Water kefir: A new gut-health growth opportunity?
Kefir’s dairy-free twin has enormous growth potential
Dairy beverages
Third time lucky? Danone, Lifeway in fresh acquisition talks
After twice failing to reach an agreement, Danone and Lifeway Foods are talking again - but is a deal in sight?
‘Knowing, calculated, and systematic’: Danone takes aim at Chobani in explosive court case
The lawsuit claims that Chobani is free-riding on Danone’s brand equity and marketing investment in RTD coffee by copying SToK’s slogan and packaging design
FBIF 2025
Meiji: Protein intake trumps exercise to build muscle gains
Meiji has urged consumers to focus on protein consumption over exercise for muscle growth and maintenance, across all groups from seniors to athletes
What’s brewing in the US coffee creamer space?
Refrigerated coffee creamers are a thriving category fueled by consumer appetite for barista-style drinks. Here’s what’s driving innovation
Beyond intolerance: The rise and rise of low and no lactose dairy
By combining functional and digestive benefits, lactose-free dairy is carving out a growing niche of health-focused formats
‘Stop moving the goalposts!’ Small businesses dread sugar tax reformulation drama
The UK wants to increase the scope of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: and small businesses are worried
Danone CEO advocates caution in Oikos Protein Shakes expansion
The group wants to validate repeat purchase behavior before committing to a nationwide roll-out in the US
Good & Proper’s barista-ready matcha taps into booming matcha latte trend
Matcha is having a moment: nowhere more so than in trendy, Instagram-friendly matcha lattes. But that’s opened up the market up to cheaper, lower quality alternatives. Good & Proper’s latest launch heralds a return to ‘matcha, as it should be’
Danone sales up as Asia punches in hefty growth
Danone has delivered robust sales growth overall, thanks to its ‘Renew Danone’ strategy, but is seeing losses in some markets
How brands can bank on yogurt’s health halo
The wellness trend is driving demand for functional, protein-rich foods like yogurt. Here’s what’s fueling growth in the category
IFT First: New tech and innovations to look out for at the food science expo
Ready for the new world of GLP-1 food and drink? Want to keep up to speed with the latest in functional and plant-based ingredients, alternative proteins, sugar reduction tech and much more? Here are some of the innovations set to star at the global food...
Healthplex Expo 2025, Natural & Nutraceutical Products China 2025 (HNC 2025)
Mengniu to explore bone, joint, anti-oxidation for sports nutrition range
China dairy giant Mengniu Dairy is exploring bone and joint health, as well as anti-oxidation as it expands its sports nutrition range.
Danone on America’s ‘coffee evolution’ and ongoing growth in creamers
From tapping into the CoffeeTok culture to elevating plant-based creamers, how is one of the major coffee creamer producers moving the needle on innovation?
Pioneers
High-protein game changers: Slate Milk
In a new article series, we spotlight some of the companies that are driving innovation in high-protein dairy . . .
Dairy Innovation
Ultra-filtered milk is redefining dairy: Inside the strategies of Quest, Nurri and Pioneer Pastures
As consumers demand more protein, less sugar, and better nutrition from their beverages, three disruptive brands are using ultra-filtration to reinvent milk – and reshape the dairy aisle
Flavored milk: The next frontier in high-protein dairy?
New product development in protein has largely focused on yogurt and cultured beverages. Flavored milk could be next
Danone’s Oikos expands into $7bn ambient protein shakes market
The move creates a new aisle presence for Oikos, traditionally known for its high-protein yogurts
From gut health to immunity: What do consumers want from functional food and beverage?
We look at data from five major European countries to find out what are the major claims driving interest towards biotics – and what that means for food and beverage brands
Winning in RTD coffee: How Emmi Caffe Latte became the UK’s fastest-growing iced coffee brand
Emmi Caffe Latte has been carving out a bigger share of the UK RTD coffee market, with plans to raise its global profile now taking shape. What’s the brand doing right?
UK set to extend sugar tax to milk-based drinks
The UK plans to lower the threshold the sugar tax kicks in at: as well as extend it to milk-based drinks and their plant-based counterparts
From Danone to Müller: Why kefir is a big pull for big brands
From an obscure ethnic beverage to a global dairy megatrend, kefir is attracting big-brand interest and a growing consumer base
Müller acquires Biotiful in functional dairy push
The dairy major has snapped up the top-selling British kefir brand in a bid to enter the functional dairy space
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Nestlé launches hybrid milk drink for school-aged children
The food major has extended its Bear Brand range to school-aged children in a bid to tackle nutritional deficiencies in the Philippines
From Jersey milk coffee to alcohol-free ale: What caught our eye at IFE 2025
We round-up some of the product highlights from the show floor of the food and drink trade show held at ExCeL London
How Nestlé & Danone stir up the billion-dollar coffee creamer space
From cold foam creamers to Super Bowl ads, the two category majors are in close competition. How are they innovating – and where’s the US coffee creamer category at?
India proposes mandatory milk product logo, plus larger sat fat, sugar, salt labels
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed mandating a logo on milk products, while calling for more prominent salt, sugar and fat labelling.
Danone North America sues Lifeway Foods over alleged shareholder agreement breach
Danone claims Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky received shares in a ‘value-destroying gifting program’ without the dairy multi-national’s permission
Recommendations children ‘mostly drink water and plain milk’ reveal beverage innovation need
Public health experts recommend children under 18 years limit 100% fruit and vegetable juice, plant-based milk, sugar-sweetened beverages and beverages with non-sugar sweeteners and caffeine – limiting options to plain water and milk
Lifeway Foods rejects Danone’s ‘opportunistic proposal’, adopts ‘poison pill’ plan
The kefir maker’s board of directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan in a bid to avoid a hostile takeover.
Can functional dairy beverages thrive on the ‘dusty shelf’?
Products such as probiotic-enriched milk can now be stored outside the fridge thanks to food technology and packaging innovations. But would consumers buy into the emerging category?
Chobani’s all-natural high-protein yogurt for the masses
The US Greek yogurt producer wants to ‘broaden the market’ of high-protein yogurt for mainstream consumers – but how does the range stand out?
Danone caps 30 years of gut health innovation with Actimel+ Triple Action release
The dairy major has enhanced its functional yogurt beverage to address key nutritional challenges for European consumers while also lightening up the range’s packaging.
Cheese lovers, would you try Cheese Tea?
Tea brand Heytea has landed in Paris, France with the aim to entice the cheese-loving nation with its Cheese Tea in the build-up to the Summer Olympics.
Arla Foods pairs with Mondelēz in first confectionery brand partnership
The collaboration with the confectionery giant will create ‘a unique and enticing proposition for consumers’, says the dairy co-operative as it hints: this is just the beginning.
Report reveals top trends in functional beverages
Consumers are demanding additional functional ingredients in beverages as they look for products to support their mental and physical energy while attaining hydration goals.
From paperization to promotional messaging: How are plant-based milk brands differentiating?
We speak to two leading packaging manufacturers about the materials, formats and branding choices that plant-based milk manufacturers are eyeing in 2024.
Danone converts dairy yogurt plant into plant-based dairy facility
The dairy major has completed the conversion of a French yogurt plant into a dedicated facility for plant-based milk alternatives.
How keen are consumers on animal-free dairy? Not so much, research finds
An experimental study on consumer perceptions found that European shoppers have little appetite for animal-free dairy alternatives, though positive associations with the products’ perceived environmental benefits can enable manufacturers and retailers to...
Alexandre Family Farm helps Once Upon a Farm enter dairy with A2 milk offerings
The childhood nutrition company has become the latest to partner with the California-based dairy producer who specializes in A2 organic grass-fed milk production.
Ulcer-healing dairy supplement leverages nanotech to squeeze the most of its ‘golden’ ingredient
South Korean brand Castoma says nanotechnology has enabled the company to shrink down the molecules of curcumin and boost its effectiveness against common stomach problems.
'A disruptive solution': A closer look at Tetra Pak’s aseptic carton with paper-based barrier
From recyclability to carbon footprint and shelf life, we find out more about the properties of Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf, Tetra Pak’s new aseptic carton with a paper-based barrier.
‘It will strengthen and broaden our portfolio': SIG poised to innovate ‘faster and better’ at new Packaging Development Center
The packaging solutions provider says the €10m/$10.8m facility will strengthen the company’s ability to optimize, test and qualify new packaging structures, paving the way for developing more sustainable packaging options for the food and beverage...
Having it both ways: Creating a ‘middle path’ to premium yet affordable food and beverage product innovation
The dual rise of consumer demands for the somewhat paradoxical combination of premiumisation and affordability in foods and beverages has spurred firms to find various forms of a ‘middle path’ when it comes to innovation.
Milk’s role in craft cocktails is clear to see
Clarified cocktails are some of the most sought-after drinks in bars around the world today, but how about enjoying one on-the-go? California-based New Alchemy Distilling claims to have found a winning formula for a clean-label, ready-to-drink clarified...
Dairy and plant-based organizations go head-to-head over FDA’s plant-based milk labeling guidance
More than 900 comments have been submitted to the FDA over its proposed labeling guidance for plant-based milk alternatives. From Danone North America to the Plant Based Foods Association, we round up some of the key arguments from both sides.
Nestlé’s patented technology can enable ‘source of fiber’ claims for milk products
The food industry giant has developed an enzymatic solution that converts lactose into microbiome-supporting dietary fibers while reducing total sugars at the same time.
‘We do not believe consumers are confused at all’: UK’s plant-based dairy makers bemoan lack of clarity on labeling rules
After it emerged that policymakers were considering a ban of dairy descriptors on plant-based products sold in the UK, makers of dairy alternatives are none the wiser if their industry would face more restrictive labeling rules.
Convenience in choice: Oatly aims to entice flexitarians to stick to oatmilk with new releases
The Swedish alt dairy brand’s new Whole, Semi, Light and No Sugars long-life oat drinks have been designed to offer convenience and familiarity to those consumers who find themselves going back to traditional dairy.