Natural cheese sales are growing again, and natural slices appears to be leading the pack.

The last time we focused specifically on cheese, July 2006, quarterly retail sales of natural cheese were losing steam, based on numbers from Information Resources Inc.

In order to understand the importance of sustainable packaging, it is necessary to understand sustainability and triple bottom-line thinking.

Ser Manzanas Deliciosas Apple Juice and Milk Drink, a homogenized and ultra-pasteurized drink based on apple juice and low-lactose skimmed milk, is new from Mastellone Hnos. in Argentina. It is fortified with calcium and vitamins A, C and D.

Perry’s Ice Cream, Akron, N.Y., appeals to its regional following with Buffalo Sabres Top Shelf Sundae. This new flavor boasts its very own “hat trick” with swirls of thick fudge, fudge-coated cone pieces and chopped peanuts. It is packaged in an eye-catching container donned in Sabres colors, including the team’s new logo.

The power of the world’s most researched probiotic culture in children, Lactobacillus GG (LGG), is now part of the cultured Danimals dairy products line from The Dannon Co., White Plains, N.Y. LGG can be found in Danimals Smoothies and Danimals XL, and will be added to Danimals Cups in April. Stay tuned for more details in the April issue of Dairy Foods.

Heideblume Molkerei in Germany introduces Elsdorfer Lipowell Drink mit CLA, which is a yogurt drink containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA’s claim to fame is that it converts body fat to lean muscle mass, especially if combined with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

This past holiday season, HP Hood, Chelsea, Ma., spiced things up with the introduction of Cinnamon EggNog and Pumpkin EggNog.

With today’s children and youth being less active, consuming more fat and sweetened beverages, and eating fewer healthy foods, Life Science Nutritionals, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, has launched a solution to this and many other mom problems when it comes to providing children with healthy drink choices.

Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet as I write this, but I’m in the holiday spirit and I do sincerely wish one and all a Very Happy New Year!

Yes, I’m in the holiday spirit and you, as a milk buyer, may want to imbibe in a few more holiday spirits.

Refrigerated iced tea sales continue on a tear, while juice and juice drinks have declined, particularly when measured by unit sales. Meanwhile, sales of both butter and margarine spreads have both been slipping, but looking at margarine and blended spreads in particular it appears that consumers are looking for something they can feel good about.