Gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers help extend shelf life, improve creamy texture of ice cream, yogurt.

In 2020 — when sales accelerated across most dairy categories — cultured dairy found itself on a divided highway. 

Bedford Park, Ill.-based Raymundo’s Food Group says that its Desi Natural brand, a Dahi (Indian-style yogurt) brand, is expanding its product line to include lassi, yogurt drinks and whole-milk flavored Dahi.

New York-based siggi’s, maker of Icelandic-style yogurt, introduced three flavors of single-serve, whole-milk, drinkable yogurts: vanilla, strawberry and blueberry.

Consumers are guzzling the drinkable cultured dairy options — sales for refrigerated kefir products and shelf-stable yogurt drinks are on the rise. Sales for sour cream are also up. Meanwhile, sales for regular yogurt and cream cheese have dropped.