A shout out to Julian Mellentin with NewNutrition Business for sharing this infographic (below). He commissioned its creation to coincide with World Milk Day, which was January 1, 2024.
“As you know well, milk is a naturally nutrient dense superfood and it’s time the intrinsic health values of dairy were made more widely known,” he says. “So to showcase that, we asked a colleague, who has a master’s in nutrition science, to create this graphic.
“It shows that milk is a whole food. The complexity of the whole food matrix provides a unique bundle of essential nutrients that it is impossible to replicate.”
Well said! Thanks Julian.
I am convinced that whole milk will become cool again thanks to innovations in foodservice. Take for example Mycha, which calls itself The Milk Tea ATM. It’s a vending machine business featuring made-fresh-daily milk teas and other milk-based beverages in Chicago and Los Angeles. It’s growing quickly. You can read more HERE.
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The drinks are amazing. I am partial to the Taro Milk Tea, which combines the earthy sweetness of taro root with the creamy richness of milk. It has a slightly nutty flavor and is not overly sweet. (I do not have a sweet tooth.)
When I visited Thailand, such places were ubiquitous. And they made cows and their milk the star, with photo ops available near Holstein statues.
We need more of this in the U.S., especially in urban areas.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has started playing in this space in the U.S. The specialty coffee and tea house’s new summer menu features four new beverages that showcase the delightful textures and tastes of boba pearls and matcha. Whole milk is also part of the mix.
The four offerings are: Iced Brown Sugar Latte with Boba, Iced Ceylon Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Boba, Iced Matcha Cream Strawberry Latte and Iced Matcha Cream Mango Latte.
It’s summer road trip time! Get me to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
New York City’s famous Milk Bar has long been offering various “milky” products at its cafes. (The name is a giveaway!) The company has teamed up with Tropicana to introduce a new limited-time-only soft-serve this summer.
“As a life-long OJ enthusiast, I’m so excited to partner with iconic juice brand, Tropicana, to create our new summer treat obsession, Orange Squeeze soft-serve,” says Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar. “I grew up racing to the ice cream truck to score my favorite creamy, orange and vanilla flavored bar. Orange Squeeze is our take on that childhood classic, transporting you back, Milk Bar style, to sweet summer memories of that bright, fresh-tasting combo.”
And the Winners Are…
Circana released its 2023 New Product Pacesetters report this week, which features the top-100 CPG product launches in the food and beverage and nonfood categories. The latest Pacesetters, which garnered $6.1 billion in combined first-year sales, include products that help Americans navigate their daily lives in new ways as they adapt to post-pandemic routines. The report highlights the ongoing influence of innovation in the CPG sector as consumers seek exploration and new experiences, gravitating toward versatile products and new product formats.
“Consumer behavior has changed dramatically in recent years, from the pandemic and then the resumption of active lifestyles and hybrid work,” says Lisa Maas, principal and practice lead-innovation at Circana. “The latest Pacesetters align with consumers’ desires for new experiences and product formats, new levels of convenience, trusted solutions for baby and pet and products that deliver superior performance. Brands that lead with relevant innovation stand to not only boost sales, but also cultivate lasting customer loyalty.”
The Top 10 Food and Beverage
New Product Pacesetters for 2023 are:
1. Similac 360 Total Care
2. PRIME Hydration
4. OREO Frozen Desserts
5. Starbucks by Nespresso for Vertuo
6. GHOST Energy
7. Doritos/Cheetos/Sunchips Minis
8. Black Rifle Coffee
9. Electrolit
10. Kevin’s Natural Foods
Circana’s findings indicate that shifting daily routines have impacted every aspect of consumers’ lives, from how they practice self-care to the meals they prepare and the daily appliances they use. There has been an increase in slow cooker and casserole dish sales, likely due to their association with easy-meal preparation and cost savings. This reflects the ongoing demand for convenient solutions for complete meals or meal shortcuts.
Consumers are looking for ways to elevate the morning experience, as evidenced by Starbucks by Nespresso for Vertuo’s fifth-place ranking on the food and beverage Pacesetters list. Additionally, Nestlé collaborated with popular Kellogg’s brands to introduce Carnation Breakfast Essentials, Kellogg’s ready-to-drink breakfast meals, providing a quick breakfast option for consumers. The latter features dairy, and lots of it.
(Click on infographic to enlarge.)
The data show that co-branding and licensing, as seen in the Carnation-Kellogg’s offerings, leverage the trust and loyalty that established brands enjoy, opening doors for expansion beyond their core categories. For instance, OREO cookies and Little Debbie snack cakes have made their way into the frozen aisle, with OREO Frozen Desserts ranking number four on the food and beverage Pacesetters list, and Hudsonville Ice Cream’s Little Debbie flavors at number 18. Go dairy! Go dairy!
The report suggests that consumers increasingly sought functional benefits across the store in 2023. This demand for added value was likely driven by high inflation and a continued focus on well-being. The trend was particularly evident in the beverage sector, where products offering enhanced hydration, energy and nutritional benefits were prominent, even among traditional carbonated soft drinks.
And, you may not have heard, but the U.S. birth rate increased in 2021, particularly among women younger than 25, and first-time mothers. The report signals that this trend may have been fueled by increased work-from-home arrangements, giving people increased flexibility to start a family. The market has responded to this shift with a variety of baby products, including the number-one food and beverage Pacesetter, Similac 360 Total Care infant formula. This dairy-based formula, enriched with five “immune nourishing” prebiotics, is claimed by Abbott Laboratories to offer added advantages for brain development and digestive health. Top-ranking products for babies and young children likely reflect parents’ commitments to providing healthy starts for their children. Go dairy! Go dairy!
Who’s Innovating and How?
While Circana saw strong contributions from mid-sized companies last year, the 2023 Pacesetters showcase the influence of innovation from smaller companies. Manufacturers with sales under $500 million represent 59% of New Product Pacesetters by count, up from 41% in 2022. These smaller companies are also making a significant impact, accounting for 43% of New Product Pacesetter dollars (up from 18% in 2022). A common theme across leading companies last year was a keen focus on the consumer, with a commitment to meeting consumers’ needs with relevant product solutions, messaging, and pricing.
“In 2023, collaborations with well-known brands, compelling brand narratives and a dedication to product expansion helped drive brand awareness and increase sales,” says my friend Joan Driggs, vice president of content and thought leadership at Circana. “Products identified as Pacesetters contributed an 18% increase in total multi-outlet sales, compared to an 11% increase in 2022, highlighting the importance of innovation and strategic partnerships in achieving sustained growth and market success.”
You can access the full report HERE to see the other dairy brands who made the list and their rank.
Numerous frozen dairy brands made the top-200 list, including Blue Bunny, Godiva and Van Leeuwen. Creamer, cheese and yogurt brands are on the list, too. You will also find many innovations utilizing dairy ingredients, namely dairy proteins.
Congrats to all innovators! It’s Milk Time!
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