Cheese

“Allowing non-dairy products to use dairy terms to promote goods with wildly different nutritional values has undermined public health.

US dairy groups press Congress on Dairy Pride Act

By Beth Newhart

Three years after its first introduction to the Senate, the divisive Dairy Pride Act is still on the minds of US dairy. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) made a case for stricter labeling guidelines while the FDA is stalled.

“We aren’t going to stop change, and we aren’t going to stop technology.

IDFA zeroes in on next-gen, and ‘making what we can sell’

By Beth Newhart

At the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum this week, president and CEO Michael Dykes spoke of the challenges facing US dairy, including product innovation, milk bankruptcies and setting the industry up for a sustainable future.

“Today we are finally ending the NAFTA nightmare.

USMCA signed into law by Trump

By Beth Newhart

The US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the House in late 2019 and the Senate earlier this month. It replaces the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Two cheese-related website domain names have come on the market and are available to be purchased.

Cheeseblock.com on the block

By Jim Cornall

It’s possible to go online and set up your own website. However, choosing a domain name isn’t that easy. Often, they are taken. But now, a pair of cheese-related domain names for the dairy industry are available – at a price.

The US dairy industry is hopeful the trade deal means more sales to China. Pic: Getty Images/Pixfly

Now phase one of trade deal has been agreed, dairy trade groups call for further leveling of trade playing field

US industry happy with dairy deal, but a lot of work left to repair bridges with China

By Richard Whitehead

Now the world’s two most powerful economies have signed the first installment of a trade deal, much more still needs to be done to eliminate retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff barriers for American dairy exports to China.

Grated cheese is being packed in a variety of bag styles, branded and plain, including 2kg pillow packs, 200-220g stand-up Doy style bags with a zip re-close system and 200-220g Easy Pack bags with a tape re-close system.

New line allows Extons Foods to expand

By Jim Cornall

UK company Extons Foods brought PFM Packaging Machinery on board to help further the firm’s expansion, from a sole trader selling products to local shops in and around Stockport to the UK’s largest independent cheese slicing company.

What’s new from the Winter Fancy Food Show?

What’s new from the Winter Fancy Food Show?

By Beth Newhart

The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show (WFFS) commenced in San Francisco last week. Dairy and non-dairy alternative products from the specialty sector exhibited for the first time in 2020.

Upfield has added Violife to its plant-based portfolio.

News in brief

Upfield finalizes Violife deal

By Jim Cornall

Upfield Group B.V., a global company focused on plant-based butter-alternatives and spreads has announced that one of its group companies, Upfield Europe B.V. has completed its purchase of Arivia S.A., a Greek producer of plant-based cheese-alternatives,...

Positive dairy reaction as USMCA passes Senate

By Beth Newhart

After months of uncertainty, the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has officially passed the US House and Senate. President Donald Trump said he will sign it into law next week.

Greece produces more than 123,000 tonnes of Feta each year. Pic: Getty Images/bhofack2

Everything you wanted to know about Feta

By Jim Cornall

At most European events, you’ll see stands with Greek products such as Feta cheese. It’s a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product, but just how much do you know about this special and ubiquitous cheese? And about Greek dairy in general?

Quebec City in Canada will be the venue for the IDF Cheese Science and Technology Symposium in June, 2020. Pic: Getty Images/R.M. Nunes

IDF cheese symposium keynote speakers announced

By Jim Cornall

The IDF Cheese Science and Technology Symposium will feature the most recent research, innovation and expertise in fields such as cheese microbial ecology, ripening, flavor, texture, functionality, cheese authenticity, nutrition, health, efficiency and...

DFA forms new Ingredient Solutions division

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of America is realigning its portfolio of dairy-based ingredients into a new group, DFA Ingredient Solutions. It says this will provide better support for food manufacturers and operators.

EU economic sanctions on Russia are effective until the end of January 2020. Pic: Getty Images/batak1

Could EU dairy exports to Russia resume?

By Jim Cornall

Italian independent brokers of dairy commodities in Europe, L’Interform, have published a report on the potential implications and scenarios of Russia opening up its dairy industry to once more include imports from the European Union.

DSM said the acquisition will strengthen its product portfolio and application know-how and expertise in solutions for semi-hard cheeses such as Gouda and Edam. Pic: DSM

DSM to acquire CSK

By Jim Cornall

Dutch-based Royal DSM has reached agreement with the shareholders of specialty dairy solutions provider Koninklijke CSK Food Enrichment C.V. to acquire 100% interest in the company for about €150m ($166m).

Dean Foods is ‘engaged in advanced discussions’ with the Dairy Farmers of America regarding a potential sale of all company assets.

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy in Texas

By Beth Newhart

One of the most well-known dairy companies in the US is prepared to sell its business after years of disappointing numbers. The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) may be a potential buyer of the Dean Foods assets.

Irish Whiskey is on the list of European GIs protected in China. Pic:getty/vincent20044

EU and China agree GI protection for 200 products

By Rachel Arthur

The EU and China have concluded negotiations on a bilateral agreement to protect 100 European Geographical Indications in China; and 100 Chinese Geographical Indications in the EU.

Q3 marked a year since Glanbia's acquisition of SlimFast in 2018. Pic: SlimFast

Glanbia’s dairy soars while performance nutrition takes a hit

By Beth Newhart

In Glanbia’s third quarter results, the global nutrition group announced total revenues were up 16.9% with strong numbers from its Nutritional Solutions (NS) division. But Performance Nutrition (GPN) struggled despite key acquisitions.

The 35,000-tonne mozzarella and pizza cheese facility has the potential to increase to 70,000-tonnes.

Ornua opens €30m cheese facility in Spain

By Jim Cornall

Ornua, Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, has officially opened its new €30m ($33.4m) cheese production facility in Ávila, Spain.

Whitehall Specialties has been working on ‘novel’ plant-based formulations for several years.

Whitehall Specialties invests in high-protein, plant-based

By Beth Newhart

At this month’s SupplySide West show in Las Vegas, Whitehall Specialties debuted its latest project, the NewFields Cheese division for plant-based products. Whitehall has been a producer of customized cheeses for 30 years.

Shredded cheese accounts for about one-third of all cheese sales in the US, which is a 12% increase since 2015.

Old El Paso enters dairy with shredded cheese line

By Beth Newhart

Taco shell and seasoning producer Old El Paso is entering the dairy industry for the first time with a collection of shredded cheeses, in partnership with Crystal Farms Dairy Company.

Somerdale’s sales now represent about 17.5% of all UK cheese exports to the US, with around half being under the Somerdale brand.

Somerdale sales grow but profit drops

By Jim Cornall

Somerdale International Limited, a UK exporter of British cheeses and dairy products, has published its report and accounts for the year ended March 31, 2019.