Have you ever wondered about how the processing steps of protein ingredients differ and what effect those steps have on sustainable production? If so, you might be surprised to learn how “green” dairy is. Findings from a new landscape survey comparing the commercial processing of 17 protein ingredients were unveiled on July 13 as part of the technical program of the virtual Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo, known as SHIFT20. The study – which was conducted by RTI Innovation Advisors and funded by the National Dairy Council – shed scientific light on how dairy proteins compare with plant and other protein sources when it comes to degree of processing and impact on environmental resources. This is especially critical at a time when sustainable food production is paramount to addressing the challenge of providing valuable nutrition to the growing global population.

According to data from Innova Market Insights, global new product launches with protein claims have nearly doubled since 2014. As a result, the marketplace is seeing increased usage of higher protein containing dairy ingredients such as whey or milk protein concentrates and isolates in food products.

Thanks to new research, full-fat dairy products now have a more positive outlook among consumers. Recent studies found that milkfat ingredients may not negatively affect heart health, nor contribute to obesity or Type 2 diabetes in consumers. The food industry is embracing milkfat ingredients as important to modern diets. In fact, applications using various forms of milkfat had a global market size of $49 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow to $53 billion by 2020.¹