Dairy beverages

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

Vinamilk delivered milk products to frontline doctors in Ho Chi Minh City

Vinamilk donates to coronavirus fight

By Jim Cornall

Vietnam's largest dairy producer, Vinamilk, has donated 10bn VND (around $430,000) to authorities for the purchase of medical equipment, including test reagents needed for quick coronavirus testing.

“In times like this, the resilience of the human spirit is more visible than ever. It’s incredibly uplifting to see so many businesses and individuals stepping up.

Dairy donates time, money and food to the coronavirus pandemic

By Beth Newhart

The coronavirus is upending businesses and economies around the world, and the dairy sector isn't immune. While some aspects of the industry need stability and assistance, others are able to share their wealth and give back.

“Do you provide paid sick leave for your employees? If not, will employees feel financially obligated to come to work even when sick?”

NMPF beefs up coronavirus resource website for dairy

By Beth Newhart

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in the US has set up a designated website for those in the dairy industry to utilize during the health crisis. It’s updating regularly with general information, work permit templates and multimedia resources.

US lays out new COVID-19 guidelines for food industry

By Beth Newhart

The Trump Administration released a set of coronavirus guidelines for all Americans, with special provisions for critical infrastructure industries like food and beverage. Brands have been adapting this week to the new reality, while keeping employee...

Rabobank is lowering its 2020 US demand growth projections from 0.8% to 0.5%, as consumers quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pic: Getty/Chinnapong

The ripple effects of COVID-19: A look into global dairy

By Beth Newhart

Rabobank assesses how the ‘corona hangover’ will impact global dairy markets in its latest report. Demand in China is already starting to bounce back after its virus exposure seems to have peaked, while the US will suffer in the coming months as cases...

Clover Sonoma’s new packaging will be available on shelves this summer in its organic half gallon and quart milk cartons.

Clover Sonoma debuts fully renewable plant-based milk carton

By Beth Newhart

California-based dairy Clover Sonoma is making sustainability strides with the launch of a new milk carton made entirely from plant materials. It’s one of the first of its kind in the US and will hit shelves this summer.

Sproud has about half the sweetness of oat beverages and five-times the protein of soy and almond.

Swedish pea drinks make North American debut

By Beth Newhart

Following the worldwide success of oat drinks from Sweden, beverage company Sproud is looking to make peas the next big milk alternative protein source. After the postponement of Natural Products Expo West, it hits the North American market next month.

The new Milo replaces milk powder with soy and oats.

Milo minus the milk

By Jim Cornall

As people are including more plant-based alternatives in their diet, Nestlé is launching plant-based versions of some of its global brands.

The Milkoscan FT3 can test samples including chocolate milk, drinking yogurt, WPC and more,

FOSS launches new dairy analyzer

By Jim Cornall

FOSS has launched MilkoScan FT3, a smart-enabled dairy analyzer for instant multi-parameter testing of a wide range of liquid and semi-solid dairy products at low cost and with consistency of results.

A plant-based toddler formula and a cultured, lab-grown breastmilk are trending in US infant nutrition this week, Pic: Getty/kuppa_rock

Alternatives to traditional infant nutrition hit US market

By Beth Newhart

Market trends and unique consumer needs in infant nutrition have producers thinking outside the realms of tradition. New launches from Else Nutrition and Biomilq have recently hit the US, forming new categories.

Biotiful Dairy is the top-selling brand of the kefir manufacturers in the UK.

Tesco says kefir is niche no more

By Jim Cornall

UK retailer Tesco says that until recently, kefir was a niche dairy product in the UK - bought mainly by Eastern European shoppers, a region where it is very popular.

If agreed, DFA will acquire 44 of the company’s fluid and frozen facilities and the real estate, inventory, equipment, and all other assets necessary to operate such facilities.

Dean Foods enters into asset purchase agreement with DFA

By Jim Cornall

Dean Foods Company has announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), through which DFA will acquire a substantial portion of Dean Foods’ business operations.

Hälsa called oats one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milk, but the US does not currently produce oats that meet Hälsa's quality standards. Pic: Hälsa

Hälsa Foods to convert dairy farms for organic oats

By Beth Newhart

A new program from oat-based yogurt alternative brand Hälsa Foods will partner with dairy farms, and support them converting to farmlands for growing organic oats. It will be led by a team of Scandinavian farmers, researchers and environmental experts.

Dairy Dialog podcast 69: Algenuity, IDFA, Fructital

Dairy Dialog podcast 69: Algenuity, IDFA, Fructital

By Jim Cornall

On this week’s Dairy Dialog podcast, we chat to Tom Bailey, senior dairy analyst at Rabobank; Andrew Spicer, Ph.D. CEO of Algenuity; Stefania Bertone from Fructital, and Robert Chesler, executive director of global dairy & food groups at INTL FCStone.

“We have to disrupt our industry from within, or we’ll be disrupted from without.

DBA appeals to farmers of the future for industry disruption

By Beth Newhart

Some top priorities for US dairy farmers in 2020 are future planning, risk management and secure milk supplies. All were examined at the Dairy Business Association’s (DBA) Dairy Strong conference in Wisconsin in January.

Ice cream has an application with adults, and the occasion of eating ice cream before bed aligns with CBD’s relaxation properties. Pic: Getty/belchonock

Does CBD have a place in dairy?

By Beth Newhart

The use of non-psychoactive CBD as a food, beverage or supplement ingredient is still illegal in the US. But that hasn’t stopped the market from exploding, with dairy already playing catch-up.

“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.

Fogg's new lifter design for glass bottles now come with the option of a gas spring.

news in brief

Fogg debuts new lifters for glass bottles

By Jim Cornall

As glass bottles become more popular because of sustainability concerns, Fogg Filler, a US company that designs and manufactures rotary filling systems for the liquids industry, has designed and engineered new lifter pedestals for glass bottle filling.

“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).

Milk is highly digestible and efficient in its nutritional transfer, giving it an edge over plants structured to produce carbohydrates. Pic: Getty/shark_749

‘Milk protein is king’ but needs an RDA overhaul

By Beth Newhart

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein is 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight. But Rob Wildman of the International Protein Board (IPB) believes the system needs changing, specific to different dietary functions.

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.

The study findings align with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015–2020). Pic: Getty/DenizA

Drinking 2% milk ages adults faster than 1% milk

By Beth Newhart

Adults who drink 1% or nonfat milk were found to age less biologically than adults who drink 2% or whole milk. The new study from Brigham Young University (BYU) analyzed milk fat intake and telomere length.

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.