Anuga 2015 Report: Innovations in Yogurt, Cultured Dairy Foods and Dairy Desserts—It’s all about Clean Label

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces at Anuga this week, as well as make new business relations. It was an amazing show. To watch a brief video on what Anuga is all about, link HERE.

After a record number of exhibitors, Anuga 2015 also increased its attendance figures. Around 160,000 trade visitors from 192 countries attended this biennial food exhibition, the largest in the world.

Anuga 2015 presented more than 7,000 exhibitors from 108 countries. The share of foreign exhibitors was 89% and the share of foreign visitors was 68%. The exhibitors were particularly impressed by the quality of the visitors, with an overwhelming number of decision-making buyers from the trade and foodservice sectors.

Dominant themes at the expo included convenience and clean label, as well as “free-from” concepts, most notably gluten free and lactose free. Vegan and vegetarian options were plentiful in every food category. Many innovations targeted the growing out-of-home and on-the-go consumer.

Here are 10 innovations that caught my eye.


Germany’s OBM Omita BodenseeMilch GmbH continues to grow its very popular MinusL line of lactose-free dairy foods. New products this year include Greek yogurt and flavored rice puddings. The company’s extensive range of lactose-free products includes everything from milk to cheese to ice cream.

Ifantis S.A. of Athens, Greece, showcased its Authentic Greek! Tzatziki with an improved recipe. Front panels of the clear containers tout the fact that the dip only contains six ingredients. The label reads: 84% Greek yogurt, 9% fresh cucumber, 2% extra virgin olive oil, and the remaining 5% is garlic, salt and anise.

Germany’s Bauer introduced Bauer Premium, an indulgent yogurt line with decadent ingredients. The 125-gram (including topping) single-serve containers are adorned with “noble” graphics to communicate the product’s premium positioning. Described as “a little luxury,” this layered 5% milkfat yogurt comes in four combinations: 1) Panna cotta-flavored yogurt on top of a strawberry-vanilla layer. The dome cup contains chocolate covered crunchy flakes; 2) Stracciatella-flavored yogurt on top of a cherry layer. The dome cup contains chocolate curls; 3) Caramel-mocha flavored-yogurt on top of a layer of caramel. The dome cup contains cappuccino-flavored crunchy balls; and 4) Madagascar vanilla-flavored yogurt on top of a raspberry layer. The dome cup contains amaretto-flavored crunchy balls.

Ireland’s Kerry Dairy received a Taste 15 award, which recognizes the top new products, for its new Yollies. Designed for children, these are yogurt snacks on collectable plastic sticks. Yollies are made using extra-thick, fruity yogurt and can be enjoyed chilled or frozen. Merchandised in the refrigerated yogurt case, Yollies are sold in four-packs of 25-gram snacks. Available in three varieties—Apricot, Raspberry and Strawberry—the clean-label formulations are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Link HERE to see how to open and enjoy the snack.

Another Taste 15 winner comes from Petri Feinkost GmbH & Co. KG of Germany. The company specializes in premium cream cheese products. The company received the award for Primello Shrimp Torte, which is a layered cream cheese spread in the form of a piece of cake. It consists of two creamy layers of cream cheese with a center of shrimp-flavored cream cheese. The product delivers a “taste of the freshness of the sea,” combined with aromatic garlic and fresh dill. This variety joins other similar cream cheese tortes in flavors such as chili, jalapeno, Mediterranean and salmon.

Germany’s Ehrmann introduced an array of new products at Anuga, including Griego Greek-style creamy yogurt in glass jars. This 10% fat yogurt comes in a unique multi-serving, 500-gram glass jar, clearly communicating what’s inside. There’s also Greek Dream, a whipped Greek-style yogurt mousse on a layer of fruit. For dessert, there’s a new flavor in the Grand Dessert pudding line: Dark Chocolate Mint.

The company also showcased a product exclusive to the Tesco retail chain. Tesco Goodness Fromage Frais pots are designed for kids, with each 50-gram container providing 44 calories and being a source of calcium and vitamin D. Made with real fruit puree and less added sugar than most other fromage frais products, Goodness is free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. The product is sold in packs of six, with two cups of three different flavors: Raspberry, Strawberry and Strawberry Banana.

Greece’s Kourellas debuted retail packs of Feta Bites. These bite-sized balls of sheep and goat’s milk feta cheese are loaded with flavorful goodies, including With Black Olives & Chili, With Greek Herbs and With Poppy Seeds. The “Greek treats” come in 5.3-ounce containers, the same size and shape of many Greek yogurts.

Heideblume Molkerei Elsdorf-Rotenburg AG debuted numerous high-protein, on-the-go dairy foods, including Elsdorfer Quark Yogurt + Protein in a pouch. This low-fat, high-protein fitness snack is targeted to health-conscious active adults. The convenient 90-gram pouch allows for spoon-free eating. (More products from this company will be showcased next week as a Daily Dose of Dairy.)

And, lastly, this product was not at the show, rather it caught my eye during one of my many supermarket expeditions. Block House Sour Cream is seasoned sour cream with quark. It is designed as a topping for potatoes, bread and even pasta. The beauty of this product is the clear, premium package. Too often, sour cream is commoditized with little differentiation in the retail case. This product’s package and formulation commands a premium spot in the dairy case, also a higher price tag.

Mark your calendar and plan early for the next Anuga, which will take place October 7 to 11, 2017, in Cologne, Germany. For more information, link HERE.