Susan Larson

Clean label can be categorized multiple ways, but in the end, it’s the ingredients and their origins that matter for labeling. Four P’s — pronunciation, production, processing and purpose — all contribute to clean-label perceptions.

Providing a complete protein is one of the many qualities that makes dairy indispensable. These high-quality proteins that function across broad applications make dairy ingredients attractive to a wide audience. This is important as the demand for high-protein products continues to grow and protein inclusion in products becomes an expectation. Now brands are striving for robust claims to satisfy their protein-hungry customers.

For product innovators, creators and sellers, knowing and anticipating the habits of consumers is a necessity. The switch from three meals a day to multiple mini-meals is one change that hasn’t stumped us, but empowered us to think differently about how snacks are presented.

Thanks to emerging studies, an ingredient like milkfat that was once taken out of food formulations due to health misconceptions is now getting appreciation.

Protein holds an important place in the minds of consumers, merging with almost every new trend appearing in the food and beverage industry. The success of protein continues with the number of consumers beginning to understand its overall benefits and finding more ways to incorporate protein into their daily lives.

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.

U.S. dairy ingredients meet demands for recognizable and understandable ingredient lists in popular applications and recipes.

During the current egg shortage, consider whey proteins as full or partial egg replacements.

The U.S. dairy industry has the ingredients to meet the needs of beverage formulators. Functional beverages made with milk or whey protein aid in muscle care and weight management.

For young adults, 20 grams of whey protein after exercise can increase muscle protein synthesis. For older adults, increasing protein intake helps them maintain bone and muscle mass.