The conversation seems to be moving in a more balanced direction for whole milk-based dairy foods (i.e., milk, cheese and yogurt). While nutritional guidance has recommended low-fat and fat-free dairy foods for the past 30 years, the scientific evidence on whole milk and milk products is evolving and appears to be neutral to positive on cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes.

Whether it’s an electrolyte-packed sports drink or a dose of caffeine from an energy drink, consumers really like their energy-boosting beverages. Sales for both sports drinks and energy drinks are jumping.

To see how White Clover Dairy grew up to become Arla Foods, it helps to look at a series of aerial photos hung in the entrance hallway to this cheese plant in Hollandtown, Wis. In the first image there is a farmhouse near the original plant. Later images show how expansions to the plant crept closer and closer to the house. Eventually, the plant completely surrounds the farmhouse, and in the last image, the house is gone. These additions over the years turned the facility into a 110,000-square-foot plant.

Dairy Foods editor-in-chief Jim Carper spoke with Mario Leite, the founder of Tea-rrific! Ice Cream, about the company, his goals and lessons that he would share with other food entrepreneurs.

Cheese consumption continues to rise in the United States with the most recent data showing that on average, each American consumes a little over 35 pounds of cheese each year – an all-time high, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Uncommon Coffee Roasters, Douglas, Mich., makes ready-to-drink cold brew coffee in three flavors: original, half & half and chocolate milk.

Snofrisk, from the makers of Jarlsberg (a Darien, Conn.-based Norseland Inc. company), is part of a Norwegian specialty cheese line.

The European dairy cooperative Arla Foods amba has set its sights on the United States. The strategic plan of this co-op based in Denmark states that the goal is to “excel in eight dairy categories; focus on six geographical regions and win as one united and efficient Arla.”

Litehouse Inc., Sandpoint, Idaho, expanded its refrigerated salad dressing line with three bacon-inspired dressings: bacon vinaigrette, bacon blue cheese, and avocado ranch with bacon

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bolthouse Farms’ MAIO is a new line of refrigerated, yogurt-based spreads made with clean ingredients (like milk, water, corn starch, salt and cane sugar).