood tonsillectomy. “Ice cream! I’m gonna eat ice cream!” I listened to that album (“Wonderfulness”) nonstop for months.

Consumers are searching supermarket shelves for tasty foods that contain fiber, according to new U.S. consumer research independently garnered for Tate & Lyle, a global food and beverage ingredient supplier.

Wikipedia defines “telematics” as “any integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (information and communications technology).” Today, I would add “command and control” to that as well.