Cultures and enzymes are the “secret ingredients” behind many of consumers’ favorite dairy products. They can influence attributes ranging from taste and texture to mouthfeel and shelf life.

Sugar continues to be at the top of the list of nutrients that consumers are trying to reduce in their diets. A recent update from the American Heart Association noted, "Strong evidence supports the association of added sugars with increased cardiovascular disease in children."

Back in 2016, FDA announced an update to the Nutrition Facts label. As part of that update, the agency called for food and beverage manufacturers to list "added sugars" instead of only "total sugars."

Better Juice Ltd., a Rehovot, Israel-based sugar-reduction foodTech start-up, announced a collaboration with Düsseldorf, Germany-based GEA Group AG in a push to scale up and expand its global footprint.

On Jan. 1, 2020, the first stage of FDA's mandated Nutrition Facts label change went into effect. Companies with $10 million in annual sales or more are now required to list added sugars on their products' labels, and other brands will be required to follow suit by 2021.

Dairy foods are ideal components of a sensible weight management plan, but added sugars can sabotage the healthy aspects of those foods.

These days, terms such as keto, paleo, high-protein, plant-based, vegan, even "pegan" (paleo-plus-vegan), describe not just diets but entire lifestyles.

Clean label is a trend that is here to stay. Some of the more common attributes associated with clean label include minimally processed, sustainable, simple and fewer ingredients, organic, non-GMO and "free from" claims regarding artificial colors and flavors, preservatives and more.

The pending change to nutrition labeling regulations requiring the declaration of "added sugars" (AS) in the Nutrition Facts panel is likely to make AS content the subject of competitive market positioning. The pending increase in ice cream serving size from 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup (which increases AS by >30% per serving) further complicates AS management.

If you'e ready for the day when FDA mandates that all food and beverage labels stipulate not only how much total sugar is in each serving, but how much of that sugar is "added," take a bow: Prepping for the "added sugars" deadline has been no mean feat.