HEADLINES

Saputo Inc., in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is warning the public not to consume the Neilson Trutaste 2% Microfiltered Partly Skimmed Milk sold in 4 litre bags with best before date Feb. 12, 2012 because it may contain a cleaning solution. The affected product, Neilson Trutaste 2% Microfiltered Partly Skimmed Milk, is sold in 4L bags bearing UPC 066800 00404 4 and the Best Before code 1590 FE12 H7. The Best Before code appears on the bag closure tab. No other codes are affected. This product has been distributed in Ontario and in Aylmer, Quebec. There has been one reported reaction associated with the consumption of this product.

Price Chopper Supermarkets is issuing a voluntary recall on its Coyote Joe’s Shredded Taco Cheese 16 oz, UPC 41735-12509 with an expiration date of April 21, 2012 due to the possibility of shredded plastic fragments inside the packaging. The cheese was sold chainwide between the dates of Jan. 4 and Jan. 17, 2012. In addition to alerting the media, Price Chopper has initiated its Smart Reply notification program, which uses purchase data and consumer phone numbers on file in connection with the company’s AdvantEdge (loyalty) card to alert those households that may have purchased the product in question.

The new standards for school meals announced Wednesday by First Lady Michelle Obama and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack standards for the first time in more than 15 years and are said to improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million children that participate in school meal programs every school day. Read the standards on the USDA website. Read more reaction on dairyfoods.com

The number of global food and drinks launches featuring floral ingredients recorded by Innova Market Insights in the first 10 months of 2011 rose 7% over the same period in 2010. The use of flowers as flavorings has long been popular in Japan and other parts of the Far and Middle East, but that trend has now spread to Western markets. Innova Market Insights records that the most popular floral flavors globally in January to October 2011 were jasmine, lotus, rose and chrysanthemum, but that there were significant differences according to geographical region and type product. The flavors are prevalent in hot beverages, primarily tea, soft drinks and confectionery. Innova has seen movement in alcoholic beverages, dairy products, spreads and seasonings. Read more www.innovadatabase.com

DAIRY PROCESSORS

Pythagoras Solar announced the completion of its solar window project at the Organic Valley headquarters in La Farge, Wis. Organic Valley was said to have chosen the solar windows because they support its "triple bottom line" of sustainability - social responsibility, ecological integrity and economic stability. This project included the installation of 20 solar windows that deliver solar power while simultaneously providing significant energy efficiency gains and optimized daylighting.

Stonyfield Organic and Peanut Butter & Co. are engaged in a month-long online promotion, the Nutty About Yogurt Sweepstakes! The two companies have engaged six food bloggers to develop new breakfast recipes using peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co. and yogurt from Stonyfield Organic. Consumers are invited to vote for their favorite recipe at www.NuttyAboutYogurt.com unitl Feb. 13. The blogger whose recipe gets the most votes will receive $1,000. Consumers taking part in the promotion will be entered into a sweepstakes, with five winners receiving a prize pack containing products from Peanut Butter & Co. and Stonyfield valued at $100.

The American Dairy Products Institute is accepting nominations for its 2012 Award of Merit, which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the processed dairy products industry. Send nomination letters to The American Dairy Products Institute, 116 N. York St., Suite 200, Elmhurst, IL 60126 and include the name of the person making the recommendation, the name and company of the candidate and a brief description of their career contributions to the dairy industry. Nominations must be received by Monday, Feb. 13.

Saputo’s DCI Cheese Co. launched a new contest centered around its Joan of Arc imported French cheese brand. One Grand Prize winner will receive an all-inclusive weekend getaway, to be awarded as a $2,000 Visa gift card. In-store shelf talkers with tear pads featuring a coupon for Joan of Arc cheeses can be found in participating retailers throughout the Feb. 1 to March 31 contest period. Consumers with smart phones can connect directly to www.JoanofArcBrie.com via the promotional display’s QR code to access the online entry form or to view recipes and wine pairings.

DAIRY PRODUCTS
Pacific Valley Dairy’s premium soft serve frozen yogurt mix and flavoring system, is now available to yogurt shops and restaurants across the nation. The YoMazing! custom flavor system offers more than 40 flavors with just six base mixes, allowing for daily flavor rotation and endless creative combinations with ease-of-use and minimal storage needs. Pacific Valley Dairy is a division of Orrville, Ohio-based Schmid Inc., which owns and operates facilities in Indiana (Wayne Dairy Products Inc.) and Ohio (Dairy Enterprises Inc.).

Yasso launched Yasso Smoothies, an all-natural frozen Greek yogurt smoothie line. The company also makes frozen Greek yogurt novelty bars. The smoothies are sold in Strawberry Banana, Mango Pineapple and Mixed Berry flavors. When prepared with one cup of skim milk, each 8-ounce serving is fat-free, low in sugar, and delivers 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. The products are sold in the freezer case near the novelty bars. Retail packs are 7.4-ounces and make two servings; the club packs contain five 7.4-ounce pouches and make ten servings.

YoCrunch rolled out Greek Parfait cups with toasted almonds combined with "superfruits" like acai and pomegranate. The parfaits positioned as an on-the-go breakfast or power-packed snack. The nonfat Greek yogurt is sold in two fruit combinations: Pomegranate, Blueberry & Acai and Raspberry & Acai. Each flavor contains 190 calories, including the toppings, in a 6-ounce serving.

enLiven yogurt expanded its offerings with single-serve 6-ounce yogurts with probiotics in five varieties: plain, blueberry, peach, strawberry and vanilla. The five new cups complement the brand's 4-packs sold in 4-ounce cups. The new SKUs are initially rolling out at Walmart stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. enliven is made by Ganeden, a distributor of over-the-counter probiotic products.

Pierre’s Premium Ice Cream, Cleveland, added two flavors of lactose-free ice cream – vanilla and chocolate. The ice cream is made with fresh ingredients and a lactase enzyme, which breaks down the lactose in the ice cream. Itis packaged in specially designed red containers with words “lactose free” printed in a pattern along the lid rim along with a bright yellow lactose free logo located just above the scoop. Read more about Pierre’s at dairyfoods.com

G.S. Gelato & Desserts, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., added a ninth flavor, Caramel Sea Salt. The pints will be available for distribution in February. The texture of the gelato is said to be reminiscent of a soft warm caramel, and a delicate touch of Mediterranean sea salt. Pints will retail from $4.29 to $4.99.