As more dairy processors are answering the call for cleaner labels, retailers are adding more shelf space for such foods and beverages. Also, consumers are increasing their purchases of organic products.
The clean label trend (which is dominating the conversation in the food industry) isn’t so much a trend anymore, but a “movement.” This is a common thing I’m hearing when talking to dairy processors and suppliers lately. With consumers making it very clear what it is they want, more food manufacturers are recognizing this movement and are answering the call with new product innovation, more transparency about what they use, changing the ingredients, or in some cases, all of these things.
New ingredients including: Native milk protein isolate with high protein, Premixes meet all monitoring program standards, Natural ingredient solutions, and more.
The Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) annual food expo returns to Chicago July 16 through 19, with a focus on protein, clean labels, functional ingredients and more.
May 12, 2016
IFT16, held at The McCormick Place South in Chicago, showcases the largest collection of food ingredients, equipment, processing and packaging suppliers. Processors can learn about the latest global food trends, see displays of the products and innovations designed to address these trends, and attend educational sessions that address important issues for today. The expo kicks off Saturday, July 16, with an awards ceremony and welcome reception.
Consumers tend to see foods with added ingredients as ‘processed.’ Yet they also consider fortified foods ‘worthwhile.’ One survey finds that consumers trust ‘functional foods.’ So what’s a dairy processor to do?
Since 1998, the International Food Information Council has taken Americans’ temperature on the topic of functional foods and beverages. The IFIC assesses their attitudes and awareness and gives the industry an idea of precisely what consumers look for when they shop for products that promise benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Nonfat dry milk, whey protein concentrate and dairy ingredients are multifunctional. They can contribute to a cleaner label by replacing emulsifiers, whiteners and even preservatives.
In early March, the state of West Virginia passed a new law making it easier for its citizens to purchase raw milk. To celebrate the passage of the legislation, one lawmaker shared a toast of raw milk with his colleagues. It may have been just a coincidence, but many of the lawmakers ended up getting sick in the ensuing days.
Nestlé Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Oakland, Calif., announced in April that it will remove artificial colors and flavors, highfructose corn syrup and GMO ingredients from six ice cream and frozen dessert brands
Launched at the beginning of 2016, TIC Gums offers an extended portfolio of gellan and gellan-based blends for manufacturers seeking to formulate beverages which adhere to clean-label restrictions.