Dairy Foods Columnists

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Dairies and other food makers must comply with the new FDA Nutrition Facts label rules by July 26, 2018. Get started now.

Dairies must prepare now for the sweeping changes that will require new nutrition facts labels by 2018. An estimated 800,000-plus labels will need to change to meet the FDA’s new regulations.

In order to have safe and high-quality products, dairies must start with high-quality raw milk and cream. Tests must be selected and run on each batch/tanker before you decide whether or not to accept the load.

Before the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), U.S. cheese exporters faced a 245% out-of-quota tariff if they wanted to ship to Canada. After TPP is implemented, U.S. cheese exporters will continue to face a 245% out-of-quota tariff, but with the opportunity to compete for a larger quota of various cheeses.

People are living longer, but their golden years are often marked by physical and mental decline. It is estimated that as many as 90% of seniors are deficient in Vitamin D, a critical nutrient for aging bodies and brains. Physicians frequently prescribe a vitamin D supplement, but fortified dairy foods contain a readily absorbable source of this nutrient, plus an overall nutrient package that may be more beneficial to bone, cardiovascular and cognitive health than a pill.

While protein consumption in the United States generally meets the minimum requirements, emerging research indicates a higher-protein diet — while staying within the range of 10% to 35% of total calories (the amount for weight management) — may have benefits for certain populations.

Hygienic design is a design process or a set of design principles to manage hazards and reduce food safety risks in food processing equipment, processes and facilities. For this article, we will concentrate solely on equipment with one very big proviso – equipment design is only one of many inter-related elements.

Often, flavor rules when it comes to consumer acceptability of foods. When it comes to cultured dairy foods, I might add “texture rules.”

There is a growing mandate from health authorities to reduce consumption of sugars (i.e., mono- and di-saccharides). For example, the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for significant reduction in calories from “added sugars.” Excluding lactose (which could eventually be included), current frozen desserts can contribute up to 22 grams of added sugars per serving, representing approximately 80% of total calories. The numbers will surge as serving sizes are increased to reflect the amounts typically consumed by Americans.

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.