Swiss Valley Farms, Davenport, Iowa, said it sold its Platteville, Wis., cheese manufacturing facility to Tritent International Agriculture Inc., Chicago. The sale became effective Sept. 18, 2012. Details of the transaction are not being publicly disclosed.

Sodium in Kraft Singles American Slices has been reduced 18%. The figure is 30% in Kraft Easy Mac Cups Original and Triple Cheese. Other cheese products with sodium reduction of more than 10% are Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese and Breakstone's 2% Cottage Cheese.

The nation's largest dairy processor, Dean Foods, says it "recently decided to explore a transaction that may result in the sale of the Morningstar business."

The Kroger Co. announced nationwide availability of its new Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic brands. Dairy categories include milk and yogurt; other categories are salads, dried fruit, sodas, chips and quinoa.  Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic products are free from 101 artificial preservatives and ingredients that some customers have said they do not want in their foods. Simple Truth Organic products are certified organic by the USDA.

During the first quarter of 2013, General Mills launched more than 100 new products worldwide. Established brands, including Yoplait Greek yogurt, also contributed strong sales gains, according to the company's press release. Still, sales for Yoplait declined, according to a company press release. 

Agri-Mark will receive the New York Dairy of Distinction 2012 'Business of Distinction' award at a special ceremony on Aug. 27 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY.

"We're pleased to announce that Agri-Mark has been named our 2012 'Business of Distinction'," said Nancy Putman, Secretary of Dairy of Distinction's New York chapter. "Agri-Mark and its Cabot and McCadam dairy brands exemplify the very best in the dairy industry."
 

Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, Ore., named Patrick Criteser as the Association’s new president and CEO. He succeeds Harold Strunk

General Mills' Yoplait has developed a new, six-ingredient yogurt named Simplait. It will be available this month. Simplait follows the launch last month of a 100-calorie-per-serving Greek yogurt. 

Land O’Lakes Inc. is buying Kozy Shack Enterprises a maker of chilled dairy desserts, including rice puddings and flan. The deal is expected to close on July 31.