Food and beverage brands are revisiting their formulas to pin-point undesirable ingredients. Now that clean label has become an industry focus, manufacturers are eliminating chemical-sounding or unrecognizable ingredients from their products. Susan Larson explains how the nutrition and familiarity of dairy makes it a reliable alternative to unwanted ingredients.

Traditional cheeses will always have a special bond with consumers, but cravings for cheese innovation is putting the spotlight on specialty and unique cheeses. Numerous recent industry reports show that consumers are buying more cheese, but their expectations are rising with every purchase and lifestyle decision.

Inspired by frequently sought-out food and beverage preferences, USDEC will highlight three on-trend prototypes at Booth 1931 during the 2016 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Conference in July. Be sure attend to sample the yogurt barley soup, samosa hybrid and mango chutney cottage cheese dip while gathering other resources and insights.

Proposed voluntary sodium reduction goals put forth June 1 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reflect that Americans are getting too much sodium in their diet. FDA’s suggested short and long-term goals would enable food companies and restaurants to gradually adjust sodium levels using innovations like incorporating permeate as a cost-effective, sodium substitute.

Food companies are moving away from their traditionally sweet cultured dairy products to explore new flavor combinations. Whether it’s a new product line or a switch in demand focus, savory flavors for yogurt, cream cheese and dips are making increased appearances in grocery stores, according to Dairy Foods.