Consumers in their 20s and 30s often start to think about the future. They start their career, figure out where they want to live, step up their skincare routine and exercise to stay healthy and fight the visible signs of aging — but do they know that diet also impacts aging?

When guided by science, many options are available to achieve a healthy diet. While eating both animal- and plant-based foods is important for consumers to achieve a balanced diet that is both tasty and easy to enjoy, protein quality is an important factor to consider.

Shamrock Farms, Phoenix, introduced Swirled — a chocolate milk that blends creamy dairy and natural plant-based ingredients.

Attendees of the Institute of Food Technologists' SHIFT20 conference had the first peek at the results of a new study comparing resource requirements to produce various protein sources. I'm now sharing this exciting information with Dairy Detective readers.

Bunge Ltd., Chesterfield, Mo., made a 30 million Canadian-dollar capital investment in Merit Functional Foods, Winnipeg, Manitoba, giving the global ingredient supplier a minority interest in the Canadian company.

Royal DSM, Delft, Netherlands, and the Avril Group, France's fourth-largest agro-industrial group, announced the launch of their joint venture, Olatein, to produce canola (rapeseed) proteins for the global food market.

Kerry, Naas, Ireland, said it expanded its non-allergenic and organic plant protein capability by acquiring the Spanish company Pevesa Biotech.

Oath, New York said it launched Oath organic “oatmilk” and plant-based protein drink.

Newly launched Merit Functional Foods, Manitoba, Winnipeg, said it is seeking to uproot the food and beverage industry’s perception of plant-based proteins by producing high-quality plant protein ingredients that exceed standards for purity, solubility, taste and more.