People look for protein in the foods they buy and use in meals, snacks and after workouts. In fact, 23 percent of adults say they are increasing the amount of protein in their eating plans. Today, we have a better understanding of the importance of eating an adequate amount of protein, and maybe more relevant, eating an adequate amount of high-quality protein - for not all proteins are created equal. Yesterday, at the 2015 Institute of Food Technology (IFT) Annual Meeting, I moderated a symposium sponsored by National Dairy Council that featured new insights on the importance of protein. I wanted to share key details with those of you working with patients and clients.

The U.S. dairy industry is innovating to match the changing needs and wants of consumers. Lu Ann Williams, head of research at Innova Market Insights, discussed ways product packaging of new dairy launches promote nutritional value, flavor and function to meet these changing desires.

Many customers are unaware that the U.S. dairy industry offers long-term fixed pricing options. While U.S. dairy prices are tied to domestic trades made on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), there are in fact several ways for buyers to mitigate their financial exposure to the upward and downward swings of the dairy market.

USDEC hosted seminars in Beijing (October 14) and Shanghai (October 16) with the theme of “New Horizons of U.S. Dairy Ingredients” reaching 110 participants, primarily R&D staff from local and multinational end-users. The seminars highlighted the United States’ expanding portfolio of attractive dairy ingredients with an emphasis on milk protein concentrates/isolates for health and wellness innovation as well as permeates as a bright prospect rising star ingredient given the cost-saving, flavor potentiating and sodium reduction benefits.