Editor’s Memo

Posted: January 5, 2021
In: In the Media

In my December column, I pointed to two areas of particular consumer interest — products that boost immune health and products that target the microbiome — that will spell innovation opportunity for dairy processors in 2021. Those areas of interest are huge, but they are not the only trends that bode well for dairy in the New Year.

Help them lose

Much has been said and written about the “quarantine 15” — the extra pounds many consumers packed on during shutdowns tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Imbibe Inc., a Niles, Ill.-based beverage development company, consumers will focus on shedding those pounds in 2021.

Read the full article in Dairy Foods.

beverage developent, dairy, protein drinks, weight loss

Keep Reading:

How Are Shoppers Using AI to Choose Functional Beverages?

More shoppers now ask AI about their health before they reach the shelf. Here’s what that means for functional beverage brands, and how to earn trial when AI weighs in first.

Imbibe-Developed Beauty Hydration Slushie Featured in Food Ingredients First’s SupplySide Global 2026 Recap

Frozen formats add another layer of complexity to functional products, because cold serving temperatures can mute flavor and sweetness perception. A concept that tastes balanced at room temperature may fall flat once frozen.

Clear Protein Is Booming. Is Your Portfolio Keeping Up?

Considerations like format, processing, shelf life, and label constraints all influence how a solution performs in the final product. What works in one system may not translate directly to another.