Let’s Be Thankful for Innovation

 

Thank you for all you do!

 Thank you to all the amazing people involved in food and beverage manufacturing. Farm to table, and everything in between, we are bringing delicious, nutritious foods to people around the world. While we all appreciate tried and true staples, new products keep life interesting. 

Congratulations to all innovators. Thank you and keep up the great work. 

According to the latest consumer trends research by Innova Market Insights, a striking 58% of consumers worldwide prioritize quality in ingredients and products when making food and beverage purchases.

 As the demand for added value becomes the new norm, brands must elevate quality beyond just ingredients to thrive in 2025. 

Here are 10 players who are already there.

Lifeway Foods, a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products that support the microbiome, added 10 new on-trend flavors to its on-the-go 8-ounce line of Organic Kefir. The entire line is lactose-free, as consumer demand for lactose-free dairy products is predicted to grow rapidly over the next five years. The kefirs are loaded with high-quality bioavailable nutrients, including protein, calcium and 12 live and active probiotic cultures. 

 

Many of these flavor fusion combinations have never been seen before in the cultured dairy category. They are: Coconut Pineapple, Grapefruit Elderflower, Guava Jackfruit, Hot Honey, Matcha Latte, Passionfruit Lychee, Pink Dragon Fruit, Pistachio Rose Vanilla, Taro Ube Latte and Wild Blueberry Lavender.

Chobani introduced Chobani Super Milk, a nutrient-rich milk made specifically for donation to people impacted by disasters as well as to help some of the most vulnerable in Chobani’s hometowns. With a nine-month shelf life and no need for refrigeration until opened, the 32-fluid-ounce package provides four servings per container. 

One serving contains 13 grams of protein (50% more protein than traditional milk), 7 grams of prebiotic fiber for digestive health, 9 grams of sugar (25% less sugar than traditional milk) 400 milligrams of calcium (25% more calcium than traditional milk) and is fortified with vitamins A and D. 

Chobani is producing an average of 145,000 pounds of Chobani Super Milk monthly to be deployed by the American Red Cross nationally in areas facing natural disasters and to local partners in central New York and southern Idaho communities.

 

 

 

Voyager Milk developed Toddler Milk to make sure littles have their preferred beverage of choice no matter where they are. It’s a single-serve sachet of a dry mix made with USDA organic-certified milk from California grass-fed cows. The mixes are fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

Kerry Dairy Consumer Foods, a division of Kerry Group’s dairy business Kerry Dairy Ireland, developed oat- and dairy-blended products under the brand name Smug. Products includes milk, cheese and butter, which are described as combining “the goodness of dairy and plants.” Through the addition of plant-based ingredients, saturated fat content is lowered. The dairy provides high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

SPYLT is a  line of better-for-you (high protein and low sugar) dairy-based energy drinks. The 11-ounce shelf-stable canned line rolled out in 2022 with two varieties of caffeinated chocolate milk. Light Mode has 60 milligrams of caffeine and Dark Mode has 140 milligrams. This year the company added two new varieties: strawberry and vanilla. The product had a very strong and active presence at NACS, the expo for the convenience channel. It has special appeal to the growing e-sport consumer who is looking for convenient energy and nutrition.

 

General Mills is selling off its North American yogurt business, but it’s not leaving the category. It is strategically utilizing dried nonfat Greek yogurt made with whey protein concentrate and nonfat milk to offer perishable “yogurt-style” snacks. (The heat processing to dry the yogurt kills off the fermenting cultures.) Milk powder is also part of the formulation. 

 

Nature Valley YoBark comes in Honey Vanilla and Strawberry flavors in 5-ounce recloseable, shareable bags. One serving (1 ounce) contains 150 calories, 8 grams of sugar (of which 6 grams are added sugars), 5 grams of protein, and is an excellent source of calcium and a good source of vitamins A and D.

Soft, squishy Yo-Bites are made with similar ingredients. They come in two varieties: PAW Patrol Strawberry and SpongeBob Mixed Berry. One serving—about 1 ounce—is equivalent to 12 pieces. One serving contains 80 calories, no fat, 11 grams of total sugars, of which 8 grams is added sugars, and 4 grams of protein. A serving is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

Brainiac Foods introduced the Neuro+ line, which offers the most advanced brain nutrition in the baby food category with the addition of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a nutrient found in breast milk and proven to support baby’s brain development and immune system. Made with full-fat dairy, the 3.5-ounce perishable pouches come Carrot Blueberry and Strawberry Banana flavors. 

 

REBBL introduced Smoothie Starter, a category-defining multi-serve concept created for convenience and functional nourishment. The vegan product is designed to transform morning rituals, offering consumers an organic and convenient base to create nutrient-dense smoothies in seconds without the mess. With just the simple additions of ice, fruit or greens, users can quickly and seamlessly blend up a protein-packed and gut health-supporting smoothie to fuel their day.

 

Offered in coconut milk and oat milk liquid base varieties, Smoothie Starter delivers 20 grams of plant-rich protein to kickstart the day and features amplified benefits through postbiotics to support gut health. The product is also fortified with 20% of the Daily Value of zinc for immunity support. 

 

Smearcase introduced FroCo, the first-of-its kind frozen dairy dessert made with cottage cheese as its base ingredient. The product comes in 5-ounce single-serve containers and 14-ounce multi-serve pints in three varieties: Mocha Joe, Peanut Butter and Vanilla Bean. It is enhanced with collagen and is marketed as having half the fat and seven-times the protein of regular ice cream.

 

Enlightened introduced Frozen Yogurt Bark. The snackable take on traditional frozen yogurt comes in three varieties. Banana Peanut Butter is a Greek yogurt and dark chocolate base, filled with peanut butter and topped with freshly frozen banana pieces. Pineapple Coconut is a Greek yogurt and white chocolate base, topped with fresh pineapple and sprinkled with shredded coconut. Triple Berry is a Greek yogurt and white chocolate base, topped with freshly frozen strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. One serving contains 4 grams of protein and 110 calories or less.

Happy Holiday Season!