Dairy Foods Blog

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One size fits all never works. Dairies understand that consumers want options. That’s why milk processors offer the four fats (whole, 2%, 1% and nonfat), ice cream makers churn no-sugar-added varieties and cheesemakers cut their products into slices, chunks and shreds.

The world was turned upside last month for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s winter south of the Equator where Brazil hosted the summer Olympics. That gave me a different perspective on current events.

The 100 largest dairy processors in North America clearly are planning ahead. They are building new plants and adding to existing ones, even though at least 30% of the companies reported lower sales in 2015 than in 2014. They are not going to let a one-year blip derail their plans for the future.

In head-to-head comparisons, nutrient-dense dairy foods beat their analog counterparts. Perhaps the new FDA labeling requirements will help the dairy industry to push back against claims by plant-based products.

At issue is a World Health Organization proposal written in January that seeks to prohibit the promotion of milk and milk products to children under the age of three. In April, The National Milk Producers Federation (representing dairy farmers) and the International Dairy Foods Association (representing dairy processors) urged members of Congress to insist upon a more thorough analysis of the proposal.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Big Business in the United States is against regulation. Except when a law protects its own interests. Case in point: food processors and ingredient labeling.

The new guidelines support the consumption of reduced-fat dairy products. It is up to dairy marketers to figure out how to convince American adults to eat more. They fall short of the recommended three daily servings.

You owe it to your employees and shareholders to grow your business by finding new customers, developing new foods and promoting dairy products to consumers.

Quaff an egg nog, dip a chip. Eat as much as you are able from the overloaded buffet table. Mix and mingle. Just say ‘hi.’ Celebrate the days gone by.