Yogurt Products and Fermented Drinks 2012

Yogurt Products and Fermented Drinks 2012 - 2017

	REDUCED-SUGAR PROTEIN YOGURTS FOR SWISS MARKET (posted December 28, 2017) Emmi introduces lower-sugar YoQua. With 50% less added granulated sugar, 8 grams of protein and 0.1 % fat, Emmi claims the fruity yogurts are “the first of their kind on the Swiss market.” The dairy brand said it is targeting consumers who would normally choose plain yogurts over fruit flavors because of reduced sugar. The new range comes in Strawberry and Forest Fruits varieties. “We regularly ask consumers for their opinions, and the demand for reduced-sugar foods has risen sharply in recent years,” says Thomas Heller, head of marketing at Emmi Switzerland. “We are happy to respond to this type of trend, and with the new YoQua varieties, we are offering conscientious consumers a balanced alternative.” The Strawberry flavor contains 12% strawberries, sugar, modified starches, beetroot juice concentrate, flavoring and lemon juice. Forest Fruit consists of 12% berries (4% blackberries, 4% raspberries and 4% blueberries), sugar, modified starches and flavorings. For more information, link HERE.

	GIRL SCOUT COOKIE YOGURT (posted December 19, 2017) General Mills grows its Yoplait yogurt line with first-of-its-kind flavors. Beginning this month, Girl Scout Cookie fans can enjoy Yoplait yogurt with new flavors inspired by their favorite cookies. Flavors include: Yoplait Whips! Girl Scouts Thin Mints, Yoplait Whips! Girl Scouts Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Yoplait Original Girl Scouts Caramel Coconut. The new line is a permanent, year-round addition to Yoplait’s portfolio. “For those who wish they had more ways to enjoy their favorite chocolate mint, peanut butter chocolate and caramel coconut flavors, we have three delicious, new yogurts inspired by America’s most popular Girl Scout Cookie flavors,” says Doug Martin, business unit director-Yoplait. “Girl Scouts of the USA does extraordinary things for girls like teaching them valuable life and business skills through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is why we are honored to work with the organization.” The new flavors do not contain high fructose corn syrup, are made with live and active cultures and are gluten free. The Yoplait Whips! varieties come 4-ounce cups, while the Yoplait Original is in 6-ounce cups. For more information, link HERE.

	REGIONAL YOGURT, WITH A HINT OF... (posted December 4, 2017) Chobani unveils a major brand evolution in celebration of its 10th anniversary to commemorate its national distribution in 2008. This includes a new product line rolling out this month called Chobani with a Hint Of. This is simply crafted, blended Greek yogurt made with only natural ingredients, hand-selected varietal real fruits and spices for delicious flavor with less sweetness. Priced at $1.49 per 5.3-ounce cup, A Hint Of will be available first in Pacific, Northeast and Florida markets, and expand to national distribution in July 2018. A Hint Of provides Chobani fans with a new option with only natural sweeteners (9 grams of sugar) and high protein (12 grams), and a mildly sweet taste in five curated flavors. They are: Alphonso Mango, Gili Cherry, Madagascar Vanilla Cinnamon, Monterey Strawberry and Wild Blueberry. The new product line coincides with a major brand makeover to help the company expand its vision and mission towards “universal wellness.” Chobani’s vision of universal wellness builds on the company’s founding mission to provide better food for more people. The company plans to invest in: nutritional wellness to provide better food for more people; social wellness to increase investment in the communities it serves and the people who craft Chobani foods; and environmental wellness to build a supply chain that ensures the planet’s health. To bring this vision to life for consumers, Chobani is launching an evolution of the brand’s creative expression—Fighting for Happily Ever After—which is shaping everything from the brand’s packaging, website and campaigns to its cafés and more. Chobani’s in-house creative team spent more than a year developing the evolved brand look and feel. This evolution differentiates the brand at shelf and reflects the values of the company. For more information, link HERE.

	DRINKABLE PROBIOTIC GREEK YOGURTS (posted November 22, 2017) Johanna Foods introduces a Greek Smoothie line with redesigned branding and graphics. The drinkable product comes in five varieties—Blueberry, Chocolate, Mango, Mixed Berry and Peach—in single-serve 12-ounce and multi-serve 32-ounce plastic bottles. Labels describe the beverage as containing probiotics that support immunity and digestive health. They are made with 2% cultured milk, non-GMO ingredients, and no artificial colors or flavors. A 12-ounce serving provides 18 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND FUNCTIONAL YOGURT-TYPE PRODUCT (posted November 6, 2017) MOPRO Nutrition introduces “more than yogurt.” This cultured dairy product, which is making its debut in a vanilla flavor, is made with only six ingredients. They are: whole milk, whey protein isolate, soy lecithin, organic blue agave syrup, vanilla extract, and live and active cultures, including probiotics. A 5.3-ounce cup contains 24 grams of total protein. The majority (13 grams) of this comes from cross-flow microfiltration (CFM) whey protein isolate. The other 11 grams is inherent to the yogurt. CFM is a proprietary membrane technique used to yield a highly pure, nutritionally superior and undenatured whey protein isolate. Each container also has 3 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are essential nutrients that the body obtains from proteins found in food, especially meat, dairy products and legumes. They include leucine, isoleucine and valine. “Branched-chain” refers to the chemical structure of these amino acids. There is research that indicates BCAAs promote muscle synthesis and increase muscle growth over time as well as help with fatigue from athletic training. A container has 250 calories, 13 grams of fat and 4 grams of sugar, of which 1 gram is classified as added sugar. All of the ingredients in this gluten-free product are non-GMO. For more information, link HERE.

	To read about this product, link HERE to the October 27, 2017, blog titled "Include Transparency in your Clean-Label Efforts."

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	To read more about this product, link HERE for the October 13, 2017, blog titled: Anuga 2017-Cultured Dairy Trends.

	WHOLE MILK YOGURT WITH PREMIUM CHOCOLATE (posted October 9, 2017) From Greece, Mevgal’s new gourmet authentic Greek yogurt line receives accolades at Anuga. Specifically, the Mint with Dark Chocolate variety was awarded official “Anuga taste Innovation Show” recognition. This is one of three offerings in the new gourmet line (165 gram containers) marketed at guilt-free indulgence. The Mint with Dark Chocolate is creamy mint-flavored whole milk strained Greek yogurt with a dome of dark chocolate chips. The other two flavors are: Orange with Dark Chocolate, and Raspberry with Dark Chocolate and Raspberries. For more information, link HERE.

	ORGANIC WHOLE MILK KEFIR (posted September 26, 2017) Springfield Creamery grows its line of Nancy’s cultured dairy products. New Nancy’s Probiotic Whole Milk Kefir contains 11 strains of live probiotics, including clinically documented strains, delivered at therapeutic levels to help support immune and digestive health. Springfield Creamery first added live, beneficial probiotics to yogurt nearly 50 years ago. Both the Organic Lowfat and the new Organic Whole Milk Kefir varieties contain 50+ billion CFU’s (colony forming units) of live beneficial probiotics per serving at the time of expiration. Nancy’s Organic Probiotic Whole Milk Kefir comes in in four flavors. They are: Blueberry, Ginger Peach, Plain and Vanilla. “We always put health first. That’s why we carefully select a broad range of documented probiotic strains,” says Sheryl Kesey Thompson, co-owner and vice president of marketing. “Many hospitals and physicians use Nancy’s yogurts and kefirs as the probiotic source for their patients. With whole dairy making a comeback, and, with so many of our customers and retailers wanting whole milk options, the introduction of our Organic Whole Milk Kefirs was a natural.” The kefir is made with local organic, milk from pasture-raised cows on Oregon farms. The new line is made with simple ingredients and contains no pectin, gelatins, thickeners, cane sugar or gluten. All flavors are lightly sweetened with organic agave nectar. The kefir comes in 32-ounce resealable gable-top cartons and has a suggested retail price of $5.49. For more information, link HERE.

	GLOBALLY INSPIRED DUAL-COMPARTMENT YOGURT (posted September 21, 2017) Müller introduces the World Edition line of yogurts. New Müller Yoghurt with the corner takes consumers on a journey to discover and enjoy exotic and fashionable taste combinations from around the word. There are five varieties. They are: Bora Bora: This tropical delight combines aromatic, sweet pineapple coconut preparation with exotic coconut yogurt. New York: This Big Apple treat combines vanilla cream yogurt with chocolate-coated biscuit balls. Rom: This vanilla yogurt comes with a side of intensely flavored butter biscuits covered with coffee and chocolate. Tokyo: This almond flavored yogurt comes with a side of aromatic cherry preparation. Venezia: This Italian coffee house yogurt combines delicate, pistachio yogurt with extra crispy mini-amarettini. For more information, link HERE.

	NO-SUGAR-ADDED HIGH-PROTEIN YOGURT (posted September 13, 2017) Murray Goulburn Co-op introduces Danone YoPRO to Australian market. Flavored YoPRO contains 15 grams of protein (plain has 17 grams) and less than 0.5% fat per 160-gram single-serve cup. This strained yogurt is made locally in the Kiewa Valley, Victoria, with all milk sourced from Aussie cows. YoPRO contains no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. The sugar in YoPRO comes from the natural milk sugar (lactose) and the fruit (fructose). It is slightly sweetened with stevia. In addition to plain, YoPRO comes in five flavors. They are: Blueberry, Mango, Passionfruit, Strawberry and Vanilla. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the September 8, 2017, blog titled "Deconstructing and Rebuilding Yogurt."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the September 8, 2017, blog titled "Deconstructing and Rebuilding Yogurt."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the September 8, 2017, blog titled "Deconstructing and Rebuilding Yogurt."

	CREAM-ON-TOP SPECIALTY YOGURT MARKETED AS A “REAL TREAT” (posted September 6, 2017) Stonyfield Farm introduces Brown Cow Specialties. This line of non-homogenized whole milk yogurts has the cream rise to the top for a layer of decadence. Sweetened with cane sugar and real maple syrup, these decadent offerings are a wholesome indulgence. They are Non-GMO Project Verified and made without the use of artificial growth hormones, artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners. The line makes its debut in three varieties. They are: Café Mocha, Marbled Chocolate Raspberry and Vanilla Salted Caramel. The yogurts come in 5-ounce single-serving cups containing 140 to 150 calories, 5 grams of fat, 18 to 21 grams of sugar and 4 to 5 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the September 1, 2017, blog titled: Yogurt Trends--Clearly Communicating Fruit Content.

	SIDE-BY-SIDE YOGURTS DESIGNED FOR BREAKFAST DAYPART (posted August 31, 2017) Chobani introduces breakfast-flavored Flip yogurts, along with some other new flavors. The three new breakfast-inspired flavors are: Blueberry B-Fast, which is blueberry nonfat yogurt with pastry pieces, cinnamon crunch, spiced walnuts and crunchy sugar bits Mixed Berry Morning, which is mixed berry nonfat yogurt with ancient grain clusters, cranberries and honey roasted salted almonds Sunrisin’ Raisin, which is raisin brown sugar nonfat yogurt with bran flakes, walnuts and honey praline pumpkin seeds Other new Flip varieties are: Mint Chocolate Chip, which is mint low-fat yogurt with dark chocolate, chocolate cookies and coated rice crisps Perfect Peach Cobbler, which is peach low-fat yogurt with oatmeal pastry pieces and frosted cinnamon crunch Limited-Batch Pumpkin Harvest Crisp, which is pumpkin low-fat yogurt with pie crust pieces, glazed pumpkin seeds and pecans For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the August 25, 2017 blog titled Milk and Dairy Beverage Flavor Trends.

	QUARK AND YOGURT COMBO POUCHES FOR ADULTS (posted August 22, 2017) The Collective in the U.K. rolls out Pro-yo. Pro-yo is a blend of 45% quark and 36% yogurt, along with real fruit. The 125-gram pouches come in three varieties. They are: Berries, Coconut and Strawberry. The only sweetness comes from the natural sugars in milk and fruit, and in the coconut variety, a touch of honey. The high-protein portable snacks contain no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. Each 14-gram pouch is touted as having more protein than two eggs and less sugar than an apple. For more information, link HERE.

	NEW SIDE-BY-SIDE LOW-FAT YOGURT WITH INCLUSIONS (posted August 9, 2017) General Mills introduces Yoplait Mix-Ins. The new line is a first inclusions-style yogurt for the brand. There are six varieties. They are: Cherry Chocolate Almond: black cherry-flavored low-fat yogurt with chocolate chunks and roasted almonds Coconut Chocolate Almond: coconut-flavored low-fat yogurt with chocolate chunks, caramel crunch and roasted almonds Key Lime Crunch: key lime-flavored low-fat yogurt with graham crackers and white chocolate chips Mint Chocolate Delight: mint-flavored low-fat yogurt with chocolate cookie pieces and white chocolate chips Salted Caramel Pretzel: caramel-flavored low-fat yogurt with pretzel pieces, caramel crunch and roasted almonds Very Berry Crisp: blackberry-flavored low-fat yogurt with cinnamon crunch, pie crust pieces and oat clusters For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the August 4, 2017, blog titled "Gen Z Knows Protein."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the August 4, 2017, blog titled "Gen Z Knows Protein."

	DIGESTIVE HEALTH YOGURT IN NEW LACTOSE FREE VARIETY (posted July 25, 2017) DanoneWave introduces Dannon Activia Lactose Free. Yogurt is a suitable food for most people, including many with mild cases of lactose intolerance. This is because the microorganisms that ferment milk into yogurt also break down most of the lactose into sugars that are easy on the tummy. For those consumers who prefer to avoid all lactose in their diets, DanoneWave is launching a lactose-free version of its Activia Yogurts. New Activia Lactose Free Yogurts provide the same great benefits as other Activia products, as well as the same great taste. All Activia yogurts may help reduce the frequency of minor digestive discomfort when consumed twice a day for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Minor digestive discomfort includes bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort and rumbling. Activia Lactose Free Yogurts are not specifically designed to address the customary symptoms associated with ingesting dairy products by lactose-intolerant individuals. Additionally, Activia Lactose Free Yogurts are not intended to help lactose-intolerant individuals tolerate other lactose containing products, such as milk. The new line comes in Black Cherry, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla varieties. For more information, link HERE.

	ZERO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER “LIGHT” YOGURT (posted July 20, 2017) Dannon grows its Light & Fit brand. New Greek and regular nonfat yogurts come in 5.3-ounce cups. Greek Light & Fit with Zero Artificial Sweeteners is sold in single containers, with each providing 90 calories, 13 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. Available in six varieties—Black Cherry, Coconut Cream, Mixed Berry, Peach Mango, Strawberry and Vanilla—the yogurt relies on chicory root fiber and stevia leaf extract to make its claims. Regular Light & Fit with Zero Artificial Sweeteners is sold in four packs, with each container providing 80 calories and 5 grams of protein. Available in four varieties—Blueberry, Lemon Cream, Strawberry and Vanilla—the yogurt is sweetened with stevia leaf extract. For more information, link HERE.

	CRAFT SWISS-STYLE YOGURT (posted July 10, 2017) Yodelay Yogurt introduces line of “made in Wisconsin” artisan Swiss-style yogurts. Although Swiss-style yogurt does not have a legal definition, Markus Candinas, the company’s founder, describes it as a lighter, creamier yogurt with a slightly tart flavor from the authentic Swiss cultures. Candinas is a Swiss-American who was raised in Madison, Wis., and left before his junior year of high school to become an Apprentice Confisseur in Interlaken, Switzerland. Upon returning to the U.S., he put his skills to work creating gourmet chocolates and within a few short years Candinas Chocolatier was recognized as one of the world’s best. Recently he applied those skills to develop a Swiss-style yogurt that mimics what is found in Switzerland. He also made it a point to create a clean-label product with milk sourced from a local Wisconsin family farm. Although there were many options for his milk, Candinas sources milk from Voegeli Farms, a family-owned Brown Swiss dairy farm just 30 minutes from the Yodelay Yogurt plant. Candinas worked with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to commercialize the product. The CDR serves as a resource for dairy foods companies looking to bring innovative, nutritious and profitable products to the global marketplace. It offers clients access to a pilot plant and technical experts who are able to assist with product development and troubleshooting. With systems in place, Yodelay launched in April 2017 in seven reduced-fat flavors. They are: Blueberry, Peach-Raspberry, Pineapple, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Strawberry and Tart Cherry. “We’ve been doing in-store tastings and it’s so great to see that people like it,” says Candinas. “There’s always an element of self-doubt with something new like this. Yes, there’s an entire country that enjoys this style of yogurt, but I didn’t know if Americans would accept it. It’s not your usual yogurt, but the response has been amazingly great. I just can’t help but feel like we’re on to something here.” For more information, link HERE.

	SIMPLE, CLASSIC YOGURT (posted July 5, 2017) Chobani introduces Chobani Smooth, the company’s first foray into non-Greek, classic yogurt. “As a food maker, it’s important to me that we’re giving families across America better options that are delicious and accessible,” says Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO. “With Chobani Smooth, we’re bringing craftmanship back to traditional yogurt with a product that has less sugar and more protein than most of the options out there and no artificial sweeteners or flavors. This is what Chobani has stood for since day one, and now we’re giving people a delicious, natural option in another section of the dairy aisle.” Chobani Smooth is low-fat (1 to 1.5% fat) classic yogurt with 25% less sugar and twice the protein of other traditional yogurts. It is made by lightly straining the yogurt to keep the protein that’s naturally found in milk—using a unique blend of live and active cultures and probiotics—without the tart taste and thicker texture typically found in strained yogurts. The yogurt is then blended with natural ingredients and real fruit or vanilla, depending on the flavor. Like all of Chobani’s products, Chobani Smooth is made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients, real fruit, live and active cultures, and fresh milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. It comes in five flavors. They are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla. The yogurt comes in packs of two 5.3 ounce cups and has a suggested retail price of $1.79. For more information, link HERE.

	DOME-CUP AUSSIE-STYLE YOGURT (posted June 27, 2017) Noosa introduces Noosa Mates, a new line of yogurt that comes with a cup of premium inclusions for mixing in. The product is designed to extend the brand beyond the morning daypart, positioning the indulgent 5.5-ounce cups as a snack or even dessert. There are five varieties. They are: Banana Chocolate Peanut: banana whole milk yogurt topped with crunchy banana chips, Guittard chocolate chips and salted peanuts (270 calories, 13 grams of fat, 9 gram of protein 24 grams of sugar) Coconut Almond Chocolate: coconut whole milk yogurt topped with toasted coconut, almond slivers and Guittard chocolate chips (270 calories, 15 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, 28 grams of sugar) Honey Cranberry Almond: honey whole milk yogurt topped with granola, cranberries, roasted almonds and pepitas (250 calories, 11 grams of fat, 10 gram of protein, 21 grams of sugar) Honey Pretzel Peanut: honey whole milk yogurt topped with salted pretzels, honey roasted peanuts and Guittard chocolate chips (250 calories, 12 grams of fat, 10 gram of protein, 20 grams of sugar) Maple Ginger: whole milk yogurt sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup and topped with hearty granola, candied ginger and gingersnap crumbles (240 calorie, 9 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, 24 grams of sugar) For more information, link HERE.

	FRENCH-INSPIRED YOGURT (posted June 19, 2017) General Mills introduces oui by Yoplait. The new premium yogurts are described as “Inspired by Our Traditional French Recipe.” Sold in 5-ounce glass jars with peel-back foil seal, the premium yogurts come in eight flavors. They are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Coconut, Lemon, Peach, Plain, Strawberry and Vanilla. The whole milk yogurts feature a simple recipe that is slightly sweetened with cane sugar. Each serving is individually cultured in the same glass pot you eat it from using a traditional pot set process. Oui by Yoplait is an artisanal yogurt made by pouring ingredients into individual glass pots that set after eight hours creating a unique and delicious texture. It is designed to be spoon cut slowly, not stirred, in order to preserve its satisfyingly thick, subtly sweet and fresh taste. Labels boast: Non-GMO. Plain contains 130 calories, 8 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. The others contain 160-170 calories and 7-8 grams of fat, depending on variety, along with 15 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. “We wanted to bring something special to our U.S. consumers--something we have been enjoying during visits with our French colleagues for many years, but hard to replicate in large quantities here in the U.S.,” says David Clark, president of U.S. Yogurt at General Mills. “Oui by Yoplait introduces an entirely new category of yogurt to the U.S. using a recipe that has been enjoyed for decades in France.” Oui by Yoplait will be available in major grocery and retail stores nationwide beginning in July. The suggested retail price for all flavors is $1.49. The strawberry and vanilla flavors are also available in four-count packages at a suggested retail price of $4.78.

	HIGHER MILKFAT YOGURT PRODUCTS (posted June 14, 2017) Stonyfield grows its premium, high-milkfat cultured dairy line. Following successful 2016 launches of Whole Milk Greek Yogurt and Whole Milk Grass-fed Yogurt, Stonyfield introduces new Whole Milk Drinkables and Double Cream Yogurt. The company sees tremendous growth opportunity in the whole milk category as more consumers embrace full-fat dairy. As with all Stonyfield products, the Whole Milk Drinkables and Double Cream Yogurt are made with USDA Organic milk. Whole Milk Drinkables are an on-the-go protein snack. Each 6-ounce plastic bottle contains 6 grams of protein. Flavors are: Peach and Strawberry. Four packs retail for about $4.99. Double Cream Yogurt is a good source of protein and an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D. It comes in 31-ounce tubs in a plain variant and is designed for cooking. A one-cup serving contains 210 calories, 15 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. The suggested retail price is $4.99. For more information, link HERE.

	PROTEIN POUCHES AND PROTEIN GREENS (posted May 10, 2017) Arla Foods introduces new protein-enhanced yogurt products. As protein continues to reign king with consumers, Arla Foods, a farmer-owned European dairy company, continues to innovate by extending its popular Arla Protein range with the launch of new products: Arla Protein Pouches and Arla Protein Greens. The new Arla Protein Pouches see Arla tapping into the on-the-go market with 200 gram pouches of yogurt based snack, designed to be consumed while on the move. Designed to rival popular formats such as protein shakes, Arla Protein Pouches offer a convenient nutrient-dense snack with 20 grams of protein per serving in two flavors: Mango and Strawberry. Arla Protein Greens sees the brand launch a Mango Kale and Lime flavor variant into the core range. The Arla yogurt category more than doubled year on year in 2016 (+116%) resulting from the success of Arla skyr and Arla Protein. Arla has ambitious plans to continue this growth into 2017 and beyond with strong above the line plans and a £2m marketing spend. For more information, link HERE.

	BLENDED WHOLE MILK ORGANIC GREEK YOGURT (posted May 2, 2017) Clover Sonoma enters whole milk Greek yogurt segment. The organic whole milk yogurt segment continues to grow, and Clover Sonoma is now a player. As a proven leader in Northern California in the organic nonfat Greek yogurt segment, the company is well positioned to play in the whole milk arena. The new blended yogurts come in 5.3-ounce cups. There’s Plain, as well as four flavors. They are: Blueberry, Honey, Raspberry and Vanilla Bean. The yogurt is made from Northern California-sourced organic milk. It is produced using an authentic strain process in small batches. The yogurts have a refrigerated shelflife of 50 days. For more information, link HERE.

	GREEK YOGURT WITH EXTRAS (posted April 27, 2017) Canada’s Skotidakis rolls out Greek yogurt with oats and seeds. Each 5.3-ounce cup of 2% milk Greek yogurt includes overnight oats and chia seeds. A single-serve cup contains 190 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 11 grams of protein, 15 grams of sugar and 4 grams of fiber. The oats and seeds contribute fat, protein and fiber. Inulin contributes fiber and assists with keeping the sugar content of the fruit preparation down. There are three flavors--Black Cherry, Mango and Peach—and the product is currently sold in 12-count club store packs. . For more information, link HERE.

	MILKFAT-FREE COCONUT CREME YOGURT (posted April 18, 2017) Saga Dairy adds Coconut Crème to its Viking grass-fed Icelandic yogurt line. The Viking brand was first reported as a Daily Dose of Dairy in July 2015. You can read more HERE. The company is now debuting Viking Coconut Crème, which is made with grass-fed skim milk, coconut cream and shredded coconut. The 0% milkfat product contains 1.5 grams of fat from the coconut. A 6-ounce cup also contains 140 calories, 13 grams of sugar and 17 grams of protein. “This flavor is unique and innovative as it has fat, but the fat is plant based and heart healthy,” says Therese Meers, co-founder and CEO, Saga Dairy Inc. “Our Viking Coconut Crème has both coconut bits and the cream of the coconut in it for an even richer taste, but without the milk fat.” Recently the brand launched nationally with Sprouts. For more information, link HERE.

	READY-TO-DRINK SMOOTHIES DESIGNED FOR THE MORNING DAYPART Rokeby Farms introduces Whole Protein Breakfast Smoothie, Australia’s first high-protein beverage made with farm-fresh milk. Based on filtered low-fat and whole milk, each 425-milliliter single-serve bottle contains about 300 calories and 30 grams of complete “whole” protein, which the company explains is protein containing all nine essential amino acids. A bottle also contains 5 to 6 grams of fat and 26 to 29 grams of sugar, depending on the flavor, of which there are four. They are: Banana with Honey and Cinnamon, Dutch Chocolate, Iced Coffee and Salted Caramel. The product contains the lactase enzyme and makes a low-lactose claim. For more information, link HERE.

	INDIAN-STYLE SPICED YOGHURT DRINK (posted April 5, 2017) Pure Harmony Foods debuted Chaasi at Expo West. Made with organic low-fat yogurt, organic coconut milk, vibrant Indian spices and probiotics, the drinks will hit the marketplace this summer. Varieties are: Banana Turmeric, Blueberry Cinnamon Rose, Cashew Spiced Chai and Coconut Honey Ginger. The refrigerated yogurt drinks comes in 16-ounce plastic bottles, which is two servings. A single serving contains 180 to 230 calories, 4.5 to 14 grams of fat, 11 to 24 grams of sugar and 7 to 11 grams of protein, depending on variety. For more information, link HERE.

	HIGH-PROTEIN YOGURT POUCH FOR KIDS (posted March 27, 2017) Shaken Udder introduces YogOaty. The U.K.’s premium milkshake brand Shaken Udder is entering the yogurt pouch business with YogOaty, a healthy range of kids’ pouches made with 100% natural ingredients, including British yogurt, real fruit and wholesome oats. Packed with protein, slow-release energy oats and with no added sugar, YogOaty is perfect as a wholesome breakfast, on-the-go snack or lunchbox addition for kids of all ages. New YogOaty comes in three flavors. They are: Awesome Apricot & Vanilla, Mega Mango & Peach and Smashing Strawberry & Banana. YogOaty comes in single-serve 70 gram pouches for merchandising in the chilled case. “We’ve invested heavily in creating a product that’s not only totally natural and nutritious, but that doesn’t compromise on delivering superior taste,” says Andrew Howie, co-founder of Shaken Udder. “The result is a delicious, wholesome product that can easily be enjoyed on-the-go. YogOaty will appeal to those parents looking for tasty and nourishing healthy alternatives for their kids” For more information, link HERE.

	Link HERE to read more about this product in the March 17, 2017, blog titled "Natural Products Expo West was all about clean-label dairy foods."

	Link HERE to read more about this product in the March 17, 2017, blog titled "Natural Products Expo West was all about clean-label dairy foods."

	Link HERE to read more about this product in the March 17, 2017, blog titled "Natural Products Expo West was all about clean-label dairy foods."

	Link HERE to read more about this product in the March 17, 2017, blog titled "Natural Products Expo West was all about clean-label dairy foods."

	WHOLE MILK INDULGENT GREEK-STYLE YOGURT (posted March 15, 2017) The Hain Celestial Group debuts The Greek Gods Seriously Indulgent Yogurt. This is one of 75 new products that the company rolled out at Natural Products Expo West. The Greek Gods Seriously Indulgent Yogurt is a line of whole milk plus cream Greek-style yogurts inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Greece. The 5.3-ounce cups come in four fruit-on the-bottom varieties. They are: Lemon, Marionberry, Raspberry Ginger and Tart Cherry. Loaded with live and active cultures, the yogurts are due to hit the market in May 2017. The company is also adding a Maple variety to its 24-ounce Greek Gods Greek-Style Yogurt line.

	FIRST ALOE YOGURT DEBUTS IN U.S. (posted March 9, 2017) Morinaga Nutritional Foods introduces Alove. Alove is a kosher-certified yogurt snack that contains aloe, which is made via Morinaga’s proprietary process of removing fresh aloe from aloe plant leaves, the best and tastiest parts. This then gets mixed into creamy yogurt. The product is made in the U.S. using locally sourced California milk. The product does not contain high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or gluten. A good source of protein and calcium, Alove comes in Blueberry, Original Aloe and Strawberry flavors. It is described as a thinner yogurt compared to conventional and Greek. A 6-ounce cup contains 170 calories, 4 grams of fat, 18 grams of sugar (15 are added added sugars) and 6 grams of protein. The product gets a protein boost from whey protein isolate. Morinaga Nutritional Foods is the U.S. arm of Japanese dairy giant Morinaga, which has been successfully selling aloe yogurt in Japan for years. Consuming aloe is associated with internal healing, cleansing and repair. Some studies show an association with boosting immunity and heart health. For more information, link HERE.

	PROBIOTIC DRINKABLE YOGURT CONTAINS A FULL SERVING OF VEGETABLES (posted March 6, 2017) Dreaming Cow Creamery, the maker of grass-fed and 100% pasture-raised cream-top yogurt, is introducing a new line of products. LUSH is a nutrient-dense yogurt drink made from the same milk used for its yogurts and combined with fruits, one full serving of vegetables and more than 20 billion probiotics (Bifidobacterium-12), which have been clinically shown to promote immunity and digestive health. LUSH is a full-fat yogurt drink that contains antioxidants, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, potassium and B vitamins. It comes in a square-round 12-ounce plastic bottle designed for merchandising in either the refrigerated produce section or the yogurt aisle. The four varieties are: Blueberry, Boysenberry, Purple Carrot & Beet Lemon, Passionfruit, Carrot & Pumpkin Peach, Ginger, Pumpkin & Carrot Strawberry, Raspberry, Purple Carrot & Beet A single bottle contains 230 to 250 calories, 9 to 11 grams of fat, 11 to 13 grams of protein and 15 to 23 grams of sugar, depending on variety. LUSH is made with only natural ingredients, without any preservatives or stabilizers. “We spent some time over the past few years in research and development to define and create a product that aligns with the tastes and attitudes of today’s health-conscious consumers. We found that most Americans are not getting enough fruit and vegetables a day, but they are more thoughtful than ever before about what they’re putting into their bodies. Flavor and convenience seem to be the biggest obstacles. Seeing a major void in the market, our vision and purpose behind LUSH is to bring a convenient and delicious ‘wellness on-the-go’ yogurt drink with noticeable nutritional increases that everyone can enjoy anytime,” says Kyle Wehner, co-founder and CEO. “It’s like a Farmer’s Market in a bottle.” Dreaming Cow is the only national yogurt brand that exclusively sources its whole milk from its own family dairy farms, which have been focused on the humane treatment of cows and sustainable farming since 1993. Dreaming Cow’s cows are not treated with artificial growth hormones. Dreaming Cow is also the only national yogurt brand that has cows intensively graze fresh grass every day of the year creating a higher quality and healthier yogurt, according to the company. “As Millennials become a bigger buying segment in the marketplace, they are demanding better nutrition from the foods they eat. They are driving companies to be more innovative and are challenging the status quo in nearly every category throughout the grocery store,” says Jason Therrien, national account director. “They also want to see complete transparency of how the food they eat is made, and who makes it. We strive for transparency by communicating our commitment to the humane treatment of cows and sustainable farming through our packaging, website and social media platforms, including impromptu live Facebook videos from the farm with Kyle Wehner, our CEO.” Lush will be available at stores nationwide this summer. For more information, link HERE.

	VEGETABLE YOGURT FOR THE U.K. MARKET (posted March 1, 2017) Waitrose introduces private-label yogurt made with fruits, veggies and botanicals. The versatility of vegetables continues to be a hot topic as products including juices and even desserts have undergone a veggie makeover, according to Waitrose. This was the driver behind the retailer’s four new yogurt flavors, which include avocado, beetroot, butternut squash or carrot. Another driver was sugar reduction. The retailer’s new yogurts contain significantly less sugar than the fruit-only yogurts. Sold in 125-gram pots, the four varieties are: Apple, Carrot, Beetroot and Ginger Yogurt, with 101 calories, 3 grams of fat and 12.3 grams of sugar Carrot, Mango and Guarana Yogurt, with 101 calories, 3 grams of fat and 11.3 grams of sugar Kiwi, Avocado and Matcha Tea Yogurt, with 114 calories, 4.3 grams of fat and 11.9 grams of sugar Pineapple, Butternut Squash and Turmeric Yogurt, with 98 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 11.4 grams of sugar “Ingredients such as butternut squash and beetroot are not normally found in the yogurt aisle so we can’t wait to hear what our customers think,” says Melissa Spiro, Waitrose spokesperson. “Our aim when developing these yogurts was to use popular vegetables that are naturally beneficial to everyday health and wellbeing. Vegetable-based smoothies are now mainstream and we anticipate the trend for this type of yogurt to follow suit.”

	SIDE-BY-SIDE WHOLE MILK GREEK YOGURT (posted February 23, 2017) Chobani grows its recently introduced Flip Pure Whole Milk Greek yogurt line. In November, the company debuted the line with Blueberry, Cherry, Pear & Honey, and Raspberry. It’s now adding Pineapple and Strawberry to the lineup. The side-by-side 5.3-ounce containers have whole milk Greek yogurt in one compartment and lightly sweetened fruit in the other. Each pack contains 140 calories, 5 grams of fat, 12 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein. Like with all Chobani products, the new line is made with only non-GMO ingredients. For more information, link HERE.

	HOW HIGH IN FAT CAN YOGURT GO? (posted February 13, 2017) siggi’s introduces Triple Cream. This new line of decadent Icelandic-style strained yogurt comes in 4-ounce single-serve cups. Varieties are Lemon, Raspberry and Vanilla. The 9% milkfat yogurt—yes, close to ice cream—contains 170 calories, 10 grams of fat, a mere 8 grams of sugar and 9 grams of protein per serving. Ingredients are very simple. They are: pasteurized whole milk, pasteurized cream, cane sugar, fruit pectin, live active cultures, and either fruit or Madagascar bourbon vanilla. For more information, link HERE.

	NEW EXTRA-CREAMY REFRIGERATED YOGURTS (posted February 8, 2017) Tillamook rolls out new whole milk yogurt line and revamps low-fat yogurt line. Tillamook County Creamery Association, the 108-year-old farmer-owned cooperative from Oregon, introduces Farmstyle Whole Milk Greek Yogurt, Tillamook’s creamiest yogurt to date. With increased consumer demand for whole milk yogurt options, Tillamook responded with a wholesome recipe with 4% milkfat and premium, innovative flavor combinations. Like all of the Tillamook Greek yogurts, the Whole Milk line includes buttermilk cultures for a creamier, less tart taste. Farmstyle Whole Milk Greek Yogurt comes in six flavors: Clover Honey, Meyer Lemon Pear, Mexican Vanilla, Northwest Blackberry, Raspberry Fig and Strawberry Black Currant. The new line has a suggested retail price of $1.39 for each 5.3 ounce single-serve container. In addition, Tillamook has revamped its Good & Creamy (previously Tillamook Low Fat Yogurt) line in response to consumer requests for an option with lower sugar content. The updated Good & Creamy yogurt recipe now has 25% less sugar and 9 grams of protein (vs. 7 grams in the previous recipe). In addition to the 14 existing flavors, Tillamook added two new Good & Creamy flavor offerings: Maple Vanilla and Oregon Hood River Pear. Good & Creamy yogurts have a suggested retail price of 79 cents for each 6-ounce single-serve cup. “As a farmer-led company, we believe people should feel connected to the food they eat, understand where it comes from and be proud to share that food with their families,” said Tillamook Category Manager Lara Gish. “That’s why we always look for ways to improve our offerings and never stop pushing to make the very best dairy products. With our two new product lines, we’re pleased to bring simple and delicious real food options to market.” Both Tillamook Farmstyle Whole Milk Greek and Good & Creamy low-fat yogurts are made with premium ingredients and the highest-quality milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. Consistent with Tillamook’s high standards, the two yogurt lines are free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and made with premium, traceable fruit. For more information, link HERE.

	CANADIANS GET THEIR FIRST WHOLE MILK YOGURT (posted February 2, 2017) General Mills is rolling out Yoplait Whole Milk. The product line is the first whole milk yogurt to be available nationally in Canada. It’s positioned as an all-family yogurt with better taste from a thicker, creamier texture. Marketing materials describe the yogurt as full of inherent goodness, good for kids, more satiety and less processed. The 3.25% milkfat yogurt contains no gelatin, and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The product comes in single-serve 100-gram cups in nine flavors. They are: Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Coconut, Mango, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla. For more information, link HERE.

	WHOLE MILK DRINKABLE ICELANDIC YOGURT (posted January 25, 2017) Siggi’s crafts a clean and simple drinkable yogurt. The company is adding single-serve, whole milk, drinkable yogurt to its expanding portfolio. Crafted with only five simple ingredients, siggi’s whole milk drinkable yogurt is available in three flavors: Blueberry, Strawberry and Vanilla. The new 8-ounce offering features a simple and all-natural ingredient list, 8 grams of protein and 10 billion probiotic cultures per serving. Made with whole milk and real fruit, this Swedish-style filmjölk is a natural, drinkable yogurt created with convenience and nutrition in mind. A staple of Sweden and other Nordic countries, filmjölk is a drinkable yogurt with a velvety-thick texture that is delicious on its own or poured over granola or fruit. “From day one, it has been our mission to bring consumers better quality yogurt options with simple ingredients and not a lot of sugar,” says Siggi Hilmarsson, founder of siggi’s. “Knowing consumers are always looking for a healthy snack when they are on the go, it was a natural move for us to give them a single-serve, convenient and nourishing choice. We are excited to provide our fans with a new, great-tasting yogurt in a format that is easy to grab when they are going about their busy days.” Siggi’s drinkable yogurts are made without any artificial preservatives, thickeners, sweeteners, flavors or colors. The suggested retail price is $1.69. For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT CRAFTED FOR HEALTH (posted January 19, 2017) Cascade Fresh becomes Cascade Culture. This coming week at the Winter Fancy Food Show, Washington State’s Wholesome Yogurt will roll out Cascade Culture-Yogurt Crafted for Health. The product addresses all of the major trends around simple ingredients, dairy’s inherent healthfulness and sustainability. The artisan product highlights the inclusion of probiotics, use of grass-fed milk and absence of refined sugar. The new 6-ounce low-fat yogurt line comes in seven fruit-flavored varieties. They are: Blueberry, Cherry, Green Apple, Lemon, Mixed Berry, Peach and Strawberry. The fruit preparation is sweetened only by fruit juice and is made with locally sourced fruit from Pacific Coast states. The uniquely shaped package—a round square--has a transparent bottom to showcase the real fruit pieces. All of these updates were made while keeping the original recipe and consistency of the original Cascade Fresh yogurt. Read more about the brand’s history HERE. Visually, the new package showcases watercolor art, which reflects the artisanship and the company’s support for local artists and its giving-back mission. The new package uses the new Nutrition Facts label, making the brand one of the first dairy products to market with the new format. The labels show that each single-serve cup contains 140 calories, 2 grams of fat, 3 grams of added sugar from juice concentrate and 8 grams of protein. The single-serve cups have a suggested retail price of $1.69. Larger cups are also available. For more information, link HERE.

	DESSERT-FLAVORED SIDE-BY-SIDE GREEK YOGURTS (posted January 16, 2017) Chobani grows the Flip line. As overall retail yogurt sales slow, Chobani reports that its side-by-side (yogurt and inclusions) Flip brand of yogurt is performing very well. The company is rolling out three new dessert-flavored options this month, with the entire Flip line being supported with a new marketing campaign spanning TV, digital, social media and point of sale, according to reports. The new flavors are: Carrot Cake Creation, which is sweet carrot-flavored low-fat yogurt with a side of cinnamon-glazed cake pieces, walnuts and creamy white chocolate chunks. This flavor contains real carrots, pineapple and coconut to replicate the carrot cake flavor. Cinnabun Fun, which is cinnamon-flavored low-fat yogurt with a side of pastry pieces, chewy caramels and cinnamon-roasted pecans. S’more S’mores, which is sweet vanilla-flavored low-fat yogurt with a side of honey graham crackers and milk chocolate and toasted sugar bits. As with all of Chobani’s products, the new flavors are made with “only natural non GMO ingredients.” The new flavors contain 180 to 200 calories, 4.5 to 8 grams of fat, 17 to 19 grams of sugar and 11 to 12 grams of protein, depending on variety.

	GLOBALLY INSPIRED WHOLE MILK YOGURT (posted January 11, 2017) Noosa melds fruits with herbs to offer three new decadent yogurt flavors. The three new whole milk yogurts comes in 8-ounce clear plastic tubs. The tart and sweet flavors pair noosa’s velvety plain yogurt with juicy fruits and a hint of herbs and spices. The varieties are: Orange & Ginger: A subtly complex fusion of taste and smell that combines the flavors of tree-ripened oranges and freshly minced ginger. Pear & Cardamom: Sweet, juicy Bartlett pears are plucked right from the grove, finely minced and slowly stewed with Indian cardamom. Strawberry & Hibiscus: Plump ripe strawberries are gently muddled then infused with real hibiscus flowers for an exotic, aromatic treat. A single tub contains 11 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein, along with 260 to 270 calories and 23 to 25 grams of sugar, depending on variety. All noosa yogurt is made in small batches on a family farm in Bellvue, Colorado, with whole milk from happy cows (not treated with rBGH), according to the company. For more information, link HERE.

	CLEAN-LABEL ORGANIC NONFAT GREEK YOGURT (posted January 2, 2017) Meijer grows private-label True Goodness line with Greek yogurt. The new 5.3-ounce cup line comes in eight varieties. They are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Lime, Mango, Plain, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla. The fruit varieties contain 120 calories, while Vanilla contains 110 and Plain 80. The retail price is $1.29 In late 2015, the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer combined its Meijer Naturals and Meijer Organics product lines to one True Goodness by Meijer brand. Over the course of 2016, the company introduced products in every department, some under the True Goodness by Meijer brand and others under the True Goodness by Meijer Organics brand. All True Goodness by Meijer products are free from artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. For more information on the brand, including a list of all unacceptable ingredients, link HERE.

	CLEAN-LABEL, DUAL-COMPARTMENT LOW-FAT GREEK YOGURT (posted December 26, 2016) The Kroger Company expands its Simple Truth brand. The new side-by-side Simple Truth low-fat Greek yogurts join the brand’s cup Greek yogurt. Each 5.3-ounce dual-compartment container houses unsweetened 2% milkfat strained yogurt made with live and active cultures on one side and variegate on the other side for easy mixing in. There are eight varieties. They are: Blueberry, Blueberry Pomegranate, Cherry, Honey, Key Lime, Peach, Raspberry and Strawberry. Labels state the product is made in Canada. Each single-serve cup contains, on average, 170 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 20 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein. The Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic brands are available throughout the Kroger network of supermarket chains. The brands are designed to provide affordable and delicious foods that represent the joy of eating closer to the way nature intended. The products come in clean, simple packaging and easy-to-understand ingredient statements and are free from 101+ artificial preservatives and ingredients.

	DECADENT WHOLE MILK YOGURT (posted December 21, 2016) General Mills introduces Yoplait Custard Yogurt. The new 150-gram cup line is all about deliciousness. The six flavors are: Banana, Blueberry, Caramel, Lemon, Strawberry and Vanilla. Made with whole milk, and a very clean and simple ingredient legend, a single-serve cup contains 170 calories, 5 grams of fat, 19 grams of sugar and 7 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	A YOGURT AND COFFEE PARTNERSHIP IS FORMED (posted December 13, 2016) General Mills introduces Liberte Nicaraguan Coffee Bean yogurt. The company partnered with Intelligentsia to use its Organic Los Delirios coffee beans in this product. The beans are directly sourced from the Canales’ family-owned farm, which made history by producing the first certified organic coffee to win first place in the Cup of Excellence event. This is the first release of Liberte’s new Limited Batch program and will be available for approximately six months. There are two new Limited Batch flavors coming in summer 2017. The USDA-certified organic product is made with whole milk and cream, without the addition of any artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, as well high fructose corn syrup. The 5.5-ounce cup contains 220 calories, 11 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. The suggested retail price is $1.89. For more information, link HERE.

	PRIVATE-LABEL CREAM-ON-TOP YOGURT (posted December 8, 2016) Loblaws Canada grow its President’s Choice yogurt range with new Cream on Top Yogurt, which is made with 100% Canadian milk. Available in three indulgent flavors—Black Cherry, Coconut and Lemon—the new 6% milkfat line comes in 500-gram plastic tubs that have selective clear space to showcase the three layers inside. Sweet is on the bottom. Yogurt in the middle. Cream on top. A three-fourths cup (175 gram) serving contains 200 calories and 7 grams of protein. Fat content varies from 8 to 10 grams. For more information, link HERE.

	SNACK-SIZE GREEK YOGURT WITH TOPPING (posted November 16, 2016) Gevina Farms introduces Greek-n-Crunch. New York’s Gevina Farms, founded in 2014 and known for its kosher dairy products, introduces 4.5-ounce dome cups of Greek yogurt with topping. There are six varieties, mostly geared towards children, but perfectly acceptable for parents to enjoy, too. They are: Baked Apple Crisp, Choc Dipped Corn Flakes, Chocolate Cookie Crumble, Chocolate Pecan Crunch, Kraisin Granola Cluster and Rainbow Candy Dotz. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the November 11, 2016, blog titled "Dairy Foods Forecast 2017: Dairy-Based Beverages," by linking HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the November 4, 2016, blog titled "Adding Fiber to Dairy Makes Sense; Inulin Makes No-Added-Sugars Possible in Many Dairy Applications," by linking HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the November 4, 2016, blog titled "Adding Fiber to Dairy Makes Sense; Inulin Makes No-Added-Sugars Possible in Many Dairy Applications," by linking HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the November 4, 2016, blog titled "Adding Fiber to Dairy Makes Sense; Inulin Makes No-Added-Sugars Possible in Many Dairy Applications," by linking HERE.

	THE FLAVORS OF SPIRITS FIND THEIR WAY INTO REFRIGERATED YOGURT (posted October 31, 2016) The Collective Dairy gets creative with new limited-edition offerings. In the U.K., this artisan yogurt manufacturer is rolling out new Raspberry Trifle with Amaretto in 450-gram containers. Each cup is packed full of fresh raspberries, cakey breadcrumbs and a cheeky splash of amaretto for a healthier yet indulgent dessert. If amaretto isn’t one’s tipple, then consumers can treat themselves new Blackberries and Sloe Gin special edition, made with the finest British blackberries, according to the company. Also, back by popular demand comes Rhubarb and Vanilla with a hint of Lemongrass. These three flavors all come in The Collective’s signature 450-gram clear-plastic, multi-serving tub. And, because sometimes it is hard to put down the spoon when enjoying the very decadent Russian Fudge variant, the company is now making it available in 150-gram clear-plastic, single-serve tubs to satisfy the sweet tooth. The innovation does not stop there. The company has supersized its natural, unsweetened Straight Up and launched a 900-gram version. For more information, link HERE.

	BETTER-FOR-YOU KIDS YOGURT (posted October 27, 2016) Valio introduces Play Yogurt to the Finnish market. This new line of yogurt uses filtration technology to remove the lactose, making it easier on sensitive tummies. The inclusion of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG further assists with digestive health. The yogurt is also fortified with bone-building vitamin D. The company claims the yogurt contains 40% less sugar than other kids’ yogurts, with each 100-gram serving containing 10 grams of sugar, 5.6 grams are added for sweetness while the other 4.4 grams are naturally occurring in the fruit. There are four fruit varieties. They are: Banana, Pear, Raspberry and Strawberry. The product is sold in four packs of 125-gram containers, which each contain 100 calories, 3 grams of fat and 4.5 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the Oct. 21, 2016, blog titled "Highlights from SIAL 2016: Global Cultured Dairy Product Innovations."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the Oct. 21, 2016, blog titled "Highlights from SIAL 2016: Global Cultured Dairy Product Innovations."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the Oct. 21, 2016, blog titled "Highlights from SIAL 2016: Global Cultured Dairy Product Innovations."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the Oct. 21, 2016, blog titled "Highlights from SIAL 2016: Global Cultured Dairy Product Innovations."

	To read more about this product, link HERE to the Oct. 21, 2016, blog titled "Highlights from SIAL 2016: Global Cultured Dairy Product Innovations."

	HIGH-PROTEIN YOGURT TARGETED TO MEN (posted October 19, 2016) Poland’s Bakoma introduces Men Yogurt in drink and cup formats. Attending SIAL? Check out the product in Hall 7 Booth B 193. Poland’s agriculture industry is booming, and dairy is leading the way. Bakoma now offers a drinkable and cup yogurt product targeted to men. The masculine graphics are meant to encourage trial with men, who have historically not been large consumers of yogurt in Eastern Europe. The Men line is a high-protein yogurt. The drinkable format is a 230 gram single-serve bottle, while the cup is 200 grams. The drinkable comes in four flavors. They are: Forest Fruit, Mango, Natural and Strawberry. The cup comes in three flavors: Apricot, Pear and Strawberry. For more information, link HERE.

	BETTER-FOR-YOU DUAL-COMPARTMENT KIDS YOGURT (posted October 13, 2016) Müller UK & Ireland reduces the sugar in Kids Corner yogurt. The company has reformulated its popular Kids Corner brand of yogurt by changing the recipe to include 50% less added sugar, reducing the total sugar content to 10% per 100 gram serving. The reformulation addresses parents’ growing interest in lower-sugar products for their children. In addition, the newly formulated products feature a promotion with iconic toy brand Hasbro, giving entrants the chance to win a Hasbro toy every single day until December 18, 2016, by simply entering a unique code located inside the outer wraps of promotional packs onto a dedicated website. “We are very excited to launch our new reduced sugar Kids Corner range,” says Michael Inpong, marketing director at Müller. “At Müller we are committed to supporting reducing added sugar across our whole portfolio, and through our Müllerlicious products, programs and actions we will empower consumers to make healthy and balanced lifestyle choices.” The line includes: My Little Pony Friendship in Magic: Strawberry yogurt with pink and white ponies Transformers Robots in Disguise: Vanilla-flavored yogurt with blue and yellow cereal balls Toffee Hoops: Toffee-flavored yogurt with milk chocolate coated cereal hoops Halloween: Vanilla-flavored yogurt with mini crunchy pumpkins Merry Crunchmas: Vanilla-flavored yogurt with mini crunchy reindeers and red baubles The yogurts are sold in four packs of 135-gram containers. For more information, link HERE.

	KIDS NUTRIENT-ENHANCED LOW-SUGAR PROBIOTIC YOGURT (posted October 11, 2016) Anchor introduces New Zealand children to new Anchor Uno. Anchor Uno is a gluten-free probiotic yogurt made with real fruit puree, which eliminate pulpy bits that many picky eaters find offensive. The yogurt is specially formulated with iron, zinc, folate, and vitamins B6 and vitamin D, to help support immunity. The yogurts are free of artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners and are said to be the lowest sugar kids yogurt in the market. About 25% to 30% of the sugar in Uno is naturally occurring from the lactose in milk, and the remaining is added sugar from the fruit preparation. A 100-gram serving contains 85 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of protein and 6 to 7 grams of sugar, depending on flavor. Flavors are: Apricot, Mixed Berry, Passionfruit, Peach Mango, Strawberry and Vanilla. The yogurts come in 100-gram pouches, as well as single-serve cups. There are six packs of 150-grams cups and 12 packs of 100-gram cups. Bifidobacterium lactis is the probiotic in Anchor Uno. B. lactis is thought to have an important role in a healthy digestive system and help control the balance of “good and bad” bacteria in the gut. Anchor Uno yogurt packaging states it’s a “Formulated Supplementary Food for Young Children,” which is an official name for a category of food under Australia New Zealand food regulations. For more information, link HERE.

	GREEK YOGURT GOES FROM FRIDGE TO FREEZER (posted October 3, 2016) Danone debuts Greek Frozen in South Korea. New Greek Frozen is sold in six packs of 90-gram containers in the refrigerator. The product line, which comes in Strawberry and Vanilla flavors, can be consumed from the fridge or, after seven hours in the freezer, as a soft-serve frozen healthful dessert. This is possible through a unique combination of sweeteners and stabilizers. Each single-serve cup contains 150 calories, 4 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein. The product rolled out in July throughout South Korea and has a retail price that’s equivalent of about U.S. $3.75.

	To read about this product, link to the September 30, 2016, blog titled "Coloring Cultured Dairy Foods," by linking HERE.

	KEFIR IN A CUP (posted September 29, 2016) Rye Fresh Inc., introduces Cupful Kefir. This new low-fat kefir-style yogurt line comes in 5.3-ounce cups. There are six varieties. They are: Blueberry, Madagascar Vanilla, Mango, Peach, Plain and Strawberry. Each single-serve container of the fruited varieties contains 100 calories, 3 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein and 14 grams of sugar. Plain is only 90 calories and 10 grams of sugar. The 99%-lactose free product is made from milk from grass-fed cows and says it is non-GMO. It’s also gluten free and loaded with 12 live and active cultures, including probiotics. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the September 23, 2016, blog titled “Expo East 2016 Highlights for Dairy Foods Processors: Value-Added Dairy Products that Appeal to Millennials,” by linking HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the September 23, 2016, blog titled “Expo East 2016 Highlights for Dairy Foods Processors: Value-Added Dairy Products that Appeal to Millennials,” by linking HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the September 23, 2016, blog titled “Expo East 2016 Highlights for Dairy Foods Processors: Value-Added Dairy Products that Appeal to Millennials,” by linking HERE.

	GREEK GOES CHOCOLATE (posted September 20, 2016) The Hain Celestial Group introduces Greek Gods Chocolate Greek-Style Yogurt. The indulgent, whole milk yogurts all have a creamy, rich chocolate base, to which an extra layer of flavor gets added. The three varieties are: Cherry, Mocha and Strawberry. The new yogurts are available in 24-ounce tubs designed for sharing. An 8-ounce serving contains 290 calories, 14 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein and 30 grams of sugar. “Our customers have enjoyed our decadent, whole milk Greek-Style Yogurts for many years, and chocolate was a natural fit for our newest addition,” says Basel Nassar, chief operating officer of the Hain Refrigerated Foods Division. “Customer feedback has been extremely positive. The creamy, thick texture and rich taste of chocolate make these new flavors truly unique.” For more information, link HERE.

	INNOVATIVE DUTCH COMPANIES INTRODUCE CONVENIENCE DAIRY SNACK (posted September 15, 2016) De Zuivelmakers and Fruity Pack (the co-packer) developed a new concept: Mr Spork’s yoghurt. This unique snacking concept is based on the combination of fresh yoghurt made from sustainable dairy with fresh cut fruit and healthful toppings. Each package contains a spoon/fork (= spork) for convenient on-the-go enjoyment. The yogurt is produced by De Zuivelmakers (The Dairy Makers), made with fresh milk from the Green Heart region, which is famous for its high-quality dairy products. Together with its own farmers, the company works on Sustainable Dairy Farming, a program setting goals for better cow health and a cleaner environment. The fruit is specially selected from a Dutch producer. Therefor Mr. Spork’s contains fresh strawberries directly from the source, almost year round. Making use of short lead times in the chain of cultivation, production and logistics results in a guarantee of optimal freshness for this concept, according to the company. There are four varieties. Strawberry, Blueberry, Pomegranate Seeds and Honey, along with Strawberry and Muesli will be available year round. The limited-edition summer offering was Pineapple, Kiwi and Coconut Flakes. For winter, there will be Apple, Grape, Orange and Walnut. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the August 26, 2016, blog entitled "Probiotics and Lactose Free: Product Attributes Driving Innovation in the Cultured Dairy Products Sector," by linking HERE.

	INDULGENT FRUIT-ON-BOTTOM GREEK YOGURT (posted August 22, 2016) Vermont’s Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy LLC introduces Green Mountain Creamery 2% Fat Greek yogurt. The Greek yogurts are authentically strained and contain five live and active cultures. The artisanal fruit-on-bottom 5.3-ounce yogurts come in three varieties. They are: Chocolate Cherry (chocolate yogurt with cherry fruit), Coconut Pineapple (coconut yogurt with pineapple fruit) and Vanilla Blueberry (vanilla yogurt with blueberry fruit). Blueberry Cheesecake will be available soon. At the beginning of summer, the company offered limited-batch Green Mountain Creamery 2% Greek Mint Chocolate Chip yogurt. Pumpkin Pie will roll out soon for autumn and Peppermint Bark with phase in for the winter months. All Green Mountain Creamery yogurts contain no high fructose corn syrup, or artificial additives, colors, preservative or sweeteners. For more information, link HERE.

	FUNCTIONAL YOGURTS INCLUDE GRAINS AND FIBER (posted August 18, 2016) Lithuania’s Vilkyškiai introduces Vilvi Functional Yoga Yogurts. The 200-gram single-serve cups come in three autumn harvest-inspired flavors. They are: Apples & Oats; Quince, Pumpkin & Cereal; and Vanilla & Roasted Flax Seed. A serving of this whole milk yogurt product contains 200 calories, 7 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber from the fruit, grains and addition of prebiotic fiber derived from chicory root inulin. For more information, link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the August 12, 2016, blog entitled “Yogurt in the U.S.: The Dairy Case is Evolving; Most New Innovations are Non-Greek.” Link HERE.

	FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND YOGURT FOR BIG KIDS (posted August 11, 2016) Arla launches Big Yogs in the U.K. This fruit and vegetable yogurt is designed to help parents encourage young children to eat vegetables and has added vitamins and minerals to help support their growth and development. The launch of the tasty and nutritious Big Yogs is another demonstration of Arla’s commitment to expand its presence in the yogurt category, following the success of Arla skyr and Arla Protein, which since launching in 2015 are up 165% and 200% respectively, in volume terms, according to the company. Arla Big Yogs follows in the footsteps of Arla Big Milk, the fresh cows milk with added iron, vitamin D and vitamin A, which launched in April 2015, to provide parents with an easy and convenient way of giving their young children the vitamins and minerals they need. Big Yogs were launched following extensive customer research. Independent research carried out by Arla in 2015 revealed that 95% of parents surveyed liked the fact that the product contained vegetables, as they can find it hard to feed their children vegetables in their usual format. The new product is made from 3% fat milk yogurt, natural fruits and vegetables, and enriched with vitamin D and calcium. Naturally sweetened with fruit juice concentrate, the product comes in four flavor combinations. They come in four packs containing two (110 gram) of each Raspberry & Beetroot and Sweet Potato & Mango; or Blueberry & Pumpkin and Strawberry & Carrot. For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT SMOOTHIES FOR WEIGHT MAINTENANCE (posted August 4, 2016) Borden’s LALA brand introduces two yogurt smoothie lines. Healthies Curb is the first of the brand’s new Healthies line, which will focus on better-for-you varieties while still offering the great taste and convenience of LALA’s signature Yogurt Smoothies. LALA has plans to expand upon this launch with other healthful yogurt smoothie varieties in the coming year. Healthies Curb combines grains and proteins for a nutritious beverage that fights hunger while on the go. With 10 grams of protein, 8 grams of whole grains plus fiber in every drink, LALA Healthies Curb helps keep cravings at bay and sustain energy throughout the day. The drink comes in three flavors--Orange Pineapple, Toasted Pecan and Wild Strawberry—and is sold in four-packs of 6.7-ounce bottles. LALA 100 Calorie is a portion-controlled yogurt smoothie for those watching calories without sacrificing taste. While 100 calorie spoonable yogurts have been on the market and performing well for some time, consumers have not had the luxury of a portion controlled, on-the-go drinkable yogurt. The smoothies come in Cherry Vanilla, Mountain Blueberry and Wild Strawberry flavors in four-packs of 7-ounce bottles. All LALA Yogurt Smoothies contain no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors and are made with real fruit. “LALA yogurt smoothies are loved by consumers for the taste, convenience and quality ingredients. We know that 59% of yogurt drinkers consume them as a meal, so we wanted to provide options for people who regularly eat on the run, but don’t want to sacrifice flavor or nutrition,” says Desiree Johnson, director of marketing at Borden Dairy. “We are continuously looking to provide our customers with added benefits and new LALA Healthies Curb and LALA 100 Calorie are a great way to do so.” For more information, link HERE.

	LIBERTE GOES WHOLE MILK ORGANIC (posted July 27, 2016) General Mills ups its game in the premium yogurt category. Under its Liberte brand, the company is rolling out eight varieties of whole milk yogurt, including one unflavored variety. The Sweet Cream offering starts with pure, organic whole milk, sourced from a co-operative of family farms. It’s then lightly sweetened with organic cane sugar. A 5.5-ounce cup contains 190 calories, 13 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. The other seven flavorful offerings, made using the same local organic milk, come in an array of worldly flavors. They are: Californian Pomegranate, Baja Strawberry, Ecuadorian Mango, French Lavender, Lemon, Philippine Coconut and Washington Black Cherry. Each single-serve container, which is in clear plastic to showcase the layered ingredients, contains 210 to 220 calories, 11 to 13 grams of fat and 4 to 5 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	THE YOGURT CASE HEATS UP (posted July 18, 2016) Noosa introduces multiple sweet and spicy yogurt combinations. The “sweet heat” combination is an emerging trend and noosa is one of the first to experiment with it in the refrigerated yogurt category. There are six varieties rolling out to stores this month. There are five flavors in 8-ounce cups. They are: Bhakti Chai (limited batch), Blackberry Serrano (This flavor rolled out exclusively in noosa’s home state of Colorado in January. Now it’s available nationwide.), Mango Sweet Chili, Pineapple Jalapeno and Raspberry Habanero. The sixth flavor--Mexican Chocolate--comes in four packs of 4-ounce cups. This flavor combines cinnamon, chocolate and a pinch of chili spice. All noosa yogurt is made in small batches on a family farm in Bellvue, Colorado, with wholesome ingredients: all-natural whole milk from happy cows (not treated with rBGH), fresh fruit puree--made using the ripest, juiciest fruits--and infused with a touch of wildflower honey, according to the company. For more information, link HERE.

	POSITIVELY LOCAL YOGURT (posted July 14, 2016) Five Acre Farms rolls out a range of Greek yogurt and traditional yogurt products. The New York City-based company converts milk sourced from local farms that use sustainable practices. All farms are 275 miles or less from farm to store. The company identifies farmers and processors for full transparency to consumers. The new 6-ounce Greek yogurts come in whole, 2% milk and fat-free formulations. The new 6-ounce traditional yogurts only come in whole milk. All varieties are available in three flavors: Honey, Maple and Plain. For more information, link HERE.

	BULGARIAN YOGURT IN DUAL-COMPARTMENT FORMAT (posted July 6, 2016) Trimona Foods grows its Bulgarian yogurt line with side-by-side flavorful offerings. Less than three years ago, Trimona Foods started producing Bulgarian yogurt in the U.S. The original plain, non-strained whole milk product is made with milk from grass-fed cows not treated with artificial hormones or antibiotics. The yogurt is simply milk and cultures. It comes in 6- and 32-ounce containers. An 8-ounce serving contains 8 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugar and 8 grams of protein. The tart yogurt is made with unique, active bacterial cultures, specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which was discovered by a Bulgarian microbiologist in 1905. Special strains of this species are used to create Trimona’s distinctive tangy taste and homemade-yogurt aroma, according to the company. The new 5.3-ounce dual compartment containers have the same whole milk yogurt on one side, with other side containing a lightly sweetened flavorful puree. The four varieties are: Blueberry Lavender, Honey Ginger Cinnamon, Mango Passion Fruit and Raspberry Coconut. One dual-compartment cup contains 4 grams of protein, along with 130 to 150 calories, 4.5 to 7 grams of fat and 12 to 16 grams of sugar, depending on variety. For more information, link HERE.

	AUTHENTIC SKYR DEBUTS IN U.S. MARKET (posted June 30, 2016) Icelandic Provisions introduces skyr made with heirloom skyr cultures. The company’s initial rollout includes five flavors. There’s the classic Plain and Vanilla, and three Nordic-derived varieties: Strawberry with Lingonberry, Blueberry with Bilberry, and Peach with Cloudberry. Coconut and Raspberry will be available in about a month. An authentic product rooted in the Icelandic way of life, Icelandic Provisions is made with preserved and treasured heirloom skyr cultures, a proprietary ingredient that is centuries old. Skyr is a nourishing dairy product made with unique cultures to produce its one-of-a-kind creamy texture and deliciously complex, mild taste. Icelandic Provisions is protein rich. Each cup contains four times the amount of milk as a cup of yogurt. Skyr has been Iceland’s signature food for nearly a thousand years dating back to the 9th Century when it’s believed that Vikings brought skyr on their journeys. Each Icelandic Provisions package features a “fruit cairn” as a nod to its Icelandic heritage. Vikings used traditional cairns, man-made piles of stones, as navigational landmarks. And today, cairns are used throughout the country as trail markers. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 14 to 17 grams of protein, is naturally low in sugar and contains 1.5% fat. The skyr is made with milk from a farmers’ co-op that feeds their cows a largely grass-filled diet and abstains from using artificial growth hormones. Icelandic Provisions does not contain artificial preservatives, thickeners, sweeteners, flavors or colors. The company was co-founded with MS Iceland Dairies, the oldest and largest dairy co-op in Iceland, made up of approximately 600 native farms and milk producers. A group of industry veterans were assembled for the U.S. development and management team. “U.S. consumers are developing a palate for the thick, creamy taste of skyr,” says Einar Sigurðsson, chairman. “They value products with a high-protein content that aren’t packed with the sugar levels you find in the cultured dairy populating grocery shelves across the U.S. We are proud to launch Icelandic Provisions and expand the skyr category with a product that comes directly from the country that invented it and is made with ingredients that are native to the Nordic region.” Icelandic Provisions is currently available in the North Atlantic, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with plans to expand across the U.S. during the second half of 2016. Each 5.3-ounce cup retails for $1.79 to $1.99. For more information, link HERE.

	A U.S. ORIGINAL: GREEK YOGURT “MADE BY GREEKS” WITH UPSTATE NEW YORK MILK (posted June 28, 2016) Kourellas Dairy ships Greek fruit, authentic cultures, including probiotics, and even packaging to New York to make its new Organic Greek yogurt line. Using the company’s traditional strained Greek yogurt recipe with origins in Grevena, Greece, Kourellas Dairy is entering the U.S. market with a small-batch, handcrafted Greek yogurt line that is made by real Greek dairy processors. That’s right, every batch of this artisan yogurt is produced with a minimum of two Greek-passport-owner dairy processors. This allows the company to make the label claim: Made by Greeks. Made with New York State milk, with everything else having Greek origins, the new line made its debut at the Summer Fancy Food show in six varieties. They are: Apple, Blueberry, Clementine, Kiwi, Orange and Strawberry. The yogurts contain no added sweetener of any type. They are naturally sweetened by the premium fruit puree imported from Greece. The low-fat organic blended yogurts have a simple ingredient statement: milk, cultures and fruit. The suggested retail price is $2.50. For more information, link HERE.

	HISPANIC-INSPIRED DAIRY SMOOTHIES (posted June 15, 2016) Raymundo’s grows its business beyond refrigerated dessert cups. At the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) last week in Houston, Texas, this Chicago-based company debuted Raymundo’s Lowfat Dairy Smoothies and Aloe Smoothies. Made with yogurt, the 7-ounce refrigerated beverages come in four flavors: Guanabana, Mango, Mixed Berries and Strawberry. The beverages are loaded with vitamins and minerals, made with real fruit and void of preservatives. The beverages are co-packed for Raymundo’s by Noga Dairy Inc. For more information, link HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the June 3, 2016, blog entitiled "Millennial Moms: Attracting them to your Dairy Beverage" HERE.

	To read more about this product, link to the June 3, 2016, blog entitiled "Millennial Moms: Attracting them to your Dairy Beverage" HERE.

	FUNCTIONAL DRINKABLE GREEK YOGURT (posted May 19, 2016) Pillars Yogurt LLC introduces Pillars. New Pillars drinkable Greek yogurt is described as a functional dairy beverage that fills a market gap between traditional cup Greek yogurt, smoothie products and other drinkable yogurts. Simply, Pillars makes Greek yogurt more convenient, nutritious and delicious, according to the new company. Gluten-free and kosher, Pillars comes in four varieties. They are: Mixed Berry, Plain, Strawberry & Banana, and Vanilla. Each 12-ounce single-serve bottle contains 100 calories, no fat, 18 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber. There’s no added sugar. The product is only slightly sweetened with stevia. Product claims include being made with milk from grass-fed cows, non-GMO, containing live and active probiotic cultures and containing prebiotic fiber. The product is making its initial debut in select Whole Foods Markets within the month. For more information, link HERE.

	CHEF-INSPIRED--SWEET AND SAVORY--DUAL-COMPARTMENT YOGURT Fage introduces Crossovers. (posted May 11, 2016) New Fage Crossovers invite consumers to experience chef-level snacking with a variety of yogurt cuisines that are as distinct as they are delicious, according to the company. The dual-compartment 150-gram containers have strained yogurt on one side and crunchy toppings on the other. The eight varieties are: Caramel with Almonds, Carrot Ginger with Pistachios, Coconut Curry with Cashews, Coconut with Dark Chocolate, Honey with Walnuts, Maple Syrup with Granola, Olive Thyme with Almonds, and Tomato Basil with Almonds. The 1.5% milkfat yogurts contain 190 to 230 calories, 5 to 12 grams of fat and 12 to 15 grams of protein, depending on variety. For more information, link HERE.

	Read more about this product in the May 6, 2016, blog entitled "Global Innovations in Yogurt and Fermented Foods," by linking HERE.

	Read more about this product in the May 6, 2016, blog entitled "Global Innovations in Yogurt and Fermented Foods," by linking HERE.

	Read more about this product in the May 6, 2016, blog entitled "Global Innovations in Yogurt and Fermented Foods," by linking HERE.

	Read more about this product in the May 6, 2016, blog entitled "Global Innovations in Yogurt and Fermented Foods," by linking HERE.

	Read more about this product in the May 6, 2016, blog entitled "Global Innovations in Yogurt and Fermented Foods," by linking HERE.

	GRASS-FED KEFIR IN CUP AND DRINK FORMATS (posted May 5, 2016) Rye Fresh markets Cupful Kefir. The 5.3-ounce cups come in Blueberry, Mango, Peach, Plain and Vanilla varieties. The suggested retail price is $1.49. The 32-ounce multiple-serving bottles come in five varieties. They are: Blueberry, Strawberry, Vanilla, Low-Fat Plain and Nonfat Plains. The suggested retail price is $4.29. All of the 99%-lactose free kefirs are made with 12 live and active pro¬biotic cultures, according to the company. The all-natural, GMO-free kefirs are sweetened with a touch of organic cane sugar. For more information, link HERE.

	HIGH-PROTEIN, SHELF-STABLE YOGURT SMOOTHIE SHAKE. (posted April 27, 2016) CytoSport grows the Muscle Milk brand. New Muscle Milk Protein Smoothie Yogurt Shakes are made with Greek-style yogurt. The shakes come in shelf-stable 16-ounce plastic bottles in four varieties: Blueberry, Mango Tangerine, Peach, and Strawberry Banana. The single-serve bottle contains 260 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 21 grams of sugar and 25 grams of protein. The protein comes from the yogurt, milk protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate. The product is heat treated after culturing, which means the cultures are no longer live and active. It is sweetened with a combination of cane sugar, acesulfame potassium, sucralose and stevia extract. In addition to the new product line, the brand’s core lineup of Muscle Milk ready-to-drink shakes now feature updated nutritional profiles and redesigned packaging. These nutritional updates include simplified ingredient statements, the elimination of soy, reduced sugar and a 40% reduction in fat. “Innovation is essential to our company and we are excited to roll out a new and improved look for our brand while also introducing some very compelling and unique new products within the health and nutrition category,” says Greg Longstreet, president and CEO of CytoSport Inc. “We recognize that everyone’s protein needs are different, and we must provide products that complement today’s lifestyles. Protein is fundamental to helping individuals live and perform better, and we are pleased that these new products will help consumers elevate everyday performance.” For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT MADE WITH A2 MILK (posted April 14, 2016) Snowville Creamery dishes up A2/A2 Yogurt. The yogurts are made with milk from grass-grazed cows eating only non-GMO feed and forage. All of the cows have also been tested 100% for A2/A2 genetics. A2/A2 refers to a variation of protein found in cows milk, which some research has shown to be easier to digest than the A1 milk that is predominantly produced by cows in the U.S. “Consumers are hungry for better dairy products. At Snowville Creamery, we strive for continuous improvement, making more nourishing and delicious products,” says Warren Taylor, founder. The Snowville Creamery A2/A2 yogurts are available in Full-Fat Plain, Low-Fat Plain, Low-Fat Vanilla, Low-Fat Gingamon, Full-Fat Lemon Ginger and Full-Fat Coffee-Cardamom. The yogurts can be purchased at Whole Foods Markets throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, as well as other retailers in the area. Founded in 2007 by Warren and his wife, Victoria, Snowville Creamery connects sustainable Ohio family dairy farms with discerning milk and yogurt lovers. The Creamery has produced yogurt since 2012. Warren, a sincere dairy evangelist, believes that A2/A2 herds will have a transformative effect on the dairy industry, with small processors, such as Snowville Creamery, leading the way. In fact, Snowville is working toward having all their milk, including their renowned chocolate milk, be A2/A2 as supply becomes available. For more information, link HERE.

	PROBIOTIC YOGURT SMOOTHIE BASED ON EAST AFRICAN RECIPE (posted April 7, 2016) Acacia Tree introduces Ziwa. The term ziwa is related to maziwa, a Swahili word for milk. The Swahili are people and culture found on the coast of East Africa, mainly the coastal regions and the islands of Kenya and Tanzania. Ziwa yogurt smoothies are made from reduced-fat cows milk free from artificial growth hormone. The probiotic cultured beverages are sweetened with sugar and void of artificial sweeteners and preservatives, with no added stabilizers or food colors. The 12-ounce flavored offerings are made with real fruit puree and come in five varieties: Blueberry, Guava, Mango, Raspberry and Sweet Cherry. A single bottle contains around 300 calories, 6 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein. There’s also an original plain variety made with whole milk. The original was developed for the ethnic foods market, as it has a distinct sour, tangy taste that resembles camels milk, a staple among the Swahili. The company first entered the U.S. dairy industry in 2012 with the introduction of Laban, a pourable cultured whole milk fortified with vitamins A and D. The Middle Eastern-style beverage contains more than 165 billion live and active probiotic cultures. It comes in 16-, 32- and 64-ounce containers, with the latter a foodservice item. Currently Acacia Tree products can be found in the company’s home state of Minnesota, as well as Seattle and the greater Washington D.C. regions. The product lines are poised for national distribution. For more information, link HERE.

	ORGANIC GREEK YOGURT DEBUTS FOR CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY (posted March 30, 2016) Clover Stornetta Farms, a third-generation family owned and operated California dairy, is celebrating 100 years in the business of making delicious, nutritious, premium all-natural and organic dairy products. In celebration of its centennial anniversary, Clover is introducing Organic Greek Yogurt, which is rich in protein and calcium and contains five live and active cultures. The nonfat yogurt is authentically strained to create an extra smooth, creamy texture. The new line’s flavors are fruit-forward, meaning organic fruit is second on the ingredient list behind Clover Organic Nonfat Milk. By sourcing premium organic fruit and adding lots of it, Clover Organic Greek Yogurt fruit varieties are bursting with flavor, according to the company. Fruited varieties come in 5.3-ounce single-serve containers in four flavor: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Peach and Strawberry. There’s also Plain and Vanilla in 5.3-ounce cups and 32-ounce family size tubs. “What sets us apart from other dairy producers is our innovative approach to the dairy business,” says Marcus Benedetti, president and CEO. “We were the first dairy processor to elevate milk from a commodity to a specialty food by establishing the North Coast Excellence Certified program, setting some of the most rigorous standards in the dairy industry which surpass those of the state and federal governments. We were the first dairy to become American Humane Certified, said no to the synthetic growth hormone rSBT, and made an early entrance to provide and support organic dairy products.” As part of this standard of excellence, Clover cows are raised on small, local family-owned farms that follow sustainable agriculture practices and tend small herds on spacious ranches where the cows are well-treated and healthy. For more information, link HERE.

	NEW WHOLE MILK KEFIR FLAVORS AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS (posted March 21, 2016) With full-fat dairy making a comeback, Lifeway Foods Inc., adds four new whole milk flavors to its extensive portfolio of kefir products. New Coconut & Cream, Lemon Meringue, Peaches & Cream and Strawberries & Cream join the existing Plain and Wildberries & Cream whole milk kefir varieties. Lifeway’s Organic Whole Milk Kefir is designed for consumers who prefer the thicker, creamier texture as well as the reported health and weight benefits of full-fat dairy products. Lifeway’s whole milk kefir products were inspired by research suggesting that full-fat dairy may be associated with a lower risk of obesity, in part because it may increase satiety and thereby decrease overall food and calorie intake. Researchers have also concluded that people who eat full-fat dairy are no more likely to develop heart disease or Type II diabetes than those who consume reduced-fat or non-fat versions, despite the long-time assumption that the higher fat content would contribute to those conditions. These studies are spurring a steady increase in sales of whole milk products. “Whole milk was largely dismissed as a healthy eating option for many years, but now the pendulum seems to be swinging back in the full-fat direction,” says Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky. The company’s whole milk SKUs have the same 12 live and active probiotic cultures as Lifeway’s low-fat kefir products, along with 10 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and 160 to 190 calories per 8-ounce serving. All are USDA Certified Organic, gluten free, 99% lactose free and come in 32-ounce bottles. The company is also introducing its first probiotic supplements with Lifeway ProBugs Chewables for children and Lifeway Probiotic Pills for adults, leveraging its strong brand recognition in the probiotic market to provide new digestive health and immunity aids. For more information, link HERE.

	Read more about this product in the March 11, 2016, blog entitled "Less Sugar, More Fiber: A Recurring Theme at RCA and Expo West...and how OODA can get you there," by linking HERE.

	Read more about this product in the March 11, 2016, blog entitled "Less Sugar, More Fiber: A Recurring Theme at RCA and Expo West...and how OODA can get you there," by linking HERE.

	NEW DECADENT LOW-CALORIE MOUSSE PACKS IN A POWERFUL PROTEIN PUNCH (posted March 7, 2016) Dannon introduces Light & Fit Greek Mousse. With nonfat yogurt as its base, each 4-ounce cup packs in a whopping 9 grams of milk protein. The aerated product comes in six varieties: Cherry Cheesecake, Coconut Cream, French Vanilla, Raspberry and White Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Strawberry Cheesecake. Each single-serve cup contains a mere 80 calories, 0 grams of fat and 10 grams of sugar thanks to the use of acesulfame potassium and sucralose. For more information, link HERE.

	FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND: YOGURT SWEETENED SOLELY BY FRUIT (posted March 2, 2016) WhiteWave Foods introduces Wallaby Organic Purely Unsweetened Whole Milk Greek Yogurt. This dual-compartment product has unsweetened plain authentically strained whole milk yogurt on one side and unsweetened fruit prep in the other. There are no added sweeteners of any kind. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 120 calories, 5 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein and a mere 4 to 5 grams of sugar (from the fruit and the lactose), depending on variety. There are four varieties: Blueberries Mixed Berries, Peaches and Strawberries. WhiteWave acquired Wallaby Yogurt Company in August 2015. For more information, link HERE.

	ORGANIC GRASSFED WHOLE MILK YOGURT (posted February 29, 2016—Leap Year Day!) Stonyfield’s new trio of whole milk products includes a 100% grassfed line. Stonyfield’s new product lines are aimed at providing customers more ways to enjoy the delicious flavor and nutritional richness of organic whole milk yogurt. The 100% grassfed line comes in four varieties. Single-serve 6-ounce cups contain either Blueberry, Strawberry or Vanilla, containing 130 to 140 calories, 6 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein and 13 to 15 grams of sugar, depending on variety. Plain and Vanilla come in 24-ounce multi-serve containers. “During Stonyfield’s first years, plain, simple, whole-milk yogurt was all that we made. In the 90s, diet fads led consumers to fear fat,” says Ana Milicevic, brand manager from Stonyfield. “But that simply wasn’t the whole story. Since whole milk provides a wealth of benefits--and tastes great—we’re excited to satisfy an increased demand and return to our roots.” Stonyfield’s new organic 100% Grassfed Whole Milk yogurt begins in the pasture, with milk from cows who graze exclusively on grass. Stonyfield is proud to be sourcing its organic 100% grassfed whole milk from Maple Hill Creamery, another company passionate about producing milk in a way that is good for the planet, good for the cows and good for people. Maple Hill Creamery cows are 100% grassfed, meaning they eat all grass, all the time (no grain, no corn) throughout the year (even in winter!) to produce whole milk with a rich, unique taste. In collaboration, Stonyfield and Maple Hill Creamery seek to make organic 100% grassfed yogurt accessible on a national level to more people than ever before. To help consumers identify 100% grassfed vs. other varieties of grassfed (supplemented with corn or grain), Stonyfield has achieved independent Pennsylvania Certified Organic accreditation, noted right on the label of every yogurt cup. Stonyfield Organic 100% Grassfed Whole Milk Yogurt is currently available throughout the U.S. at Whole Foods Markets. For more information, link HERE.

	HIGH-FIBER PROBIOTIC DRINKABLE YOGURT (posted February 25, 2016) Dairy Innovations introduces Fruzinga. Fruzinga is fat-free probiotic drinkable yogurt containing prebiotic fiber. A 7-ounce single-serve bottle of the flavored varieties contains 90 calories, 7 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, 10 grams of sugar and 7 grams of sugar alcohols. The product is sweetened with erythritol and stevia leaf extract. The drink gets a protein boost from milk protein concentrate. The five flavored varieties are: Black Cherry, Coconut Banana, Honey Vanilla, Peach and Strawberry.They contain no artifical colors or flavors. The flavored varieties, along with Plain, also come in a multi-serve 32-ounce bottle. For more information, link HERE.

	GREEK YOGURT GETS DECADENT CRUNCH (posted February 15, 2016) Dannon’s Oikos Greek yogurt now comes with a dome of premium inclusions. Oikos Crunch comes in four varieties. They are: Banana Peanut Butter Crunch—Banana cream-flavored yogurt with graham crackers, dark chocolate and peanut butter chips. Coconut Chocolate Crunch—Toasted coconut vanilla-flavored yogurt with graham crackers, dark chocolate and almonds. Key Lime Crumble—Key lime-flavored yogurt with graham crackers and white chocolate. Vanilla Almond—Vanilla-flavored yogurt with almonds. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 170 to 180 calories, 3.5 to 7 grams of fat and 11 to 13 grams of protein.

	GRANOLA GREEK YOGURT PARFAITS…ONE IS GLUTEN FREE (posted January 25, 2016) Tillamook has partnered with Bob’s Red Mill to launch six varieties of Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt Parfaits. The parfaits are made with 0% fat yogurt made from milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormone and either containing fruit or flavored with vanilla. Crunchy Bob’s Red Mill whole grain Oat Granola, including one gluten-free variety, is in the attached dome. The varieties are: Oregon Strawberry with Gluten Free Honey Oat Granola Washington Raspberry with Honey Oat Granola Oregon Blueberry with Honey Almond Granola Oregon Marionberry with Honey Oat Granola Old Fashioned Vanilla with Crunchy Coconut Granola Oregon Dark Cherry with Honey Almond Granola “We’re so excited to partner with our Oregon neighbor Bob’s Red Mill, a purpose-driven company that shares our philosophies about real food,” says Joe Prewett, director of product management and innovation at Tillamook. “It just makes sense to marry our products to create one convenient breakfast for our customers that contains high-quality, natural ingredients with more protein and whole grains.” Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt Parfaits are made with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Each 5.3-ounce container has a suggested retail price of $1.50. The parfaits are available in select markets in Arizona, Colorado, Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. For more information, link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other cultured dairy foods by linking to the January 22, 2016, blog entitled “Cultured Dairy Products: Trends 2016.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other cultured dairy foods by linking to the January 22, 2016, blog entitled “Cultured Dairy Products: Trends 2016.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other cultured dairy foods by linking to the January 22, 2016, blog entitled “Cultured Dairy Products: Trends 2016.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other cultured dairy foods by linking to the January 22, 2016, blog entitled “Cultured Dairy Products: Trends 2016.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other cultured dairy foods by linking to the January 22, 2016, blog entitled “Cultured Dairy Products: Trends 2016.” Link HERE.

	AUSSIE-STYLE YOGURT GROWS WITH HOT AND EXOTIC FRUIT FLAVORS (posted January 20, 2016) To kick off 2016, noosa yoghurt introduces new flavors to its lineup, as well as new sizes of established favorites. Three new flavors--Key Lime, Salted Caramel and limited-batch Blood Orange—are rolling out across the U.S. this month. In addition, new flavor Blackberry Serrano (blackberries and serrano chilies) is available only in noosa’s home state of Colorado. Blood Orange, Blackberry Serrano and Key Lime come in the brand’s signature clear-plastic 8-ounce tub and have a suggested retail price of $2.49. The company is also introducing new sizes of established flavor favorites. Raspberry, Strawberry Rhubarb and Vanilla are now all available in four packs of 4-ounce cups, which have a suggested retail price of $4.99. This is also the size in which Salted Caramel is making its debut. Noosa, an Aussie-style yogurt, is made using whole milk. The yogurts are lightly sweetened with golden Clover Alfalfa honey. For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT FOR YOUNGSTERS (posted January 11, 2016) General Mills introduces Annie’s Organic Whole Milk Yogurt. Sold in four-packs of 4-ounce cups, the yogurt comes in three varieties: Berry Patch, Summer Strawberry and Very Vanilla. The probiotic yogurt is described as being sweetened with organic fruit and a touch of cane sugar. Each 4-ounce cup contains 100 calories, 3 grams of fat, 12 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein. In September 2014, General Mills acquired Annie’s Inc., a company founded in 1989 with the same mission it has today: To cultivate a healthier, happier world by spreading goodness through nourishing foods, honest words and conduct that is considerate and forever kind to the planet. For more information, link HERE.

	HEAT MEETS SWEET IN THE YOGURT AISLE (posted January 6, 2016) Chobani is on trend for 2016 by adding hot peppers to its Flip line. Flip, the side-by-side yogurt designed for “flipping” flavorful inclusions into yogurt, has been very successful for Chobani this past year. The Greek yogurt leader is heating up the Flip platform with four new offerings: Chipotle Pineapple, Sriracha Mango, Peanut Butter & Jelly, and limited-batch Peppermint Perfection. The suggested retail price for a 5.3-ounce Flip container is $1.49. Other 2016 additions include: In the “mainstream” line: 16-ounce containers of 0% fat Plain, Whole Milk Honey and Whole Milk Vanilla; and 5.3-ounce containers of Raspberry (in a four-pack) and individual containers of limited-batch Apple Cinnamon and limited-batch Maple. The suggested retail prices are $3.29, $3.99 and $1.39, respectively. In the Simply 100 line, there are five new flavors: Blueberry Cookie Crumble, Mango Cone Crisp, Mixed Red Berry Blended, Strawberry Banana Blended and Strawberry Chocolate Truffle. The suggested retail price for each 5.3-ounce container is $1.39. For kids, there’s a new four-pack of 3.5-ounce pouches: Tots Apple. For more information, link HERE. To view a slideshow of all the new Chobani products, link HERE.

	ORGANIC SKYR COMES WITH CONVENIENT SPOON IN THE LID (posted December 28, 2015) Løgismose markets on-the-go skyr in Denmark and Sweden. This Icelandic-style yogurt is made with low-fat milk and has the consistency of strained yogurt. High in protein, Løgismose Organic Skyr comes in three flavor combinations: Black Currant & Beetroot; Mango, Passion Fruit & Ginger; and Pear, Quince and Vanilla. The skyr comes in a package with a spoon that’s integrated in the lid and placed under a self-adhesive peel-off label.

	OATMEAL MEETS GREEK YOGURT (posted December 21, 2015) General Mills plans to roll out Yoplait Plenti Oatmeal Greek yogurt in the New Year. The new 5.5-ounce oval-shaped (very novel for the yogurt category!) bowls blend nonfat Greek yogurt with oatmeal and fruits and natural flavors, joining the original Yoplait Plenti Greek yogurt line that debuted in June 2015, which includes whole grain oats, flax and pumpkin seeds. For more information, link HERE. Each serving of the new oatmeal line provides 170 to 180 calories, depending on variety, as well as 2 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein. The six varieties are: Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Maple Brown Sugar, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla. The protein comes from the cultured nonfat milk, while the fat and fiber comes from the oats. The line boasts the fact that it contains no artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

	INDULGENT LAYERED YOGURT GROWS WITH LIMITED-EDITION FLAVOR (posted December 15, 2015) Stonyfield introduces Oh My Yog! New England Maple flavor. The new limited-edition flavor is debuting just in time for National Maple Syrup Day on December 17 and will remain in distribution until March 2016. Made from organic whole milk and featuring maple syrup sourced from New Englanders who have a passion for making organic syrup, Oh My Yog! New England Maple is an everyday indulgence consumers can feel good about choosing, according to the company. Stonyfield’s Oh My Yog! line is known for its unique three-layer format. This variety is maple syrup on the bottom, honey-infused yogurt in the middle and a decadent layer of cream on top. “Oh My Yog! has been a big hit with consumers since we introduced the product earlier this year,” says Lizzie Conover, brand manager. “It’s the perfect blend of rich, satisfying flavors and wholesome organic whole milk. With the limited-edition New England Maple flavor, we are thrilled to celebrate seasonal ingredients found right here in our own backyard in New England.” Each 6-ounce container contains 180 calories, 5 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein. Easy to recognize in the yogurt aisle thanks to its colorfully striped packaging that was inspired by the three layers inside, the new limited-edition flavor joins five other decadent varieties: Apple Cinnamon, Gingered Pear, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Pacific Coast Strawberry and Wild Quebec Blueberry. For more information, link HERE.

	ICELANDIC YOGURT FATTENS UP (posted December 1, 2015) Smari Organic Icelandic Yogurt led the whole milk yogurt trend at the beginning of this year when the company introduced the first Whole Milk Organic Icelandic Yogurt to the U.S. market. The original offerings--Pure and Vanilla—are now joined by four new variants: Black Cherry Chia, Key Lime, New Orleans Coffee and Pineapple. Consumers have been moving away from low-fat only diets and asking for more full-fat dairy options. Although Icelandic yogurt has been traditionally made to be fat free, Smári is opting to give consumers what they want. Smári’s whole milk Icelandic yogurt is thicker, creamier, more satisfying and may help you feel full sooner and stay full longer, according to the company. Smári is the signature thykk yogurt (skyr) of Iceland since the 9th century that kept the Vikings strong through long dark winters. Founder Smári Ásmundsson learned the secrets of skyr-making from an 82-year-old dairyman from Egilsstaðir, who advised, “Get the best milk. Skim the fat. Add live cultures. Let it set. Strain the liquid. When it looks really thykk, strain even more.” It is thick. It takes four cups of milk to make one cup of Smari yogurt. Made with milk from organic, grass-fed, pastured Jersey and Guernsey cows, raised on small family farms, Smari is the only certified-organic Icelandic yogurt available in the U.S. For more information, link HERE.

	CANADIANS EMBRACE CONCENTRATED YOGURT; AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE LABEL IN U.S. (posted November 18, 2015) Ontario, Canada’s Shepherd Gourmet Dairy uses modern technology to product skyr. According to the company’s website, the Icelandic-style yogurt known as skyr was traditionally manufactured by fermenting skim milk and then transferring it into cloth bags for draining off the whey. The curd or skyr is drained until the desired solids content has been reached. Present day technology involves a centrifugal process that separates the whey from the curd to reach the desired solids content, according to the website. A microbial enzyme is added to give the product a heavier body and the desired texture. It’s a very efficient process, as the solids are the skyr and the whey is sold to hog farms where it supplies them with sugar, protein and other solids to supplement feed. Less than a year ago, Shepherd Gourmet Dairy introduced the first and still only skyr Icelandic-style yogurt to the Canadian marketplace. “It quickly developed a cult-like following,” said Emily Wight, sales manager. Because of its success, the company decided to make it available for private label, along with its Greek and sheep’s milk yogurt. Shepherd Gourmet currently produces three varieties—plain, strawberry and vanilla—of skyr under its namesake brand. It comes in 500-gram plastic tubs with a 175-gram serving providing 20 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE. To read an article in Food Business News on similar ethnic-style yogurts, link HERE.

	DRINKABLE YOGURT BRAND GROWS WITH ETHNIC-CENTRIC FOCUSED FLAVORS (posted November 17, 2015) Colombia’s Alpina Productos Alimenticios grows its U.S. platform with new Hispanic dairy foods. One of the many innovations that the company showcased at the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s annual trade show, held Nov. 15-17 in Rosemont, Ill., was a line of drinkable yogurt smoothies. With U.S. headquarters in Doral, Fla., the company plans to grow its brand with products designed for U.S. Hispanics as well as adventurous Millennials seeking ethnic flavor sensations. The low-fat drinkable yogurt line now includes Guanabana, Guava and Plain, joining Mango, Peach, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. The drinks come in 7-fluid-ounce plastic bottles and are sold in the refrigerated beverage and dairy case. A serving contains 120 to 130 calories, depending on flavor, as well as delivers 7 grams of protein.

	PREMIUM CULTURED DAIRY PACKAGED IN GLASS JARS (posted November 9, 2015) Riviera introduces Petite Pot culinary products. This Quebec, Canada-artisan dairy invites consumers to discover how little clear glass jars can pack a lot of taste with the launch of Petit Pot, a new line of yogurts and culinary products inspired by French cuisine. Available in grocery stores across Canada, the new products combine the savoir-faire of Laiterie Chalifoux, producer of the brand Riviera, and current culinary trends. With four generations of experience, Laiterie Chalifoux is one of Quebec’s great entrepreneurial successes. Under the Riviera brand, it established itself as a dairy trend setter, launching innovative products, and demonstrating a focus on craftsmanship, from the choice of ingredients to the fine details of the packaging. The Petit Pot product line includes three varieties of yogurts--or yogourts, in French—as well as a crème fraiche, a sour cream and three cultured butters, all presented in the new Petit Pot, made of glass. The jars are 100% recyclable and reusable. Petit Pot harkens back to the old-fashioned glass bottles used for dairy products but is inspired by current products popular in Europe. The three varieties of yogurt all come in four packs of 120 gram jars. The varieties are: Set-style Yogourt with probiotics. This 2% milkfat yogurt has a thick, creamy texture and comes in Coconut, Lemon, Plain and Vanilla varieties. Organic Yogourt with probiotics. This 2% milkfat yogurt has a rich, creamy texture with real fruit pieces at the bottom and comes in four-European inspired flavors: Apricot, Fig, Nuts and Rhubarb. Goat Milk Yogourt. This set-style yogurt with 9% milkfat is made with ultra-filtered skim goat milk and comes in two varieties: vanilla yogurt or plain with strawberry coulis. The Petite Pot line also includes: Crème fraiche with 35% milkfat comes in a two-pack of 120-milliliter jars. Sour Cream with 14% milkfat comes in a two-pack of 120-milliliter jars. Cultured Butter comes in unsalted or slightly seasoned with sea salt crystals varieties. The butter is packed in 125-gram ramekins. Goat Milk Butter comes in small 125-gram ramekins For more information, link HERE.

	PREMIUM WHOLE MILK ORGANIC YOGURT IN UNIQUE FLAVORS (posted November 3, 2015) Springfield Creamery introduces Nancy’s Sweet Cream Organic Yogurt. Sold in-8-ounce flat tubs with opaque see thru cups, the honey-sweetened yogurt comes in five varieties: Blackberry & Plum, Blueberry & Pomegranate, Cherry & Lime, Honey and Strawberry & Lemon. Lids tout the inclusion of probiotic cultures, with side panels specifying Chr. Hansen’s proprietary BB-12 (Bifidobacterium lactis) and LA-5 (lactobacillus acidophilus) strains. A single-cup serving contains about 250 calories, 10 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	DRINKABLE YOGURT GETS CAFFEINATED (posted October 26, 2015) Powerful Yogurt rolls out a natural energy-enhanced drinkable yogurt and a few other noteworthy innovations. The Miami-based innovator is rolling out Powerful Yogurt Mocha Double Espresso protein drink. This Greek-yogurt based beverage was developed in response to consumer demand for an all-natural protein drink that offers an all-natural energy enhancement component. Made with 100% Colombian coffee, a single-serve 12-ounce bottle contains 170 calories, 4 grams of fat and 135 milligrams of caffeine, which is the caffeine equivalent of two shots of espresso. The company is also adding an all-natural coconut flavor to its high-protein Powerful Yogurt Drink lineup. Both new products contain 20 grams of natural protein thanks to the drinks’ signature Greek yogurt base. Mocha Double Espresso and Coconut join existing Powerful Yogurt Drink flavors: Chocolate, Blueberry Açai and Vanilla Maple. An impressive endeavor by the company is taking place this month: Project Pink. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), the company featured a special pink cup for its strawberry Greek yogurts. The effort recognizes Powerful Yogurt Founder and CEO Carlos Ramirez’ mother, Berenice Zavarce, who is currently fighting breast cancer. “Project Pink is a deeply personal effort for me and for many of us at Powerful Yogurt,” says Ramirez. “For me, seeing my mother’s courage and grace in the face of breast cancer is a daily reminder of the thousands of women just like her who are giving their all to beat this disease. My sincere hope is that with every pink cup we have on the shelf, we not only contribute to an eventual but that we also provide encouragement to everyone affected by breast cancer.” (I’m praying for you, Ms. Zavarce, and all others facing this disease. I lost my mother to breast cancer more than 30 years ago, when I was 15. Together, we can beat this…hopefully sooner than later.) For more information on Powerful Yogurt, link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the October 16, 2015, blog entitled “Anuga 2015 Report: Innovations in Yogurt, Cultured Dairy Foods and Dairy Desserts—It’s all about Clean Label.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the October 16, 2015, blog entitled “Anuga 2015 Report: Innovations in Yogurt, Cultured Dairy Foods and Dairy Desserts—It’s all about Clean Label.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the October 16, 2015, blog entitled “Anuga 2015 Report: Innovations in Yogurt, Cultured Dairy Foods and Dairy Desserts—It’s all about Clean Label.” Link HERE.

	You can read more about this product and other yogurt products by linking to the October 16, 2015, blog entitled “Anuga 2015 Report: Innovations in Yogurt, Cultured Dairy Foods and Dairy Desserts—It’s all about Clean Label.” Link HERE.

	THREE-LAYER PREMIUM YOGURT (posted October 12, 2015) Bauer introduces indulgent yogurt with decadent ingredients. According to this German dairy, the demand for premium and indulgent dairy foods continues to grow, which was the inspiration behind new Bauer Premium. Described as a little luxury, this indulgent layered (5% milkfat) yogurt comes in four combinations: Panna cotta-flavored yogurt on top of a strawberry-vanilla layer. The dome cup contains chocolate covered crunchy flakes. Stracciatella-flavored yogurt on top of a cherry layer. The dome cup contains chocolate curls. Caramel-mocha flavored-yogurt on top of a layer of caramel. The dome cup contains cappuccino-flavored crunchy balls. Madagascar vanilla-flavored yogurt on top of a raspberry layer. The dome cup contains amaretto-flavored crunchy balls. The 125-gram (including topping) single-serve containers are adorned with “noble” graphics to communicate the product’s premium positioning. The yogurts made their debut at Anuga, which is taking place this week in Cologne, Germany. They will hit store shelves in January 2016.

	LEFTOVER YOGURT (posted October 7, 2015) U.K.-based Yeo Valley Farms offers an innovative yogurt variant that cuts down on the dairy’s waste. What began as an April Fool’s joke has turned into a limited-edition yogurt produced on an as-needed basis…that is, as the dairy needs to use up ingredient inventory. Called Left-Yeovers, the company develops flavors using ingredient leftovers that would otherwise be discarded. The most recent offering combines unused carrot juice, orange juice and figs from the manufacturer’s freezers. The Left-Yeovers concept was initially dreamt up by a worker at the dairy company for a joke, but was adopted for a limited-edition production run in a bid to cut down on food waste, according to a Yeo Valley spokeswoman, as reported by The Grocer. “With more than 4.2 million tons of food wasted by U.K. households each year, our aim is to show what amazing recipes you can make when you get creative with leftovers,” she was quoted. The company also recently introduced Limited-Edition Papaya and Lime yogurt, which blends organic red papayas grown in southwest India with a touch of lime juice in whole milk yogurt. For more information, link HERE.

	SAVORY YOGURT WITH PUFFED LENTIL INCLUSIONS (posted September 23, 2015) The Chaat Company makes its debut at Expo East. The new company’s innovative product concept is based on the “street food” of India, which is the translation of chaat. Co-founders Shiraz Noor, the culinary expert, and Anshu Dua, the business developer, wanted to introduce Americans to savory yogurt salad blends frequently sold from vendors on the streets of India and consumed as snacks throughout the day. The two business partners developed Savory Yogurt Snack in four varieties: Cucumber Mint, Ginger, Mango Chili and Tamarind Date. The 5.3-ounce cups are basically inverted layered salads that consumers mix up for a hearty combination. The bottom layer combines fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and sea salts. This is visible through the clear-bottom serving container. This gets topped with whole milk probiotic yogurt made from New York grass-fed cows. The cup has a separate dome container of crunchy, spiced lentil puffs that the two co-founders developed. The puffs are made from only four simple ingredients: lentil flour, sea salt, cumin and turmeric. This product embraces the “mostly plant-based” dietary recommendations, which are neither vegan not vegetarian. It’s all about combining high-quality, complete dairy protein with sustainable plant proteins. Each single-serve container delivers 6 grams of protein from milk and lentils. A serving contains 100 to 140 calories, 4 to 4.5 grams of fat and 6 to 13 grams of sugar (no added sugar), depending on variety. Savory Yogurt Snack will be available this fall in the New York region, in both specialty and mainstream retail channels, as well as fast-casual foodservice concepts. For more information, link HERE.

	FRUIT & VEGGIE YOGURT FOR KIDS (posted September 14, 2015) Private-label retailer Aldi introduces new Friendly Farms Fruit & Veggie Blended Lowfat Yogurt Cups to the U.S. marketplace. Each four-pack of 4-ounce cups contains two Banana Pumpkin and two Strawberry Beet varieties. Each single serving contains 90 calories, 1 gram of fat, 12 grams of sugar and 3 grams of protein. The latter comes from the addition of whey. The yogurts are fortified with vitamins A and D.

	LIGHT GREEK YOGURT GETS LAYERED WITH CHOCOLATE (posted September 7, 2015) The Dannon Company shows consumers, again, that chocolate goes great with Greek yogurt. Almost a year ago, Dannon introduced Oikos Chocolate On Top and Oikos Caramel On Top Greek yogurts. Read more about them HERE. Now, the company is taking the chocolate indulgence feature and adding it to the Light & Fit Greek line. New Dannon Light & Fit Chocolate on Top comes in 5-ounce cups, with each portion providing 100 calories and 11 grams of protein. The nonfat Greek yogurt, which comes in Banana, Cherry, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors, is topped with a dollop of smooth, creamy chocolate sauce. For more information, link HERE.

	PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY FINDS ITS WAY INTO GREEK YOGURT (posted September 3, 2015) Trader Joe’s introduces first-of-its-kind yogurt flavor. Just in time for back-to-school, the private-label retailer introduces Peanut Butter & Jelly with Nonfat Greek Yogurt. The ingredient legend lists pasteurized skim milk as the first ingredient, followed by a peanut butter and strawberry jelly base. The blended yogurt does not show any identifiable peanuts or peanut butter. There are a few strawberry seeds dispersed throughout the tannish-colored yogurt. A 5.3-ounce bowl contains 170 calories, 6 grams of fat (from the peanut butter) and 14 grams of both sugar and protein.

	GREEK YOGURT GETS “SUPERIZED” WITH GRAINS AND SEEDS (posted August 31, 2015) Stonyfield introduces Super Grains and Super Seeds. The new organic yogurt lines each have three variants. Super Grains comes in Maple, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors. The maple variant contains real organic maple syrup, while vanilla is naturally flavored. Strawberry comes loaded with the namesake fruit. Each combines nonfat Greek yogurt with buckwheat and quinoa. Super Seeds comes in Blueberry, Coconut and Orange-Cranberry. The coconut variant is naturally flavored, whereas the others contain real organic fruit. Each combines nonfat Greek yogurt with softened flax seed. All six offerings come in 5.3-ounce bowls, where the bottom is clear, so that consumers can see what’s inside. A single-bowl serving contains 140 to 150 calories and 17 to 20 grams of sugar, depending on variety. Each also contains almost no fat, just under a gram of fiber and 13 grams of protein—from both dairy and plant sources. The product line is currently exclusive to Target and part of the retail giant’s “made to matter—handpicked by Target” brand. For more information about Target’s program, link HERE. For more information on the product line, link HERE. To read more about innovative yogurt concepts, link HERE.

	PRIVATE-LABEL AUSSIE-STYLE YOGURT ENTERS U.S. MARKET (posted August 24, 2015) Aldi introduces new high-protein yogurt concept. The private-label retailer now offers Friendly Farms brand 8-ounce squat clear-plastic containers of Aussie-style yogurt. Lid labels describe the yogurt as: Gourmet, Tangy, Sweet. Each container provides 280 or 290 calories, 10 or 11 grams of fat and 14 grams of protein. Initial flavors are: Blueberry and Strawberry Rhubarb. The clear cups showcase the large amounts of real fruit included in the yogurt. The gluten-free yogurts contain seven cultures, including probiotics.

	GRASS-FED WHOLE MILK YOGURT (posted August 20, 2015) Sierra Nevada Cheese Co., introduces Graziers Yogurt, which is made with milk from local grass-fed cows. The non-homogenized whole milk yogurts feature organic fruit and all clean ingredients. The company’s philosophy of minimal processing allows for a delicious layer of cream to form on the top of every cup, according to the company. The 6-ounce single-serve cups come in four varieties—Blueberry, Plain, Strawberry and Vanilla—all containing 120 calories and 6 grams of both fat and protein. Plain and Vanilla also come in multi-serve family-size 24-ounce tubs. Graziers Yogurts contain good-for-you omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid as a result of using milk only from Certified Graziers Cows who live on pasture year round. For more information, link HERE.

	OLIVE OIL-BASED FLAVORS GROW NEW SAVORY YOGURT LINE (posted August 13, 2015) Sohha Savory Yogurt expands its labneh-style yogurts with new flavors. Since its debut in May 2013, Sohha Yogurt has become known in the New York metro area as the one-of-a-kind savory yogurt made from just three simple ingredients: locally sourced milk, probiotic cultures and sea salt. Developed by the husband and wife team of John and Angela Fout when their daughter was six months old and they were dissatisfied with the too-sweet yogurt options in the marketplace, Sohha Yogurt made its debut in two varieties: Original and Tangy. The company initially sold its products direct to consumers at farmers markets and at its flagship booth at Chelsea Market. This direct-to-consumer model allowed Sohha to serve its yogurt with toppings or as a main ingredient in a number of innovative Mediterranean dishes. These combinations inspired the company to roll out two flavored options--Everything Bagel and Za’atar & Sumac—at this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show. The new flavors combine seeds, pine nuts and spices with extra virgin olive oil, for a unique, flavorful twist. The products are now available in a growing number of retail shops, with distribution expanding up and down the East Coast. “Working with shops around New York City metropolitan area offers an advantage,” said Angela Fout. “It introduces our product to a new audience who may not shop at farmers markets on Saturday or visit Chelsea Market, but are interested in discovering high-quality, pure and wholesome products. Many of our retail partners feature local producers like us.” Sohha also offers beverages such as Mango Lassi, Probiotic Whey Lemonade, Whey and Wildberry Lassi. For those who cannot consume dairy, the company produces other Middle Eastern favorites including handcrafted baba ghanouj and hummus. All offerings follow Angela’s Lebanese family’s centuries-old recipes. The original yogurts come in three sizes: 6, 16 and 32 ounces. Prices are, $4, $10 and $18, respectively. The new savory flavors come in an 8-ounce container and retail for $7.99. For more information, link HERE.

	GRASS-FED MILK YOGURT (posted August 10, 2015) Organic Valley, the U.S.’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and a leading organic brand, introduces Organic Valley Grassmilk Yogurt, which is made from Organic Valley Grassmilk. This milk is produced by cows that are 100% grass-fed, with no supplemental feed, grain or soybeans in their diet, just lush, fresh pasture and dried forages, according to the company. Crafted in small batches, the yogurt is minimally processed, cream-on-the-top yogurt made from non-homogenized whole milk. Nutritionally, Organic Valley Grassmilk Yogurt is flowing with naturally occurring calcium, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids. Consumer demand for organic, grass-fed yogurt is exploding. The category is experiencing 82% dollar growth, more than three times the growth of yogurt without the “grass-fed” claim, according to SPINS data for the 52 weeks ended 3/22/2015. This information includes private label. Organic Valley Grassmilk Yogurt comes in Plain and Vanilla flavors, with a suggested retail price of $5.29 per 24-ounce tub. For more information, link HERE.

	WHOLE MILK KEFIR IN U.S. MARKET (posted August 3, 2015) Wallaby introduces Organic Whole Milk Kefir. Wallaby Yogurt Co., a family-owned producer of organic yogurt, is launching four varieties of Wallaby Organic Whole Milk Kefir, adding to an already successful line of seven organic low-fat kefir products. The familiarity and awareness of kefir, which is like a drinkable yogurt with special probiotic cultures, has been on the rise recently, according to the company. More and more consumers are discovering the health benefits of kefir along with the satiating and deliciousness of whole milk dairy products. “Since the successful launches of both our Organic Lowfat Kefir line and our Organic Whole Milk Greek Yogurt line, we’ve received numerous consumer and retailer requests for whole milk kefir,” says Ellie Wells, vice president of marketing. “The decision to give our consumers what they wanted was easy. We’re certain that both adults and children alike will enjoy the deliciously creamy and mild taste of this new product line. And not only does it taste amazing, but with 13 live and active cultures, it has all the probiotic benefits of kefir as well.” As with all of the company’s products, the new kefir is made using fresh organic milk from local pasture-based family farms and premium organic fruit. The while milk kefir comes in four varieties—Cherry, Peach, Plain and Strawberry--in 32-ounce plastic bottles. The suggested retail price is $4.99. For more information, link HERE.

	LASSI DRINKS DEBUT IN U.K. (posted July 27, 2015) The Lashbrook Lassis range rolls out in three unique flavor combinations. Manufactured in Oxfordshire, the traditional Indian yogurt, spice and fruit drinks, with a flavorful twist, are the result of the company’s founders’ travels through India. Lashbrook Lassis come in three varieties: Pear, Spinach and Ginger; Coffee, Pistachio and Cardamom; and Beetroot, Fig and Cinnamon. The company has many more flavors in the pipeline and plans to introduce them as soon as the brand gets more established. The drinks combine creamy local yogurt with original blends of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices for a healthy and sophisticated nutrient-packed beverage. The company was awarded best drink product at Caffé Culture 2015, held at Olympia London in early May. For more information, link HERE.

	DESSERT-INSPIRED DUAL-COMPARTMENT YOGURTS (posted July 22, 2015) Müller Quaker Dairy introduces decadent yogurt with benefits. The Dessert-Inspired line features creamy, signature Müller yogurt on top of a layer of fruit or caramel in one compartment, served with goodies on the side. The four varieties are: Dulce De Leche Delight: Low-fat vanilla yogurt over a caramel sauce with a side of crunchy hazelnuts and waffle crisps Peach Cobbler: Low-fat yogurt over juicy peach pieces with a side of crunchy pecan clusters Raspberry Brownie Supreme: Low-fat yogurt over tart raspberries with a side of chewy brownie pieces Strawberry Cheesecake: Low-fat cheesecake-flavored yogurt over strawberries with a side of graham crumble Each 150-gram container provides 200 to 220 calories, 4 to 6 grams of fat and 7 to 8 grams of protein, depending on variety. For more information, link HERE.

	VIKING ICELANDIC YOGURT LANDS IN THE STATES (posted July 15, 2015) Family-owned Saga Dairy makes grass-fed milk skyr. Saga Dairy is a husband- and wife-owned dairy headquartered in Boston. The company manufactures Viking Icelandic Yogurt, the only 6-ounce container of Icelandic yogurt, also known as skyr, made in America. For more information about the growing popularity of skyr, link HERE. The non-fat yogurt is made using milk sourced from grass-fed cows from the couple’s 150-year-old family farm just outside Chicago. The family previously had a dairy farm in England dating back to at least the 13th century, where the family “learned the dairy trade from the Vikings.” The Vikings brought yogurt and dairy from Scandinavia through Iceland to the shores of North America on their longboats. It is how this part of the world was introduced to yogurt, according to the company. The product sources ingredients that allow for label claims such as gluten free, non-GMO and kosher. Varieties are: Blueberry, Cucumber Mint, Pure, Strawberry and Vanilla. Each 6-ounce single-serve cup contains 115 to 135 calories, 5 to 11 grams of sugar and 16 to 19 grams of protein, depending on variety. Product containers carry the taglines: “More Protein Than Sugar” and “America’s First Yogurt.” Both are trademarked. For more information, link HERE.

	BLENDED COWS AND SHEEP MILK YOGURT (posted July 9, 2015) Balkan Treasures introduces Yo Bul! yogurts. The premium Plain Yogurt variety is made from 100% sheep milk. The Flavored Selection line is comprised of a 50/50 blend of grass-fed sheep and whole cows milk. The line debuted in three flavors: Coconut, Orange and Raspberry. Flavors coming soon include Blueberry, Lemon, Peach and Rose. The small-batch, hand-crafted yogurts come in 6-ounce cups, with Plain retailing for about $3.00 and the flavored versions having a suggested retail price of $2.40. The flavored varieties are made with 100% organic ingredients and sweetened with 100% organic stevia. The high-protein yogurts are fermented using live and active cultures sourced directly from Bulgaria. For more information, link HERE.

	YORKSHIRE YOGURT RANGE ROLLS OUT IN THE U.K. (posted July 1, 2015) Known for its cheese, The Wensleydale Creamery enters the yogurt category. The company introduced the luxury Yorkshire Yogurt range in early June. The yogurt is produced using Yorkshire milk and features a premium-quality fruit layer. There are four varieties: Lemon Curd, Rhubarb & Vanilla, Strawberry & Raspberry and Toffee Apple. Packaged in pots designed to highlight the fruit layer, the striking designs also proudly showcase the Wensleydale Creamery’s British dairy credentials displaying the Union Jack flag, coupled with four distinct colored lids to aid shelf standout. “It’s an exciting time for the brand with the addition of our new yogurts to the Wensleydale Creamery product portfolio,” says David Hartley, Managing Director of The Wensleydale Creamery. “We spotted a clear gap in the market for a luxury Yorkshire Yogurt range with a focus on premium quality and a naturally creamy taste.” “The Wensleydale Creamery is a trusted dairy brand that is renowned for quality and great taste,” he says. “We are following on from the success of our award-winning Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, and more recently butter, which has been well received by consumers in the wider dairy category. Our research clearly illustrated that consumers desire a luxury yogurt delivering great taste and flavor, without the need to add cream.” For more information, link HERE.

	PLENTIFUL GREEK YOGURT BOWLS (posted June 15, 2015) General Mills introduces Yoplait Plenti, a new way to enjoy nonfat Greek yogurt. Yoplait Plenti blends Greek yogurt with fruits (except the vanilla variant), whole grain oats, flax and pumpkin seeds. At 5.5 ounces, the single-serve containers are a little larger than standard Greek yogurt cups, which are 5.3 ounces. Each serving provides 140 to 150 calories and 1.5 to 2 grams of fat, depending on variety, as well as 1 gram of fiber, 12 grams of sugar and 12 grams of protein. The eight varieties are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Coconut, Peach, Raspberry, Spiced Apple, Strawberry and Vanilla. The protein comes from the cultured nonfat milk and the grains and seeds. The fat and fiber come from the grains and seeds. Fruit and vegetable extract is a source of natural color. For more information, link HERE.

	A GREEK DAIRY CASE ADVENTURE (posted June 9, 2015) Karoun Dairies expands its Blue Isle brand beyond spreads and yogurt drinks. In early 2014, Karoun Dairies livened up the spreads category with Blue Isle Mediterranean Yogurt Spreads. Similar in consistency to cream cheese, the spreads debuted in five varieties: Blueberry, French Onion, Honey, Original and Spicy Vegetable. The well-received product line is growing with the addition of a Strawberry variety. To read more about the spreads line, link HERE. Earlier this year, the company launched Blue Isle Mediterranean Yogurt Drinks in 8-ounce bottles. At IDDBA, the company rolled out a multi-serve 32-ounce bottle. These smooth, all-natural yogurt drinks have the added benefit of 10 live and active cultures. They are loaded with protein, low in fat and a source of beneficial probiotic cultures. To read more about the spreads and drinks, as well as other cultured dairy product trends, link HERE. At IDDBA, the company rolled out new Blue Isle Mediterranean Greek Yogurts, Blue Isle Feta Cheeses and Blue Isle Sour Cream. Blue Isle Mediterranean Greek Yogurt is smooth and creamy Greek yogurt made with fresh California milk and contains live probiotic cultures that aid digestion. The yogurt comes in in Plain Non-Fat and Plain Full-Fat as well as four flavors: Honey, Honey Coconut, Honey Blueberry and Honey Vanilla. The yogurts come in 5.3-ounce single-serve containers, as well as 24-ounce multi-serve containers. The suggested retail price for the single-serve container is $1.00 to $1.25. The larger size goes for $3.99 to $4.99, Added whey protein concentrate allows for a protein content of 5 to 7 grams per serving. Blue Isle Mediterranean Feta Cheese is made with a blend of cows and goats milk and has been aged and cured in brine to achieve a tangy, yet delicate taste. Blue Isle Mediterranean Sour Cream is made with all natural ingredients in the Mediterranean old-country style with no stabilizers, just cream and cultures. It comes in two varieties: Original and Lite. For more information, link HERE.

	SIDE-BY-SIDE GREEK 100 YOGURT (posted June 3, 2015) Müller Quaker Dairy enters the Greek 100 yogurt category. The dual-compartment contains a side of nonfat yogurt and a side of fruit. With only 100 calories, the sugar content is 12 to 13 grams as a result of the fruit being sweetened with sugar and no-calorie sucralose. Each 5.3-ounce serving provides 10 grams of protein, which is achieved through the addition of milk protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate. The four flavors are: Blackberry & Raspberry, Black Cherry & Pomegranate, Peach & Passion Fruit and Strawberry. For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT DRINK WITH GRANOLA SHOT (posted June 1, 2015) Slingshot Foods patents unique package for drinkable high-protein yogurt. Developed by a former refrigerated smoothie yogurt executive who wanted a macronutrient-dense, simple ingredient portable breakfast, Slingshot is a yogurt protein drink with a crunchy shot wrapped around the bottle neck and intended for the consumer to pour into the yogurt, shake and drink. That shot is a patented plastic stick pouch filled with chia seeds, rolled oats and toasted almond bits. It contributes 3 grams of fiber and 600 milligrams of the omega-3 alpha linolenic acid to the beverage. The beverage is made with low-fat yogurt enhanced with milk protein concentrate and sweetened with agave. A serving contains 295 to 355 calories, 10 to 11 grams of fat and 18 to 20 grams of protein, depending on variety. There are five varieties: Blueberry, Peach, Simply Plain, Strawberry and Vanilla Bean. The product has been available for about a year and a half in the San Francisco Bay area with distribution plans to be national. A 12-ounce single-serving plastic bottle retails for $3.99 to $4.29. For more information, link HERE.

	DESSERT-STYLE SIDE-BY-SIDE GREEK YOGURT (posted May 28, 2015) Chobani introduces new waistline-friendly Greek yogurts designed to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooth. The new offerings come under the brand’s Flip line, which features a side-by-side compartment, one containing yogurt the other containing the sweet mix-ins. Coffee Break Bliss is coffee low-fat yogurt with biscotti pieces and chocolate. (190 calories, 5 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein) Peanut Butter Dream is vanilla low-fat yogurt with honey-roasted peanuts, peanut butter clusters and milk chocolate. (210 calories, 7 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein) Strawberry Summer Crisp is strawberry low-fat yogurt with graham crackers and white chocolate. (190 calories, 5 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein) The products sport updated packaging that emphasizes health claims, which is part of Chobani’s new “Love This Life” ad campaign. The campaign includes claims such as “Only Natural, Non-GMO Ingredients” and “40% Less Sugar than Regular Fruit Yogurt.” The new creative platform and campaign center on “To love this life is to live it naturally.” The Love This Life campaign, which debuted on May 1, 2015, is fully integrated across all channels, from broadcast to social to shopper marketing. “We’re a brand based on the belief that when you live naturally, you live more fully,” said Peter McGuinness, chief marketing and brand officer. “Today, we’re aligning our marketing even closer to that belief, going beyond our naturally delicious food to also focus on the values that define us as a company and the humble but important role we hope to play in consumers’ lives. It takes us beyond food, and moves us more into the lifestyle space while capturing some of our Mediterranean spirit and soul.” Authentic, real-life moments are the backbone of a series of modern American stories that connect the brand’s values to its fans’ values. The story begins with the campaign’s anthem spot, introducing a mom, dad and their two kids and the relationship they share, all set against the backdrop of their family farm. You can view it HERE. Two more stories follow the same family and the simple moments they share with each other and their natural surroundings. You can view them HERE and HERE. For more information, link HERE.

	DELICIOUSLY FRENCH, AUTHENTICALLY GREEK (posted May 21, 2015) Yoplait introduces Bon Appetit, a new Greek yogurt and fruit snack, in Australia. To view a commercial portraying the product as “deliciously French, authentically Greek,” link HERE. Yoplait said market research it conducted indicated almost 90% of Australians would like to snack healthier, but prefer the taste of unhealthy snacks. The brand, which is part of food and beverage company Lion’s portfolio, said the new snack product was developed with this research in mind. “Australians are increasingly mindful of what they’re eating, but they’re also not willing to give up on taste,” says Emily Spicer-Stuart, marketing manager-Yoplait. “We found that almost 80% of Australians feel guilty after eating an unhealthy afternoon snack, and we don’t want it to be this way. We’ve helped out with the tasty versus healthy battle so Australians can enjoy a delicious snack that’s only 110 calories, without the guilt.” Bon Appetit comes in 140-gram single-serve tubs. A serving contains no fat and 10 grams of protein. There are five varieties: Blueberry, Mango, Passionfruit, Strawberry and Raspberry.

	YOGURT WITH 25% LESS SUGAR AND MORE PROTEIN AND MILKFAT (posted May 11, 2015) General Mills announces that all 25 varieties in its Yoplait Original yogurt line now have 25% less sugar, which is the result of more than 70 employees working for three years on a variety of product improvements. In order to reduce the sugar, the team included additional milk and changed the natural flavorings. The changes resulted in a Yoplait Original that tastes slightly less sweet, but has a taste the team is confident consumers will love. Yoplait Original still contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors. This is the latest effort by the company to provide consumers with better-for-you products. It follows Yoplait’s removal of high fructose corn syrup and its discontinued use of dairy with rBGH/rBST growth hormone in 2009. Previously a 6-ounce cup had 170 calories, 5 grams of protein and 1.5 grams of fat. Now the same serving size has 150 calories, 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fat, all from dairy. “Our consumers are our top priority, and when they voiced concerns over the amount of sugar in our products we were determined to find a solution,” says Susan Pitt, marketing manager for Yoplait. “We understand that making good nutritional choices isn’t always easy. With less sugar, fewer calories and more protein per cup, we have no doubt that our renovated line of Yoplait Original yogurts will make it easier than ever for our consumers to feel good about their daily yogurt choice.” Determined to deliver on their brand promise, Yoplait is offering a taste guarantee for Yoplait Original with reduced sugar. Any unsatisfied customer can mail in their Yoplait Original receipt to receive a refund (up to 88 cents). The product will begin rolling out June 1, 2015, and has a suggested retail price of 75 cents. For more information, link HERE.

	YOGURT MADE WITH REAL COFFEE (posted April 14, 2015) Alpina Foods is launching the first-ever line of yogurt infused with real coffee called Alpina Café Selections. The new line-up includes four varieties: Caramel Macchiato, Coffee, Mocha and Vanilla Latte. The combination of smooth creamy Greek yogurt and the robust bold taste of real coffee makes Alpina Café Selection a perfect addition to anyone’s morning or afternoon routine, according to the company. The yogurts include real Colombian coffee and not coffee flavoring. An excellent source of calcium, Café Selections also includes protein (12 grams) and caffeine (30 to 50 milligrams) and has only 120 calories per 5.3-ounce cup. “Thirty-four percent of Americans drinks coffee, higher than soda consumption. Specialty coffee makes up a large percentage of this growth, which is why we decided to launch Alpina Café Selections,” says Gustavo Badino, general manager. “We are always looking to innovate in the dairy aisle. Once we found a recipe that tasted just like the consumer’s favorite flavor and were able to include actual Colombian coffee, we knew we had a unique product the consumer would want and enjoy.” For more information, link HERE.

	JUICY OATS + GREEK YOGURT + FRUIT (posted April 8, 2015) Zen Monkey LLC is rolling out a namesake product that combines apple juice-infused rolled oats, diced fruit and Greek yogurt in a pre-mixed, ready-to-eat cup. Nonfat Greek yogurt is the first ingredient. The product uses real diced or whole fruit and comes in five varieties: Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Peach, Pineapple Coconut and Strawberry. Each 5.3-ounce cup carries the tagline of “breakfast solved.” A serving contains 180 to 190 calories, 1.5 to 2.5 grams of fat, 12 to 15 grams of sugar and 2 to 3 grams of fiber, depending on variety. Each serving also provides 9 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	STEEL-CUT OATS AND FRUIT (posted March 23, 2015) Yoatz combines Greek yogurt, whole fruit and oats. Introduced at Expo West, organic Yoatz comes in six varieties: Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry Flax, Banana Cinnamon, Original, Peach and Strawberry Chia. Each 5.3-ounce single-serve cup contains no fat, 11 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and a mere 6 grams of sugar. Described as “sugared responsibly,” the Original variety is slightly sweetened with honey and brown sugar. The fruit varieties rely on honey and stevia. The fiber comes from the steel cut oats and oat fiber, and with some varieties, also the chia or flax. Product claims include heart healthy, kosher, organic, gluten free, low sodium, good source of fiber and no added colors, pectin, preservatives or stabilizers. For more information, link HERE.

	KEFIR GETS A PROTEIN BOOST (posted March 11, 2015) Lifeway Foods Inc., puts the power of protein behind its kefir products with new Lifeway Protein Kefir, a line extension designed to aid in muscle recovery after exercise. It’s one of a series of new products that were showcased at Lifeway’s booth at Natural Products Expo West. Other new innovations included a no-sugar-added ProBugs probiotic smoothie for kids, a limited-edition Lowfat Watermelon Kefir for summer and a 16-ounce size of nine standard Lifeway kefir and organic kefir flavors. Lifeway Protein Kefir comes in a 16-fluid-ounce bottle, which is two servings. A single serving contains 20 grams of protein. (There are 11 grams naturally occurring in the milk. The 9-gram boost comes from added whey protein.) A serving also contains a mere 160 calories and no fat. The cultured milk smoothie has Lifeway’s trademark tart and tangy taste from the 12 live and active probiotic cultures. It’s a probiotic-plus-protein punch that not only leverages the carbohydrates in the kefir to increase protein absorption, but also provides the immunity-enhancing benefits of probiotics to help keep both casual exercisers and serious athletes in the game, according to the company. Varieties are: Banana, Mixed Berry and Vanilla. The new kefir creations are the latest additions to Lifeway’s menu of “Good for more than just you” products, fitting the theme of the company’s recently launched ad campaign. Made with a focus on sustainability, sourcing local and regional milk free from synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics and using non-genetically modified ingredients, all 14 new Lifeway SKUs complement the company’s mission to make high-quality probiotic products accessible to all. For more information, link HERE.

	REFRIGERATED YOGURT IS A SLAM DUNK (posted March 2, 2015) Alpina Foods introduces Alpina NBA All-Stars Yogurt, which is creamy, low-fat vanilla-flavored yogurt with a cookie or candy topping. Sold in four packs of 4-ounce cups, a serving contains 120 calories, 4 grams of protein and 10% of an adult’s recommended daily allowance of calcium. The perfectly proportioned toppings add a little “dunking” fun while appealing to basketball fans of all ages. “Alpina Foods is committed to bringing innovation to the dairy aisle,” says Gustavo Badino, general manager. “We saw a need for a product that catered to the American male--youth or adult--in the yogurt section, and we decided to take the challenge and introduce this NBA All-Stars product.”

	NEW AUSSIE-STYLE YOGURT BRAND ENTERS U.S. MARKETPLACE (posted February 23, 2015) WhiteWave Foods just started rolling out yulu Aussie Style Yogurt. Australian-style yogurt is known for its velvety texture and creaminess as well as inclusion of large, identifiable pieces of fruit. Similar to Greek yogurt, it has a high protein content and is typically hand crafted in small batches and sweetened with honey. The yulu line comes in 5.3-ounce containers and in five varieties: Blueberry, Honey, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla Bean. Each serving, depending on variety, delivers 9 to 10 grams of protein, as well as 170 to 190 calories, 14 to 17 grams of sugar and 7 grams of fat. For more information, link HERE.

	ICE CREAM-INSPIRED REFRIGERATED YOGURT (posted February 17, 2015) Müller introduces decadent yogurt line to U.S. consumers. The newest flavors, described as “thick and cream,” are inspired by dairy treats found in the retail freezer and scoop shop. They are: Mint Chocolate Chip, Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Strawberries & Cream and Vanilla Bean. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 170 to 210 calories, 8 to 9 grams fat, 16 to 22 grams sugar and 7 grams protein. Milk protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate provide the boost of protein. The company is marketing the decadent yogurts as “a good source of protein and calcium for 210 calories or less for that ‘me moment’ you deserve.” As one of Europe’s most popular yogurt brands, Müller has been perfecting indulgence for the world’s most notorious pleasure seekers for more than a century, according to the company. It’s now time for U.S. consumers to experience its specialties. For more information, link HERE.

	A NEW PLAYER IN THE GREEK YOGURT AND SMOOTHIE CATEGORY (posted February 11, 2015) Borden Dairy introduces LALA Low-Fat Greek Smoothies and Yogurts. The smoothies come in three varieties: Mango, Peach and Strawberry. The yogurts come in five varieties: Coconut, Mixed Berry, Peach, Pineapple and Strawberry. Both product lines use bilingual (English and Hispanic) verbiage, to appeal to the brand's longtime Hispanic consumer base. “LALA is the longtime U.S. leader in drinkable yogurt, capturing more than double the share of the second most popular brand,” said Kristen Williams, brand manager. “Greek yogurt is one of America’s favorite protein-packed snacks and our smoothies are the first drinkable Greek dairy product available nationwide. One in five Americans regularly eats on the run, but people don’t want to sacrifice flavor or nutrition. That’s why we created LALA Greek Smoothies--to be the Greek that goes with you.” Both the smoothies and yogurts are gluten free and made with real fruit and natural sweeteners. They contain no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors or artificial flavors. For more information, link HERE.

	CHOBANI LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT PLATFORMS AND MARKETING INITIATIVES (posted February 2, 2015) America’s number-one Greek yogurt brand has a major portfolio expansion along with new marketing initiatives to continue its category leadership and deliver on its mission to provide better food for more people. Its new platform designed specifically for kids and tots--Chobani Kids and Chobani Tots Greek Yogurt Pouches--prominently feature iconic Disney and Marvel characters, such as Winnie the Pooh and Spider-Man on packaging. Additional characters including Doc McStuffins will launch in summer 2015. Chobani Kids offers 8 grams of protein and 25% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt in kid-approved flavors, empowering kids to choose naturally delicious snacks, according to the company. Flavors are Banana, Chocolate Dust, Grape, Strawberry and Watermelon. Chobani Tots Greek Yogurt Pouches are creamy whole milk Greek yogurt blended with real fruits and vegetables, 12 milligrams of omega-3 DHA, and live and active cultures. Varieties are Banana & Pumpkin and Mango & Spinach. Chobani is also introducing Chobani Greek Yogurt Oats-Ancient Grain Blend, an extension of the brand’s recent take on oatmeal that offers a hearty breakfast using only natural ingredients in each cup with 10 grams of whole grains, 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. The new Ancient Grain Blend is packed with steel-cut oats, quinoa, chia, buckwheat and amaranth, creamy Greek yogurt and real, ripe fruit blended into two new flavors: Mixed Berry 5-Grain and Apricot 5-Grain. The company also rolls out new products under its successful Chobani Flip Creations. The flavors are Chocolate Haze Craze (with hazelnuts) and Salted Caramel Crunch. On the heels of the popular Limited Batch Pumpkin Spice and Apple Spice this fall, the newest Limited Batch Chobani Greek Yogurt flavors are now on shelves, while supplies last. They are Grape and Green Tea. The former proves grape isn’t a flavor just for kids. The new Chobani Indulgent Greek Yogurt flavors are Dulce de Leche Caramel & Dark Chocolate and Double Chocolate Chunk. “Flavor innovation is a big part of the specialness of our brand. We were the first Greek yogurt company to launch flavors like Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, Watermelon and Grapefruit, so it’s natural for us to be first with flavors like Green Tea that excite the shelf, the category and, importantly, our consumers,” says Peter McGuinness, chief marketing and brand officer. “People are hungry for better food options throughout the day and we’ll continue to fuel our growth with products that fill gaps in the market and meet consumer needs,” he adds. “Our newest platform for kids and tots is one our most important, offering delicious, healthy food that has been designed especially for young ones. At the same time, platforms like Chobani Flip, Chobani Oats and Chobani Indulgent are bringing new people and excitement into the category. We see significant room for growth and, as the leader, we feel it’s our right, role and responsibility to curate the category with the best possible options out there. Our marketing in the coming year will focus especially on driving trial and raising awareness, including national campaigns, event marketing and sampling programs that introduce even more people to our products and the category.”

	PRIVATE-LABEL INDULGENT YOGURT WITH TOPPINGS (posted January 28, 2015) Publix introduces Premium, a dual-compartment indulgent yogurt line. It is yogurt disguised as dessert, according to the website. The 4.7-ounce containers come in 10 varieties, all with whole milk yogurt and a side of indulgent mix--ins. Such “full-fat goodness” is the #1 cultured dairy products trends of 2015. To read more, link HERE. The 10 varieties are: Apple Cobbler with Crumble Crust Cherries Jubilee with Choco Oatmeal Clusters Coconut with Coconut Almond Granola Pieces French Vanilla with Honey Almond Granola Key Lime Pie with Graham Cookie Pieces Mint with Peppermint Cups Pineapple Mojito with Sea Salt Toasted-Coconut Granola Santa's White Christmas with Mocha Chips Strawberry Shortcake with Cookie Bits White Chocolate Raspberry with Raspberry Chocolate Cups A single-serve container contain 230 to 240 calories, depending on variety, and 9 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. For more information, link HERE.

	DEBUTED AT THE FANCY FOOD: ORGANIC TRI-LAYERED YOGURT (posted January 19, 2015) Stonyfield introduces Oh My Yog! The top layer is cream, the middle layer is honey-sweetened whole milk yogurt and the bottom is flavorful fruit, or in the case of the Madagascar Vanilla Bean variety, vanilla-infused yogurt. The fruit varieties are: Apple Cinnamon, Gingered Pear, Orange Cranberry, Pacific Coast Strawberry and Wild Quebec Blueberry. Each 6-ounce cup contains 190 calories, 5 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein. This product is right on target with Cultured Dairy Product Trends 2015, which can be viewed HERE. The company filed to trademark “Oh My Yog!” on June 23, 2014, and it was issued on Dec. 16, 2014. For more information, link HERE.

	A TRIFECTA IN YOGURT (posted January 12, 2015) To answer many consumers’ desire for a protein snack with a stronger nutritional profile, Dannon has created Oikos Triple Zero. Oikos Triple Zero packs in 15 grams of protein in each 5.3-ounce single-serve cup. The “triple zero” refers to the fact that the yogurt has zero added sugar, zero artificial sweeteners and zero fat. To sweeten the yogurt without adding sugar, the formulation relies on a variety of technologies, including stevia; chicory root fiber, which contributes sweetness while also delivering 6 grams of fiber per serving; and the lactase enzyme. The product’s formulation, along with its marketing platform (the brand is the official yogurt of the National Football League), showcase Dannon’s continued efforts to engage a wider audience and expand its once predominantly female consumer base to include men. The company is teaming-up with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to promote the product and the power of dairy proteins. In a new advertising campaign unveiled today, Dannon and Newton encourage consumers to look beyond traditional staples for protein. Recruiting shoppers from the protein snack aisle into the yogurt aisle, the Panthers star puts his own personal flair in helping to change people’s snacking habits. “As an athlete, I pay close attention to what I eat, whether it’s between meals or after working out,” says two-time NFL Pro Bowler Newton. “It’s funny because I really do find myself searching the grocery store for new protein snack options. Oikos Triple Zero was quite honestly right up my alley, not only because of its nutritional benefits, but because it tastes good too.” “There aren’t many great choices for protein snacks that also have other important nutrients,” says Art D’Elia, vice president of marketing for Dannon. “As America’s largest yogurt maker, we have a commitment and an opportunity to help Americans live healthier lives through the food choices they make. Oikos Triple Zero does exactly that.” Dannon is supporting the launch of the product with a multi-million dollar media investment. With the goal of expanding its once predominantly female consumer, the brand will be exploring integrated partnerships with television networks with a high male viewership. The brand will also be a presenting sponsor of various NFL Network shows and plans to active full NFL.com takeovers. Oikos Triple Zero comes in six flavors: Banana Crème, Coconut Crème, Mixed Berry, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla.

	YOGURT AND JUICE LOWER-SUGAR BEVERAGE (posted January 5, 2015) Yoplait introduces Yogurt & Juice Nonfat Beverage with natural, alternative sweeteners. Sold in half-gallon, gable-top cartons, the yogurt and juice drinks are sweetened with sugar and fructose, as well as monkfruit juice concentrate and rebiana (stevia). The latter two help keep calories and added sugars low. An 8-ounce serving contains 110 to 120 calories and 19 to 22 grams of carbohydrates Thanks to the addition of milk protein concentrate, a serving also provides 6 grams of protein. The beverages are made with cultured nonfat milk and blends of fruit juices from concentrate. They come in four varieties: Berry Pomegranate, Pineapple Mango, Strawberry, and Strawberry Banana. For more information, link HERE.

	PRIVATE-LABEL POUCH YOGURT (posted December 31, 2014) Target now offers its own pouch yogurt, one of the hottest package forms for 2015. The low-fat yogurt comes in 3.5-ounce pouches, with a four-pack box retailing for $3.99. The five flavors--Banana Strawberry, Cotton Candy, Mixed Berry, Orange Vanilla and Strawberry—are designed to appeal to adults and children. Naturally flavored with no artificial colors, the refrigerated yogurts tout the fact that they contain live and active cultures and are a good source of calcium. A single-serving pouch contains 90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. According to the plant code listed on the package, these pouches are being co-packed for Target Corp., by Commonwealth Dairy LLC, Brattleboro, Vt.

	GREEK YOGURT GETS WHIPPED (posted December 22, 2014) General Mills announced this past week that it will be adding more than 50 new items in the U.S. and globally in the second half of the company’s fiscal year 2015. The products are designed to meet consumer demand for better-for-you snacks, simple ingredients, high protein, gluten-free and bold flavors. The new product lineup includes Yoplait Greek 100 Whips. Aeration provides the yogurt with a lighter texture and mouthfeel as compared to Yoplait Greek 100. It also helps keep calories down, as air is calorie free. The nonnutritive sweeteners acesulfame potassium and sucralose also help keep calories down, as well as added sugars. Yoplait Greek 100 Whips come in the same 5.3-ounce container as Yoplait Greek 100, but the aeration yields a lighter product, weighing in at 4 ounces. Varieties are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Lemon Meringue, Raspberry, Strawberry, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tropical and Vanilla Cupcake The Yoplait Greek 100 line is also growing with the addition of Banana Caramel, Coconut, Honey and Orange Crème. Yoplait Original adds two flavors: Caramel and Cookies and Cream. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com.

	ALOE + YOGURT + FRUIT SHELF-STABLE BEVERAGES (posted December 3, 2014) OKF introduces its second-generation drinkable aloe yogurt. OKF Corp., a Korean beverage company, introduced Aloe Yogur King in 2012, with the majority of distribution in the U.S. and Europe. The company recently introduced its second-generation concept--Aloe Yogos King—replacing the original concept. This smooth yogurt drink has a unique texture because of the inclusion of aloe vera gel. It comes in seven varieties: Banana, Blueberry, Mango, Original, Peach, Pineapple and Strawberry. The new beverage contains fewer calories and less added sugars through the use of a sugar, fructose, honey and sucralose blend. For comparison, a 12-ounce serving of the original concept (Aloe Yogur King) contained 150 calories, 0 grams fat, 35 grams of added sugar and 0 grams protein. The new version (Aloe Yogos King) contains 120 calories, 0 grams fat, 25 grams of added sugar and 1 gram protein. Aloe Yogos King has a 2-year ambient shelf life, which means it does not contain live and active yogurt cultures. It comes in a variety of sizes in both cans and plastic bottles. The most common size being exported is the 500-milliliter (16.9-ounces) plastic bottle. For more information, visit www.okf.kr.

	YOGURT MADE WITH OLIVE OIL (posted November 25, 2014) The Barcelona-based specialty food company Casa Ametller, or simply Ametller, has developed a low-fat yogurt called Yoligur, which uses olive oil to replace the saturated fats of milk. The company says this makes for a healthier product, with packages carrying a “0% animal fat” claim. The product was selected from more than 1,700 entries to receive the SIAL Innovation 2014 in October at the SIAL expo in Paris. This prize recognizes the most innovative food products in the global marketplace. There are five varieties: Apple, Pear and Cinnamon; Figs and Thyme; Original; Persimmon and Peach; and Pomegranate and Orange. For more information, visit www.yoligur.com.

	THREE HAPPY COWS NOW MAKES DRINKABLE YOGURT (posted November 19, 2014) Drinkable yogurt joins the new company’s Greek yogurt cup line. Three Happy Cows, a Dallas-based yogurt company, was founded in 2011 with the goal of providing high-quality, great-tasting Greek and drinkable yogurts free of artificial hormones, artificial flavors and preservatives. After a fire destroyed the Three Happy Cows plant, the brand was forced to halt production for several months while searching for a new production facility. The cup yogurts made their happy return during spring 2014. The drinkable yogurts recently started rolling out. Available in five flavors—Blueberry, Caramel, Mango, Pina Colada and Strawberry—the drinkable yogurts come in single-serve 7-ounce plastic bottles. Each bottle contains 7 grams of protein, as well as 130 to 140 calories and 2 to 2.5 grams of fat, depending on variety. “We could not be more excited to return to Texas retailers,” says Three Happy Cows Director of Marketing Brian Twomey. “After the fire, we had to take time to identify new production. It was difficult for us to be temporarily unavailable to consumers that truly loved our product. We are ecstatic to be back and better than ever.” For more information, visit www.threehappycows.com.

	DRINKABLE OATS AND YOGURT (posted November 10, 2014) FrieslandCampina UK-owned milk drink Yazoo is rolling out the first new dairy product from the brand in more than 20 years. New Yazoo Yogurt Smoothie is merchandised in the chilled smoothie drinks aisle and comes in two flavors: Mango & Pineapple and Strawberry & Raspberry. According to ingredient legends, the smoothies contain 55% very low fat yogurt, 6% fruit juice from concentrate and 1% gluten-free oats. For added nutrition, the mixture is enhanced with whey permeate. What distinguishes this smoothie from like products in the market is that it contains no lumps, no bumps and definitely no bits, according to the company. It also has no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. A 200-milliliter serving contains 110 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of fiber and 4.5 grams of protein. The product launch is supported by the “Unbelievably Smooth” campaign, which includes TV, radio, social, PR and in-store shopper activation. The campaign aims to highlight the new product’s nutritional profile. As a new kind of smoothie, it has been reported that FrieslandCampina expects Yazoo Yogurt Smoothie to support incremental category growth of approximately 15% over the next three years. For more information, visit www.yazoo.co.uk.

	YOGURT SHAKES WITH PROTEIN AND FIBER (posted November 3, 2014) Dannon Light & Fit introduces a new drinkable cultured dairy concept. The new Protein Shake comes in four flavors: Banana, Mixed Berry, Strawberry and Vanilla. Sold in four packs of 10-fluid-ounce bottles, the nonfat yogurt drinks are enhanced with milk protein concentrate and polydextrose to provide 12 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, respectively, per bottle. Each bottle only contains 14 grams of sugar, including lactose, milk’s inherent sugar. Added sugars are kept low through the use of two high-intensity sweeteners: sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Added lactase also assists with keeping added sugars low, as the lactase enzyme breaks down lactose into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose and galactose, which are sweeter than lactose. The lactase should also ensure that shakes are lactose free; however, package labels do not make the claim. For more information, visit www.lightnfit.com.

	ORGANIC GREEK YOGURT GETS A DOSE OF OMEGA-3s (posted October 27, 2014) Stonyfield rolls out “Greek and Chia.” This is more than Green yogurt with chia…this product tells a story. There are three varieties: Blood Orange, Blueberry and (mixed berry) Strawberry, Raspberry and Cranberry. The blueberry variety is described as “made with wild Quebec blueberries.” The chia is described in multiple ways: Plump, soft and hydrated Why added chia? Well, it’s a source of alpha linoleic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. Each 5.3-ounce cup delivers 500 milligrams of ALA. Each single-serve cup also provides 130 to 140 calories, depending on variety, and 1 gram of fat and 12 grams of protein. The chia contributes 1 gram of fiber per serving. For more information, visit www.stonyfield.com.

	GREEK YOGURT MELDS WITH WHOLE GRAIN OATS (posted October 15, 2014) Chobani introduces Greek Yogurt Oats. Chobani Oats bridges the breakfast gap between yogurt and oats, offering Chobani’s take on oatmeal. This new breakfast-focused product is a blend of creamy Greek yogurt, with 10 grams of protein, 8 grams of whole grain and 3 grams of fiber from gluten-free steel-cut oats and real fruit. A 5.3-ounce cup contains 160 calories and is loaded with all-natural, flavorful ingredients including real fruit and maple syrup. It comes in four varieties: Apple Cinnamon, Banana Maple, Blueberry and Cranberry. “From the beginning, we’ve been on a mission to make better food for more people, and with our Chobani Greek Yogurt Oats we’re doubling down on a better breakfast,” says Peter McGuinness, chief marketing and brand officer at Chobani. For more information, visit www.chobani.com.

	NEW YOGURT PLANT, NEW YOGURT PRODUCTS (Posted October 7, 2014) Byrne Dairy celebrates its new yogurt plant—Byrne Hollow Farm—during a Grand Opening celebration tomorrow, Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Located in Cortland, N.Y., the $30 million, 75,000-square-foot plant is currently dedicated to producing only yogurt, a new business for the 81-year-old company. The company started co-packing yogurt at the end of June 2014 and will now start making both conventional and strained Greek varieties under its own label, Byrne Hollow. According to SYR.com, the manufacturing plant houses new filling technology that enables the yogurt to stay fresh twice as long as it normally would. Windows above the plant floor were included in the facility’s design to give public access, tours and viewing, as a growing number of consumers want to see how their food is being made. The overall plan is to add cheese making and even an amphitheater one day, making it a dairy campus, not just a factory, according to SYR.com (June 30, 2014). For more information, visit www.byrnedairy.com.

	GRASS-FED MILK ORGANIC GREEK YOGURT (posted October 1, 2014) Maple Hill Creamery is the first national U.S. dairy brand to receive Pennsylvania Certified Organic’s new 100% Grass-Fed Organic certification. At Expo East, the company introduced a line of new whole milk Greek yogurt made with this certified milk. Milk from grass-fed cows is said to have a more favorable fatty acid profile than milk from conventionally fed cows, according to the company. Since the term grass-fed is not regulated by FDA, grass-based dairy farmers initiated the development of this third-party verification program to ensure the authenticity of products claiming to be grass-fed. This is important as many products claim grass-fed when the cow’s diet contains only a minimal amount of grass, which does not contain the beneficial properties of 100% grass-fed for the milk, the animal, the consumer and the environment. “We are thrilled that Maple Hill Creamery has become the first national dairy brand to be third-party certified as 100% Grass-Fed,” says Tim Joseph, founding farmer and president. “In serving growing demand for grass-fed dairy, we believe the certification seal will enable consumers to feel confident in the choices they make for themselves and their families. It is our hope that grocery industry leaders will rely upon 100% Grass-Fed just as they rely upon third-party certification for terms like organic and non-GMO.” The yogurt comes in six varieties: Blueberry, Peach, Plain, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla. The authentically strained yogurt contains no added colors, artificial flavors or thickeners. It also contains less added sugar than most Greek yogurt. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 130 to 150 calories, 5 to 14 grams of sugar and 11 to 12 grams of protein, depending on variety. Made from whole milk, they all contain 6 grams of fat. The suggested retail price is $2.99 SRP. For more information, visit www.maplehillcreamery.com.

	IBEX ADDS FLAVORS AND GOES ORGANIC (posted September 24, 2014) Skyland Foods showcases product updates at Expo East. Skyland Foods was founded on two powerful ideas: eating nutritious food should be a delightful experience; and dairy products can do much more to address consumers’ health and wellness priorities. With those principles, the company developed Ibex Drinkable Yogurt, which made its initial debut two years ago at Natural Products Expo East 2012 and was reported on HERE. At this year’s Expo East, Ibex Drinkable Yogurt revealed its updated formula. The product is now certified organic and available in two new flavors. All varieties are made with a new functional formula packed with probiotics and prebiotics. The new Ibex, which still features its signature black bottle and less-sugar approach, will begin rolling out in October 2014. Made with milk from small family farms, each bottle contains 8 grams of protein and a mere 5 grams of added sugar. The two new flavors are Coconut and Raspberry, which join Banana and Ginger. The new flavors replace Mint-Melon and Plain, which were part of the original line up. The name Ibex refers to a mountain-going animal known for its dramatic appearance and physical gifts. Ancient mythology held that it possessed mystical, even curative, properties. “The Ibex brand is all about helping people expect more from their food and get more from themselves,” says Skyland Foods Founder and CEO Brandon Partridge. “While yogurt has been a growing category in recent years, drinkable products have lagged, and we believe a fresh approach to these products can ignite additional growth in an already successful part of grocery store.” For more information, visit www.skylandfoods.com.

	NO-SUGAR-ADDED SKYR SMOOTHIE LINE GROWS WITH NEW FLAVOR (posted September 22, 2014) B’more Organic, the first organic strained yogurt smoothie in the U.S., adds Strawberry Banana to its organic skyr line. Viking settlers are believed to have brought the knowledge of how to make skyr with them from Norway to Iceland, according to the company. Skyr is still a very popular product in Iceland, a country with the world’s second longest life expectancy. Skyr looks and tastes like Greek yogurt. It’s made with skim milk, so it’s naturally very low in sugar and fat free. It’s also an excellent source of protein and calcium. B’more Organic wants Americans to enjoy and reap the health benefits of this fermented dairy beverage. No excuses for the lactose sensitive, as much of the lactose is consumed by the special bacteria cultures that give skyr its unique taste and pack it full of good-for-you probiotics. B’more Organic’s foundation is based on local, family-owned and operated sustainable farming. At Expo East, the company debuted Strawberry Banana Organic Skyr Smoothie, which joins the four original flavors: Banana, Caffe Latte, Mango Banana and Vanilla. The cultured beverages come in 16-ounce plastic bottles, with an 8-ounce serving containing 118 to 130 calories, 6 to 14 grams of sugar and 15 to 23 grams of protein, depending on variety. Organic stevia keeps calories and sugar content low. For more information, visit www.bmoreorganic.com.

	POUCHED YOGURT FOR ACTIVE ADULTS Arla Foods’ Melkunie Breaker brand goes high protein. Melkunie Breaker High Protein is now available in The Netherlands. The product comes in convenient, recloseable on-the-go pouches. It is promoted as having extra protein (thanks to the addition of milk protein concentrate) to support muscle growth, the maintenance of normal bones and muscle recovery after exercise and sports. The 200-gram pouches come in Mango Passionfruit and Vanilla varieties. Each pouch contains 168 calories, 1.8 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein. The protein version joins Breaker original, which debuted in 2001, when the company was “breaking” the dairy category norm by putting yogurt in a pouch. The original line comes in varieties such as low-fat Banana, Cherries with Sunflower Seeds, Peaches with Sunflower Seeds, Raspberry and Strawberry. A 200-gram Breaker original contains 200 to 230 calories, 4 to 8 grams of fat and 6 to 7 grams of protein, depending on variety. There’s also a 0% fat Breaker in Strawberry. For more information, visit www.breaker.nl.

	NEW YOGURT STYLE HITS AUSTRALIAN MARKETPLACE (posted September 8, 2014) MOO Premium Foods introduces Dahi Indian-Style Yoghurt. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, MOO Premium Products makes Dahi readily available in supermarkets with this rollout. This no-sugar-added yogurt is a mild alternative to Greek yogurt. The product is made with three simple ingredients: full cream milk concentrate, skim milk concentrate and lactic acid cultures. It is traditionally pot-set for a silky, smooth texture. It is designed to be served plain, or as an ingredient with authentic savory or sweet Indian foods, as it has a cooling texture and light flavor that complements everything from curry to tandoori to rogan josh. Being 98% fat free, a 500-gram cup contains 281 calories, 2 grams of fat, 7.1 grams of sugar (inherent milk sugars) and 4.6 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.moopremiumfoods.com.au.

	PRIVATE-LABEL PURPLE COW CREAMERY ENTERS REFRIGERATED YOGURT CATEGORY (posted September 2, 2014) Supercenter retail giant Meijer debuts private-label refrigerated yogurt under the company’s infamous Purple Cow insignia. First came Purple Cow ice cream, the happy legacy of Fred Meijer. For two generations, each of his stores boasted a Purple Cow ice cream shop. In the fall of 2013, Purple Cow Creamery packaged retail pints and half gallons entered the market. Read about them HERE. Now the creamery is producing refrigerated yogurt. There are 32-ounce multi-serve tubs of Plain (whole milk, low fat and nonfat), Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla (light and low fat). There are also 6-ounce single-serve cups that come in four packs. The single-serve cups come in an array of varieties, including Blended, Fruit on Bottom and Light. Flavors include Black Cherry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Boston Cream Pie, Mixed Berry, Orange Cream, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. For more information, visit www.thepurplecow.com.

	CHOBANI OFFERS NEW YOGURT OPTIONS (posted August 27, 2014) The Greek yogurt leader introduces seasonal flavors, as well as a cooking companion. Chobani offers two Limited Batch seasonal flavors in its blended Greek yogurt line. Watermelon is made with watermelon blended with other natural flavors and contains 140 calories. Pink Grapefruit is made with pink grapefruit pulp and grapefruit juice concentrate and contains 150 calories. Both are made with 2% milk, with each 5.3-ounce cup containing 3 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein. The company has also added a Plain Whole Milk Greek yogurt (4% fat) to its lineup. Intended to be a cooking companion, the plain variety comes in 5.3- and 32-ounce cups. The new whole milk Greek yogurt is richer, creamier and more indulgent than ever before, according to the company. This protein-packed yogurt makes a great substitute for mayonnaise or sour cream in sandwiches, sauces and dips, and can easily replace oil or butter in most baking. Other new flavors include Key Lime and Pineapple Coconut in the Simply 100 line and Flip now comes in a Clover Honey variant. For more information, visit www.chobani.com.

	POWERFUL YOGURT DEBUTS IN DRINKABLE FORMAT (posted August 18, 2014) New shelf-stable drink is all about delivering dairy proteins. The Powerful Yogurt Drink will begin shopping late this fall. It comes in three flavors: Chocolate, Blueberry Açai and Vanilla Maple. The base of the drink is the company’s premium Powerful Yogurt Greek yogurt, which gives the drink a high-protein, creamy starting point. The Powerful Yogurt Drink has 20 grams of protein per 12-ounce serving and uses 100% all natural ingredients. The shelf-stable drink is designed for on-the-go nutrition, whether it’s a busy day at the office or pre-/post-workout. Because it is shelf stable, the drink does not contain live and active cultures like the refrigerated cup products. This drink is all about the protein. The drink is the fourth concept under the Powerful Yogurt brand. It follows the original Powerful Yogurt, Powerful Yogurt Plus and Powerful Yogurt Bars. (Link on product names for more information.) When launched in the U.S. in March 2013, Powerful Yogurt was the country’s first Greek yogurt targeted specifically to men. The product is differentiated from existing Greek yogurts by its 20 to 25 grams of natural protein per serving, which is a “man-sized” 8-ounce container that is at least 33% larger than most individual-serving Greek yogurts. For more information, visit www.powerful.yt.

	PRODUCE AISLE BECOMES A SNACK DESTINATION (posted August 13, 2014) Bolthouse Farms launches a line of fruit and veggie snacks for kids. As one of the largest producers of baby carrots and premium juice beverages in North America, Bolthouse Farms is launching Bolthouse Farms Kids just in time for back to school. The new line of kids’ snacks is based around real fruits and vegetables with no added preservatives and is designed for maximum kid craveability. The new line features seven unique products across three categories: Fruit Tubes, Smoothies and Veggie Snackers. The Fruit Tubes options are Mango Meets Banana & Pineapple, Strawberry Meets Banana and Blueberry Meets Raspberry with Greek Yogurt. The Fruit Tubes can be eaten out of the refrigerator for a creamy fruit experience or out of the freezer as a delicious frozen treat. The Smoothies are 100% juice while Veggie Snackers are baby carrots with seasonings. The products are designed to appeal to parents of children ages 4 to 11 years old. In consumer tests, kids and moms reported the products tasted fresh, were fun to eat and were great options for everyday snacking. In line with the company’s mission to make the healthy choice the easy choice, Bolthouse Farms is helping retailers create a new snack destination for kids in the produce section, offering added convenience for parents looking to make smart choices for their children. “The launch of Bolthouse Farms Kids underscores our commitment to continually inspire healthy eating in children through products and flavors that make fruits and vegetables fun,” says Jeff Dunn, president and CEO. “Junk food is winning the war on grabbing the attention of Americans, particularly our kids. Our hope is that by introducing a line of products that kids want to eat and moms can feel good about, we can drive a lasting love of these foods and a healthier future for the next generation.” For more information, visit www.bolthouse.com.

	YOGURT GOES UPSCALE BY USING WELSH MILK AND PREMIUM FRUIT COMPOTE (posted August 6, 2014) U.K.’s Daffodil Foods shows yogurt can be a perfect 10. The company’s new Luscious Layered Yogurts with the new Welsh slate design on the sleeve and vivid fruit photography comes in six mouth-watering flavors. These dessert-style yogurts are made with Welsh milk yogurt layered over fruity compote. Varieties are: Alphonso Mango & Passion Fruit, Fruity Raspberry, Senga Strawberry, Succulent Summer Berries, Timperley Rhubarb and Zesty Lemon. The yogurts are made and packed in Wales, using locally sourced Welsh milk and Welsh cream, which is cultured with bifidobacteria. The yogurts do not contain any colorings, modified starches, glucose syrups, artificial sweeteners or artificial flavorings, so they are perfect as a healthier dessert option, according to the company. With a crystal clear unprinted pot, they look great on the dining room table. The pot allows consumers to see exactly what they are buying and eating. For more information, visit www.daffodilfoods.co.uk.

	GOAT MILK YOGURT AND FRUIT POUCHES DEBUT (posted July 28, 2014) Kabrita Goat Milk Yogurt and Fruit in easy to squeeze pouches is a new choice when it comes to feeding little ones. Goat milk is known for its gentle, naturally easy-to-digest properties, making it an especially great solution for kids who experience the common problem of cow milk intolerance, which causes symptoms such as digestive upset, rashes and congestion. “Cow milk intolerance occurs when components of cow milk--either the fat, lactose, protein or a combination of components--are digested poorly,” says Kate Morrison, board-certified naturopathic doctor, mom and co-founder of Kabrita North America. “If your little one suffers from this, they will likely tolerate goat milk very well.” Kabrita Goat Milk Yogurt and Fruit comes in three toddler-approved flavors: Mixed Berry, Mango Peach, and Banana and Natural Vanilla Bean. All three flavors are fortified with vitamins D, C and E to meet the nutritional needs of active toddlers. The non-GMO yogurt uses milk from an AGA Grassfed Certified family farm, where no hormones or pesticides are used and the goats are handled with care. The yogurt is now available for sale online with retail locations across the U.S. to follow soon. For a limited time, Kabrita is offering free shipping on all yogurt purchases. Retail price is $2.89 per 4-ounce pouch, or $15.99 for a case of six. For more information, visit www.kabritausa.com.

	UNIQUE FLAVOR COMBOS FOR A TRIPLE DIP OF GREEK YOGURT FUN (posted July 22, 2014) In the U.S., Ehrmann’s Mixim brand introduces two new varieties to its line of non-fat Greek yogurt, adding to the original six flavors launched in February 2014. This new way to consume Greek yogurt provides a triple-dip of flavorful fun. The heart-shaped container has a serving of creamy, smooth plain Greek yogurt that is paired with two topping combinations to let consumers create their own taste sensations. The new entries are: Maple Syrup with Waffle Pieces and Blueberry with Chocolate Chip Cookie Pieces. “Mixim is a fresh and exciting way of enjoying Greek yogurt...your way,” says Chris Solly, CEO of Ehrmann USA. “Our heart-shaped container with its three separate chambers is the first difference you’ll notice. Then you peel back the lid and see that our creamy Greek fat-free yogurt comes with two perfectly paired toppings that can be added a little at a time or all at once. Our Mixim yogurt delivers all the nutritional benefits of a traditional Greek yogurt, but is a lot more fun, and can be enjoyed in numerous ways.” The original six varieties are: Blackberry Pomegranate with Granola & Dried Fruits; Cherry and Chocolate Curls; Honey with Coconut & Almonds; Mango Pineapple with Coconut & Almonds; Raspberry with Dark and White Chocolate Curls; and Strawberries with Granola. Each 5.3-ounce container is approximately 150 calories and delivers at least 10 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.ehrmann-usa.com.

	ALPINA FOODS REINVENTS YOGURT SMOOTHIE LINE (posted July 9, 2014) The company enhances the formulation and packaging, as well as adds flavors. The new formulation is described as being thicker with a creamier texture. The 7-ounce smoothie is currently available in four flavors: Mango, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. The company plans to add more indulgent flavors to satisfy people’s sweet tooth, such as Cherry, Dulce de Leche and Tropical Coconut later this year. Each single-serve bottle contains 120 to 130 calories, depending on flavor, as well as 7 grams of protein and a mere 2 grams of fat. The yogurt smoothies also come in multi-serve, family-style half-gallon jugs. “Alpina Yogurt Smoothies are the perfect on-the-go snack and are even a healthy dessert alternative,” says Gustavo Badino, general manger. “We’re excited to offer consumers a great-tasting dairy option that not only offers convenience but is also so indulgent, you’ll forget how good it is for you.” For more information, visit www.alpinaus.com.

	A SIDE OF CANDY WITH YOGURT (posted June 3, 2014) Iconic candies come in crunchy form atop a cup of yogurt. YoCrunch, part of leading U.S. yogurt company Danone and known for its “topper” yogurt offerings, has expanded its licensing agreement with Mars Inc., to now include crushed Twix or Snickers candies in the dome topper compartment. The company provided a sneak peak at these two new offerings at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) meeting in Denver. Product will start appearing in U.S. retail dairy cases on July 1. Each 6-ounce cup contains 180 calories, 4 grams of fat, and depending on variety, 5 to 6 grams of protein and 25 to 26 grams of sugars. Front panels state that a serving is a “good source of protein and calcium.” Like many other topper products from YoCrunch, these two new candy varieties carry the tagline: Great yogurt, real fun. For more information, visit www.yocrunch.com

	WARM-WEATHER YOGURT FLAVORS (posted May 26, 2014) Yoplait introduces limited-edition refreshing yogurt flavors. Yoplait’s consumers have enjoyed seasonal flavors since the first limited-edition yogurts were introduced in the fall of 2012 with pumpkin pie and apple crisp. The demand continues to bring trending flavors they desire to the yogurt aisle. The two flavors are: Margarita and Peach Sweet Tea. “Consumers are continually looking for new and different ways to enjoy the goodness of yogurt,” says Blake Holman, associate marketing manager. “The popularity of cocktail-inspired, sweet and refreshing flavored drinks rises when the weather gets warm. So in response to consumer’s desires, Yoplait took favorite flavors to sip and turned them into yogurt that can now be enjoyed any time of the day. Whether it’s a margarita with friends or sweet tea on the porch, consumers love the variety and flavors but without actually consuming the real thing.” Both flavors are a high in calcium and are a good source of vitamin D. Yoplait Original Peach Sweet Tea-flavored yogurt contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 170 calories. Yoplait Light Margarita-flavored yogurt contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 90 calories. Yoplait Light features the Weight Watchers shield showing a PointsPlus value of 2 per serving. In addition to coming in 6-ounce cups, the individual flavors come in four packs of 4-ounce cups. There are also eight-count fridge packs of the 6-ounce cups containing four Yoplait Light Margarita and four Harvest Peach; and four Yoplait Original Peach Sweet Tea and four Strawberry. The suggested retail price is 75 cents per 6-ounce cup, $2.79 per 4-ounce four-pack and $5.75 per 6-ounce eight-count fridge packs. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com.

	CEREAL BOWL LINE FOR THE YOGURT CASE (posted May 19, 2014) Powerhouse breakfast brands combine for new convenient breakfast solution. YoCrunch, now part of leading U.S. yogurt company Danone and known for its “topper” yogurt offerings, is partnering with Kellogg Company, a global leader in cereal and snack solutions, to introduce the most innovative topper yet, YoCrunch Cereal Bowl. The YoCrunch Cereal Bowl combines favorite Kellogg’s cereals, such as Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Special K, in a new dome-shaped top with YoCrunch yogurt. Consumers combine the yogurt and cereal and shake to achieve a perfectly blended flavor combination. “Nearly two-thirds of yogurt consumers are already adding toppings to their yogurt, with cereal and grains second in popularity only to fruit,” says Elliot Shifrin, senior brand manager, YoCrunch. “We are excited to partner with Kellogg’s to bring its strong brands and great-tasting cereals into the YoCrunch family, and expect that our consumers will be delighted with the ‘shake and eat’ container that delivers delicious flavor, convenience and the nutritious dose of fun they have come to expect from YoCrunch.” “It is increasingly common for our consumers to enjoy their favorite Kellogg’s cereal with yogurt,” says Noel Geoffroy, senior vice president, marketing and innovation for Kellogg Company’s U.S. morning foods business. “Our collaboration on the YoCrunch Cereal Bowls is the perfect marriage between two breakfast favorites, in an easy, convenient package that makes it simple and fun for people to enjoy the protein and other nutrition benefits of yogurt and cereal for breakfast and snack occasions.” “We are especially proud of this new partnership with Kellogg’s and this breakthrough offering for the yogurt aisle. By creating an all-in-one food, we can drive usage occasions for both yogurt and cereal,” says Steve Platt, chief marketing officer for YoCrunch. “This powerful brand partnership and unique new design will drive further growth for our customers by expanding both categories.” The 4.7-ounce YoCrunch Cereal Bowl line is rolling out right now and has a suggested retail price of $1.69. The initial rollout includes five varieties. They are: Greek Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt with Special K Greek Strawberry Nonfat Yogurt with Special K Vanilla Low-fat Yogurt with Frosted Flakes Vanilla Low-fat Yogurt with Froot Loops Vanilla Low-fat Yogurt with Krave

	YOGURT AND YOGURT SMOOTHIES IN PORTABLE POUCHES (posted April 28, 2014) St. Paul, MN-based Kemps LLC is the latest U.S. dairy to enter the growing cultured dairy pouch business. The company made its first shipment this past week and product will start appearing in dairy cases today! The company offers two concepts: a 2X the protein yogurt and a “slurpable” yogurt smoothie. The 113-milliliter Yogurt To Go pouches, which carry the tagline of “Never slow down to snack,” come in three flavors: Mixed Up Berry, Smashing Strawberry and Strawberry Banana. The ingredient legend reads: Low Fat Milk, Ultrafiltered Skim Milk, Sugar, Milk Protein Concentrate, Contains 2% Or Less Of Natural Flavor, Vegetable Juice (color), Rebiana And Monk Fruit Juice Concentrate (sweeteners), Corn Syrup, Food Starch-modified (corn & Tapioca), Salt, Pectin, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3, Live And Active Cultures. Each pouch contains 110 calories, 1 gram of fat, 8 grams of protein and 16 grams of sugar. The 118-milliliter Yogurt Smoothie To Go pouches, which carry the tagline of “Slurp it down,” come in two flavors: PomBerry and Strawberry Splash. The ingredient legend reads: Low Fat Milk, Sugar, Contains 2% Or Less Of Natural Flavors, Fruit And Vegetable Juice Concentrate (color), Food Starch-modified (corn And Tapioca), Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Live And Active Cultures. Each pouch contains 100 calories, 1 gram of fat, 4 grams of protein and 16 grams of sugar. Both product lines sport a gluten-free claim. They are sold in four-pack combo cartons. For more information, visit www.kemps.com.

	MEN’S YOGURT NOW AVAILABLE IN BULGARIA (posted April 21, 2014) Danone develops a yogurt with men’s taste, texture and packaging preferences in mind. The global yogurt powerhouse launched its own yogurt product line for men in Bulgaria in summer 2013. The successful concept is currently being expanded to other markets. In a number of studies, Danone Bulgaria found that Bulgarian men prefer yogurt products with a thick consistency and a high-fat content. Natural ingredients were also preferred. The company also learned about package and design preferences, which influenced the company to feature a deep black color, a symbol of strength and dominance. Straightforward, minimalist graphics also appeal to the male aesthetic sense. The masculine need for clear structures is reflected in a unique cup shape. The shape of the sleeved cup presented a technical challenge, especially with respect to the filling process, according to the package designer. The line includes two cups sizes: 190 and 370 grams. The yogurt contains 5% milkfat and comes in two extra-thick varieties: Peach Slices and Walnut Pieces. The cup products are so thick they can be consumed with a fork. There is also a drinkable plain version. For more information, www.danone.bg.

	PROBIOTIC YOGURT DRINKS WITH BENEFITS (posted April 14, 2014) Origin Food Group introduces Vida, a line of probiotic drinkable yogurts enhanced with functional ingredients. There are three formulations, all of which are a good source of fiber and high in calcium. A serving also contains 200 million live and active cultures. Awaken is positioned as a breakfast drink. It contains real bananas and strawberries and is fortified with essential vitamins. Invigor contains plant-based, heart-healthy phytosterols. It is flavored with mango and guanabana. Rejuvenate is made with acai, blueberries and pomegranate. It is enhanced with CoQ10 and vitamin E, both of which are associated with producing energy for cell growth. Vida comes in multi-serve 32-ounce plastic bottles. The company also makes Früsh, a line of premium fruit and yogurt smoothies. The product was launched in 2012. You can read more about it HERE. For more information, visit www.originfoodgroup.com.

	PRIVATE-LABEL YOGURT POUCHES FOR KIDS (posted April 10, 2014) Discount private-label retailer Aldi jumps on the yogurt pouch bandwagon. The new Yogurt Squeezies product line is part of the retailer’s growing SimplyNature brand. The product comes in one combo box of four 3.5-ounce pouches. There are two of each Mixed Berry and Strawberry-Banana. Each low-fat yogurt pouch contains 90 calories. Front panels tout that the product is made with all-natural ingredients; is a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D; and contains live and active cultures. The four-pack debuted with a special promotional price of $1.99.

	Read about this product in the Powerful Proteins Come from Milk blog posted April 3, 2104. Link HERE.

	PREMIUM PROBIOTIC YOGURT WITH ANTIOXIDANT-RICH DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPS (posted March 31, 2014) Johanna Companies, under its flagship La Yogurt brand, has created an entirely new way to enjoy yogurt with new La Chocolãt. This indulgent low-fat yogurt serves as a snack or dessert, providing a healthful way to satisfy chocolate cravings. La Chocolãt gives every chocolate lover “permission to indulge” and the package design instantly conveys that message. Made with real dark chocolate chips (naturally rich in antioxidants) plus added immunity and digestive benefits of probiotic low-fat yogurt, the La Chocolãt package design communicates the brand’s unique position with packaging that instantly tells the indulgent chocolate story. Messaging strongly conveys flavor and rich dark chocolate. The full 6-ounce shrink-sleeve cups employ a range of warm, chocolaty tones contrasting the La Chocolãt branding, elegantly rendered in metallic gold inks. Each flavor is flanked by a mouth-watering illustration of dark chocolate chip-infused yogurt combinations such as Banana, Cherry, Mint, Mocha, Strawberry and Vanilla. Even the lids, printed with pantone gold metallic inks on foil, add to the premium chocolate cue--reminiscent of unwrapping the foil from your favorite piece of chocolate--in which you just can’t wait to taste. Fortified with vitamins A and D, and labeled as gluten-free, each serving contains 190 to 200 calories, depending on variety, as well as 2.5 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein. The five-variety line debuted in the Northeast and select Southeast markets, where distribution is growing. The brand will expand into the Mid-Atlantic region this summer. The suggested retail price is 99 cents to $1.19. For more information, visit www.layogurt.com/lachocolatfb.

	NEWMAN’S OWN GETS INTO THE YOGURT BUSINESS (posted March 27, 2014) Newman’s Own introduces Newman’s Own Greek Nonfat Yogurt to its lineup of great-tasting, philanthropy-driven products. The “All Profits to Charity” business model hopes to attract Greek yogurt consumers. The company’s business model has led to $400 million in charitable donations. The five-variety line is being introduced in Boston, where Newman’s Own first launched all of its products since the company started in 1982. Very soon, distribution will expand to other major markets in the Northeast. The difference in the Newman’s Own Greek Nonfat Yogurt is the fruit--big pieces of delicious fruit on the bottom--plus a thicker, creamier yogurt texture, according to the company. The five varieties are: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Peach, Pineapple and Strawberry. Each 5.3-ounce container provides 12 grams of protein, five live and active cultures and zero grams of fat. It is all natural, with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. The suggested retail price is $1.49. For more information, visit www.newmansown.com.

	NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE HAPPY COWS ARE MAKING YOGURT (posted March 19, 2014) Rich, creamy and ridiculously thick is how this company describes its refrigerated, authentically strained Greek Yogurt. Three Happy Cows, a Dallas-based yogurt company, was founded in 2011 with the goal of providing high-quality, great-tasting Greek and drinkable yogurt free of artificial hormones, artificial flavors and preservatives. After a fire destroyed the Three Happy Cows plant, the brand was forced to halt production for several months while searching for a new production facility. Cup yogurts made their happy return during Natural Products Expo West. “We could not be more excited to return to Texas retailers,” says Three Happy Cows Director of Marketing Brian Twomey. “After the fire, we had to take time to identify new production. It was difficult for us to be temporarily unavailable to consumers that truly loved our product. However, the time enabled us to develop a new flavor, Vanilla Bean, and update our packaging. We are ecstatic to be back and better than ever.” Varieties are: Blueberry, Caramel, Strawberry and Vanilla Bean. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 160 calories, 3 grams of fat and 15 grams of protein and is loaded with live and active yogurt and probiotic cultures. “Retailers have welcomed Three Happy Cows products onto shelves,” Twomey said. “The ridiculously thick, fork-worthy texture and non-tart taste profile are unique qualities that set us apart from consumers’ many yogurt choices. We are excited for the opportunity to continue to grow and share Three Happy Cows with new communities throughout the U.S.” Regional expansion includes Colorado, Oklahoma and the Midwest by the end of 2014. The next phase will focus on West Coast distribution. The suggested retail price is $1.79. For more information, visit www.threehappycows.com.

	VEGETABLES MEET DAIRY IN NEW DRINKABLE KEFIR (Posted March 10, 2014) Squeezing more veggies as well as more probiotics into one’s diet just got easier with new Veggie Kefir from Lifeway Foods Inc. The first veggie/kefir combo on the market, this savory smoothie comes in three varieties--Beet, Cucumber and Tomato—for a great change of pace from fruity probiotic fare. The drinks not only provide a powerhouse of flavor without the added sugar, but also delivers a double dose of “healthy” by packing one full serving of vegetables as well as 12 probiotic cultures into every 8-ounce bottle. Lifeway’s segue into a new food group introduces an extra boost of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients from vegetables, on top of the immunity- and digestion-enhancing effects of kefir’s probiotics. All three varieties are light and refreshing, 99% lactose-free, naturally gluten-free and brimming with 11 grams of protein per serving with just 2 grams of fat. Lifeway Veggie Kefir will be available in 8-ounce individual bottles and four-packs this spring. “Roughly half of our daily diet should consist of fruits and vegetables, according to the latest dietary guidelines, but most consumers fall short on the veggie side because vegetables aren’t as easy to consume as a banana or an apple,” says Julie Smolyansky, president and CEO. “Our new Veggie Kefir is a simple way to increase your veggie consumption, drink your probiotics at the same time and cut down on sugar without sacrificing taste.” For more information, visit www.kefir.com.

	FIBER-ENRICHED, GREEK-STYLE DRINKABLE YOGURTS (posted March 5, 2014) GlenOaks Farms adds Greek-style drinkable yogurts to its product lineup. The new low-fat beverage, which comes in 24-fluid-ounce (multi-serving) plastic bottles, comes in three flavors: Peach, Raspberry and Strawberry. This Greek-style product is lactose-free, gluten-free and is made from milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones. Each bottle contains four servings, with a single 6-ounce serving containing 160 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. The product gets its protein boost from the addition of milk protein concentrate. The fiber, which is inulin derived from chicory root, is delivered via the fruit base. For more information, visit www.glenoaksyogurt.com.

	YOGURT SMOOTHIES FOR KIDS GET MAXED (posted February 26, 2014) Danimals drinkable yogurt smoothies now come in a larger size. Bigger kids require larger portions, bigger bottles and more dynamic flavors. That’s what you get with new Danimals Smoothie Max, which comes in four packs of 7-fluid-ounce bottles. Varieties are: Orange Cream Extreme, Rainbow Sherbet Burst, Strawberry Blitz and Ultimate Strawberry Banana. A single bottle contains 120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. Like other Danimals Smoothies, the new Max line contains no high-fructose corn syrup nor any artificial colors or flavors. For more information, visit www.danimals.com.

	DUAL-COMPARTMENT DECADENT YOGURT (posted February 19, 2014) Muller yogurt, a beloved brand in Europe and now available throughout the U.S., is expanding its reach in the States with the launch of Muller Dark Chocolate with cherry, raspberry and pecan granola. Each variety blends delectable dark chocolate shavings into silky low-fat yogurt and then pairs it with classic combinations of fruit or crunchy clusters. New Muller Corner Dark Chocolate Cherry, Raspberry and Pecan Granola join other fan-favorite flavors like Muller Greek Corner Caramelized Almonds, Muller Corner Choco Balls and Muller FrutUp Luscious Lemon. “We are dedicated to providing irresistible combinations that satisfy consumer’s desire for great-tasting food that they can still feel good about eating,” says Barbara Yehling, chief marketing officer at Muller Quaker Dairy. All Muller yogurt varieties are made with reduced-fat, Grade A milk and are a good source of calcium and protein. The two new fruit varieties contain 170 calories, 3 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. The pecan granola variety has 210 calories, 6 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. The 5.3-ounce dual-compartment yogurts have a suggested retail price of $1.29. For more information, visit www.mullerquaker.com.

	SINGLE-SERVE KEFIR FOR LITTLE HANDS (posted February 5, 2014) Lifeway Foods introduces Probugs Blast. The company extends its popular squeezable pouch kids’ kefir brand into a bottle. There are four fun flavors for bigger kids. Varieties are: Cherry Lime Supernova, Grape Galaxy, Peach Mango Moon and Strawberry Kiwi Comet. These low-organic kefir drinks come in 3.5-ounce bottles and are sold in packs of four. Each drink contains 12 live and active probiotic cultures and is 99% lactose and gluten free. A single bottle contains 60 calories, 1 gram of fat, 9 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.lifeway.net.

	YOGURT GETS IN THE ZONE (posted January 30, 2014) YoCrunch offers Zone Perfect co-branded protein-enhanced yogurts. Like other YoCrunch yogurts, the Zone Perfect products come in a container with a dome top that holds flavorful mix-ins. Zone Perfect comes in 6-ounce containers in packs of two. The yogurt in the two varieties is the same: protein-rich vanilla yogurt. The toppings are what is different. The one with Chocolate Peanut Butter Pieces contains 200 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. The one with Double Dark Chocolate Pieces contains 190 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. They both provide 16 grams of protein and 15 vitamins and minerals. The protein enrichment comes from the addition of milk protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. Paris-based Danone purchased YoCrunch in August 2013, a company founded in 1985 that had net sales of $110 million and double-digit growth in recent years. For more information, visit www.yocrunch.com.

	REFRIGERATED YOGURT POUCHES FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND KIDS (posted January 20, 2014) Stonyfield introduces a range of yogurt pouches to meet the nutritional needs of its youngest consumers. Unlike pouch yogurt products in the market that are sold at ambient temperature, these pouches require refrigeration to keep the probiotic cultures alive and thriving. As a first food, YoBaby is whole milk yogurt enhanced with fish-oil sourced DHA and EPA, omega-3 fatty acids associated with brain development. YoToddler is a similar formulation, while YoKids is low-fat yogurt without omega-3 fatty acids. All of the yogurts are fortified with vitamin D. YoBaby comes in 3.4-ounce pouches in four varieties: Blueberry, Mango, Sweet Potato and Vanilla. Each pouch contains 100 calories and 3 grams of fat. YoToddler comes in 3.7-ounce pouches in two varieties: Pear Spinach Mango and Strawberry Beet Raspberry. Each pouch contains 110 to 120 calories, depending on variety and 3.5 grams of fat. YoKids comes in 3.7-ounce pouches in three varieties: Blueberry, Strawberry and Strawberry Banana. Each pouch contains 110 calories and 2 grams of fat. The pouches are sold individually as well as in four packs. The suggested retail price is $1.49 and $4.99, respectively. For more information, visit www.stonyfield.com.

	FARMSTYLE DEBUTS AS A NEW GREEK YOGURT VARIANT (posted January 8, 2014) Tillamook, a farmer-owned cooperative, introduces authentically strained Farmstyle Greek Yogurt in innovative and classic flavors. The line is made with no artificial flavors or colors, nor any artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup. Tillamook Farmstyle Greek is a thick, creamy and less tart yogurt made with buttermilk cultures, while providing 14 grams of protein per serving. To make this Greek yogurt distinctively “Farmstyle,” Tillamook slow churns farm-fresh milk with seven active yogurt and buttermilk cultures. “This is a product unlike any other Greek yogurt available,” says Jay Allison, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our Farmstyle Greek Yogurt is made the right way and we’re confident that our fans will love this product. It took a while, but we got it right.” Seven varieties are available in 5.3-ounce cups. They are: Cinnamon Hazelnut, Coffeehouse Blend, Honey Peach, Old Fashioned Vanilla, Oregon Blueberry, Oregon Strawberry and Washington Raspberry. The suggested retail price is $1.25. There are also three varieties available in 32-ounce multi-serving tubs. They are Plain & Simple 0%, Plain & Simple 2% and Old Fashioned Vanilla. The suggested retail price is $5.99 to $6.99. Most ingredients for the new Tillamook Farmstyle Greek line are locally sourced from the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.tillamook.com.

	YOGURT SMOOTHIES IN UNIQUE FLAVOR COMBINATIONS (posted January 2, 2014) Cacique reinvents its Yonique drinkable low-fat yogurts into a namesake yogurt smoothie line. There are eight varieties. Five fruit-only varieties and three that are blended with cereal. They are: Guava Mango Pecan with Cereal Pina Colada Prune with Cereal Strawberry Strawberry-Banana Strawberry-Banana with Cereal The cereal is wheat bran. The pecan variety contains real dry-roasted pecans. Each single-serve 7-ounce bottle contains 8 grams of protein and 120 to 150 calories, depending on variety. Calories are kept low through the use of a blend of sugar and sucralose. A serving is an excellent source (25%) of calcium. Product labels tout the fact that they are made with “real fruit” and “real California milk.” Labels also claim the inclusion of live and active cultures that help support digestive health. A logo states: Probiotics at work. The suggested retail price is 79 cents. For more information, visit www.caciqueinc.com.

	CONSUMERS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH NEW YOPLAIT LIMITED EDITION FLAVORS (posted December 25, 2013) Fan-selected flavors are Mocha Mint and Peppermint Bark. Yoplait fans voted for the winter seasonal flavors featured this holiday and Yoplait listened. Yogurt lovers can enjoy the cool and minty winter flavors--Yoplait Light Mocha Mint and Yoplait Original Peppermint Bark--but only for a limited time. “Yoplait’s consumers have enjoyed the spring and fall seasonal flavors and the demand continues to bring limited-time seasonal yogurts with trending flavors they desire,” says Blake Holman, associate marketing manager-Yoplait. “During the holidays, peppermint is a huge hit with consumers and our fans selected peppermint bark and mocha mint as the winter seasonal flavors they wanted Yoplait to make.” Yoplait’s seasonal flavors not only satisfy by providing the immediate pleasure of an indulgent yet nutritious dessert, consumers can also use the new flavors to make some fun and trendy recipes for the holidays. Recipes on the brand’s website include: Candy Cane Dip, Frozen Mocha Mint Cups, Mocha Mint Cordial Cups and Peppermint Bark Brownie Shots. Both flavors are a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Yoplait Light Mocha Mint contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 90 calories and Yoplait Original Peppermint Bark contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 170 calories. Yoplait Light features the Weight Watchers shield showing a PointsPlus value of 2 per serving. The suggested retail price per four-pack is $2.00. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com.

	ALL-NATURAL 100-CALORIE STRAINED GREEK YOGURT (posted December 16, 2013) Chobani introduces Simply 100 Greek Yogurt, a 100-calorie authentic strained Greek Yogurt made with only natural ingredients. The product comes in six flavors: Black Cherry, Blueberry, Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry and Vanilla. To keep calories at 100, the yogurt is sweetened with a proprietary blend of three natural sweeteners: monk fruit, stevia leaf extract and evaporated cane juice. “Our food philosophy is essential to our brand and evident in everything we make, say and do. Anything with the Chobani name has to be delicious, nutritious, made with only natural ingredients and accessible to everyone,” says Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani. “Until now, consumers looking for a 100-calorie Greek yogurt with natural ingredients haven’t had an option. For us, it’s about being best to market—and we think the time we’ve spent perfecting Chobani Simply 100 has resulted in a product worth the wait.” Each 5.3-ounce single-serve cup of this nonfat yogurt contains 100 calories, 12 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. The fiber comes from the addition of chicory root fiber. The suggested retail price is $1.29 per container. For more information, visit www.chobani.com.

	SWEET POTATO YOGURT JOINS OTHER VEGGIE FLAVORS (posted December 9, 2013) Blue Hill grows its vegetable-flavored yogurt line. Blue Hill has dairy in its roots. Blue Hill Farm—a family farm in the Berkshires, NY, and the original inspiration for the company’s Blue Hill restaurant in New York City and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, NY—was a working dairy from the 1860s through the 1960s. Three decades later, the owners refurbished the farm and brought the dairy back to life. The result is Blue Hill Yogurt, a line of whole milk yogurts made from grass-fed milk and locally grown vegetables. The packaged retail cups first launched in September 2013, in three varieties: Beet, Carrot and Tomato. A few weeks later, Butternut Squash joined the line-up. And just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Sweet Potato debuted. Here’s what these innovative yogurts are made with: Beet: Pasteurized Whole Milk, Roasted Beets, Honey, Raspberry Vinegar, Beet Juice Concentrate, Sea Salt, Live Active Cultures Butternut Squash: Pasteurized Whole Milk, Roasted Butternut Squash, Fresh Sage, Sea Salt, Maple Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Live Active Cultures Carrot: Pasteurized Whole Milk, Carrots, Water, Carrot Juice Concentrate, Sea Salt, Live Active Cultures Sweet Potato: Grade A Pasteurized Whole Milk, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Honey, Maple Syrup, Sea Salt, Ginger Puree, Lemongrass, Maple Sugar, Vanilla Extract, White Pepper, Live Active Cultures Tomato: Grade A Pasteurized Whole Milk, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Honey, Maple Syrup, Sea Salt, Ginger Puree, Lemongrass, Maple Sugar, Vanilla Extract, White Pepper, Live Active Cultures Blue Hill Yogurt is currently available in select Whole Foods in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. A 6-ounce cup contains 100 to 120 calories, 4.5 to 6 grams of fat and 4 to 5 grams of protein, depending on variety. A single container has a suggested retail price of $2.99. For more information, visit www.bluehillyogurt.com.

	FROSTED CINNAMON ROLL-FLAVORED DRINKABLE YOGURT (posted December 4, 2013) Dannon’s most recent limited-edition seasonal kids’ yogurt drink is on trend with one of the hottest flavors for 2014: cinnamon. New Frosted Cinnamon Roll Danimals Smoothies come in six-packs of 93-milliliter kid-sized bottles. Like other Danimals Smoothies, this new flavor contains no high-fructose corn syrup, nor any artificial colors or flavors. They also do not contain any fruit juice, and labels state this fact. A single bottle contains 60 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, 10 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.danimals.com.

	REFRIGERATED YOGURT POUCHES DEBUT IN STATES (posted November 25, 2013) YoYummy is the most recent addition to Green Mountain Creamery Made in Vermont yogurt, which is produced by Commonwealth Dairy LLC., a joint venture between Ehrmann USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Germany’s Ehrmann AG, and Commonwealth Yogurt. Developed for children, YoYummy is a natural low-fat yogurt packaged in convenient squeezable pouches. Unlike most other pouched yogurt products in the market that are shelf stable, which means they do not contain live and active cultures, YoYummy requires refrigeration. This ensures that the consumer gets a healthy dose of beneficial bacteria. YoYummy comes in four flavors: Cotton Candy, Mixed Berry, Strawberry and Strawberry-Banana. The 3.5-ounce pouches are sold in four packs in two different combinations: Cotton Candy and Strawberry-Banana, and Mixed Berry and Strawberry. The suggested retail price is $4.99. Like other products by the company, YoYummy does not contain any high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Made with low-fat milk from Vermont cows not treated with any artificial growth hormones, each pouch contains 90 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 14 grams of sugar and 5 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.yoyummykids.com.

	WINTER-SEASON YOGURTS DEBUT IN GERMANY (posted November 20, 2013) Molkerei Söbbeke GmbH introduces four limited-edition flavors of premium yogurt. The flavors are: Apple Raisin with Cinnamon, Pink Guava Mango, Plum Walnut, and Vanilla Almond with Cinnamon. The limited-edition flavors are available from December to the end of February. The premium 3.8% milkfat yogurts come in 500-gram multi-serving glass containers. For more information, visit www.soebbeke.de.

	DRINKABLE YOGURT MADE WITH GRASS-FED MILK (posted October 28, 2013) Maple Hill Creamery uses organic whole milk from 100% grass-fed cows that graze on a handful of local farms in upstate New York. These farms are located 75 miles or closer to Maple Hill’s processing facility in Stuyvesant, NY. The new 12-ounce drinkable yogurt line comes in the same flavors as the company’s cup yogurts. Varieties are: Lemon, Maple, Orange Cream, Plain, Vanilla and Wild Blueberry. A 6-ounce serving of the flavored drinkables contains 150 calories and 7 grams of both fat and protein. They are sweetened with just a bit of organic sugar, keeping total sugars to 16 grams per 6-ounce serving, which is considerably less than most drinkable yogurts, according to the company. The company uses a gentle, slow-culturing process, which yields a naturally thick product without any addition of thickeners or stabilizers. Maple Hill Creamery was founded in 2009 with the simple desire to make the healthiest yogurt the founders could for their kids using certified organic milk from their own 100% grass-fed family cows. During the past few years, the company has grown from a completely family-run operation to a thriving small manufacturer of whole milk, European-style yogurt products. For more information, visit www.maplehillcreamery.com.

	TRIO-COMPARTMENT QUARK AND YOGURT PRODUCTS (posted October 8, 2013) Ehrmann, with global headquarters in Germany and a recent expansion into the U.S., extends its unique Heart’s Desire trio-compartment container to now include quark and two complementary mix-ins. The 150-gram package ranges in a quark content of 110 to 120 grams, along with 25 to 30 grams of fruit and the remainder being the crunchy mix-ins. This product is a recipient of Anuga’s “taste 13” competition, which recognizes the best new products at the show. Congratulations! The quark is whipped to make it light and fluffy. Varieties are: Apple-Pear & Chocolate Muesli Apricot-Banana & Crunchy Muesli Harvest Fruit & Chocolate Muesli Strawberry & Crunchy Muesli The company has also added two new decadent yogurt varieties: Country Raspberries & Chocolate Curls and Mandarin Cheesecake & Wafers For Halloween, the company extends its Monster Backe brand to the trio-compartment container. Yogurt is the main component. The sweet, fruity component is strawberry, lemon or woodruff. The latter is a popular flavoring herb in Germany. The other compartment contains sour, fizzy candies. For more information, visit www.ehrmann.de.

	ASIAN-STYLE YOGURT (posted September 30, 2013) Tarté Asian Yogurt has a lightly sweet flavor and is loaded with protein. Though new to American consumers, Asian yogurt has deep roots in the French-influenced Indochina colonial period. Tarté’s take on Asian yogurt originated in the Santa Monica, CA-based kitchen of brothers and company founders, Winston and Harry Lee. Their product was further developed in the Dairy Products Technology Center at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. Made with California-sourced milk, foil lids show the Real California Milk seal and tell the brothers’ story of the product’s conception. The yogurt gets its lightly sweet flavor from the natural milk sugars that are caramelized during a slow-cooking process. Extra sweetness comes from the use of a stevia-based sweetener, which keeps calories low (115 to 120 per serving). With 13 to 14 grams of protein per 6-ounce cup, the product also packs in a billion probiotic cultures into each serving. Tarté Asian Yogurt comes in five flavors: Original, Green Tea & Honey, Mango & Coconut, Blueberry & Acai, and Strawberry & Guanabana. The suggested retail price is $1.79 per cup. For more information, visit www.tarteyogurt.com.

	NO SPOON REQUIRED--REAL GREEK YOGURT GETS POUCHED (posted September 23, 2013) Chobani Greek Yogurt is now available in portable pouches. This convenient form of authentic, strained yogurt is rolling out to the Australian marketplace. The refrigerated yogurt is the same product available in cups, just now in recloseable 140-gram pouches. Chobani’s unique authentic straining process requires three liters of milk to make one liter of yogurt, which gives it its thick texture, creamy taste and high-protein content. “Our new Chobani Pouches provide an exciting and convenient way for Australians to experience authentic strained Greek yogurt that tastes delicious and is a good source of protein. Packed with 10 essential nutrients, including high-quality dairy protein and carbohydrate, it’s the ideal post-workout snack for people who are constantly on the go,” says Emily Houlahan, communications manager for Chobani Australia. The fat-free, blended pouches of yogurt come in three flavors: Blueberry, Honey and Strawberry. Chobani Greek Yogurt is free of preservatives, artificial colors and artificial flavors. Each pouch contains 11 to 13 grams of protein, depending on variety. “Australia is Chobani’s first market to introduce pouches so we’re very excited to be pioneering this format for the company in Australia,” says Peter Meek, managing director, Chobani Australia. “Feedback from our customers was that they would love to enjoy Chobani while they’re out and about, so we’ve developed Chobani Pouches to meet that need – no spoon required!” The suggested retail price per pouch is AUD$1.99. For more information, visit www.chobani.com.au.

	GREEK YOGURT GETS DRINKABLE IN CANADA (posted September 11, 2013) Astro introduces a drinkable version of its Greek yogurt, including a unique flavor. Parmalat Canada’s Astro brand now offers a line of drinkable yogurts. Each single-serve 200-milliliter bottle contains 160 calories and 12 grams of protein. Flavors are: Strawberry, Raspberry Vanilla and Honeyberry. The company explains on its website: A honeyberry looks similar to a blueberry. It has an excellent and unique flavor and tastes like a combination of blueberry and raspberry. Honeyberries are cultivated in North America, Japan and Russia, as well as in Canada in the Prairies, Saguenay Region and Nova Scotia. Honeyberry fruits are suitable for fresh eating and can be substituted in almost any berry fruit recipe, especially blueberry recipes with some adjustments for sweetness levels. For more information, visit www.astro.ca.

	VITAMIN C-CHARGED YOGURT SMOOTHIE (posted September 4, 2013) Borden Dairy Co., a subsidiary of Group LALA, has reformulated and rebranded its Frusion Drinkable Yogurt, a former Dannon brand. Frusion C-Charged is a six-flavor line of 7-ounce yogurt (with live and active cultures) smoothies packed with real fruit in the form of puree and sauce. Each single-serve bottle contains a full day’s supply of vitamin C and half of your recommended daily dose of calcium. A serving is also a good source of protein. The flavors are: Banana Berry, Kiwi Strawberry, Peach Passion, Pina Colada, Strawberry and Wild Berry. The smoothies are sold in packs of four, as well as single-serve bottles. The company has an aggressive introductory promotion via Facebook and its website that provides a full refund for trying one four-pack or four single bottles of Frusion when purchased between 7/22/13 and 10/15/13. For more information, visit www.frusion.com.

	SKYR YOGURT FOR KIDS (posted August 12, 2013) siggi’s uses real fruit, simple ingredients and not a lot of sugar in its new yogurt tubes. siggi’s launches its first kids’ product line: siggi’s squeezable yogurt tubes. Just in time for back-to-school, the new line adheres to siggi’s commitment to low sugar, high protein and simple ingredients. The tubes come in three flavors: Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry. Each tube has 40% to 50% less sugar than the leading tube yogurt with more than twice the protein, according to the company. With no artificial sweeteners, colorings or preservatives, it’s simply a healthy snack for any lunchbox, breakfast or snack on the go. “Added sugar in various forms is way too prevalent in children’s diets today even in normally healthy items such as yogurt,” says Siggi Hilmarsson, founder of siggi's dairy, “siggi’s was founded on the principal of creating authentic healthy yogurts that are low in sugar and contain simple, no-nonsense ingredients. We are thrilled to now add a much needed kid’s option to our lineup.” The product debuted nationwide on August 1. The kids’ product line joins the company’s siggi’s classic skyr yogurt, filmjölk drinkable yogurt and probiotic drinkable yogurt. Skyr is the traditional yogurt of Iceland. It is made by incubating skim milk with live active cultures. The whey is strained away to make for a much thicker, creamier, concentrated yogurt. So to make just one cup of skyr, with all that water going out, you need three to four times the amount of milk required to make a regular cup of yogurt. As a result of this process, skyr contains two to three times the protein of standard yogurt. For more information, visit www.siggisdairy.com

	YOGURT WITH FRUIT (posted August 5, 2013) Yoplait introduces whole milk yogurt loaded with fruit. Yoplait Fruitful comes in six varieties: Blueberry, Cherries & Red Berries, Mango Pineapple & Orange, Peach, Pineapple and Strawberry. Each 6-ounce container delivers one-third cup of real fruit. Ingredient statements are clean and simple with products containing no artificial ingredients. All varieties use premium fruit. Only the strawberry variety gets a little help with color through the inclusion of black carrot juice concentrate. Each 6-ounce container delivers 150 to 170 calories, depending on variety, and 5 grams of both fat and protein. For more information, visit www.generalmills.com.

	ORGANIC LOWFAT KEFIR, FROM DOWN UNDER (posted July 30, 2013) Wallaby Yogurt Company introduces Organic Lowfat Kefir. This family-owned producer of organic yogurt is entering the growing drinkable kefir market. Kefir is a probiotic milk beverage that contains a variety of live and active cultures, and has long been associated with different health benefits. What was once a niche market in the United States, kefir has been growing in popularity as consumers become more aware of the healthful benefits of consuming this cultured milk beverage. Wallaby Organic Lowfat Kefir comes in four different flavors: Blueberry, Strawberry, Vanilla and a traditional Plain. A one-cup serving of Plain contains 90 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. A serving of the flavored varieties contains 150 calories, 2 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. Wallaby’s Organic Lowfat Kefir features 12 different strains of live and active kefir cultures, premium fruit and organic milk from pasture-based family farms. The company says the beverage is light, similar to a smoothie. It comes in family-friendly, multi-serve 32-ounce plastic bottles with a suggested retail price of $4.29. For more information, visit www.wallabyyogurt.com.

	IMMUNE-BOOSTING DRINKABLE YOGURT (posted July 22, 2013) Pro Defensis is made with a proprietary ingredient clinically proven to boost key immune cells. Grupo Gloria, Peru’s largest commercial dairy company, is the first to use Wellmune WGP yeast-derived beta glucan in a drinkable yogurt product. The beverage—Pro Defensis—was introduced during the first quarter of 2013 and is currently sold in supermarkets and convenience stores throughout Peru. The proprietary bakers yeast 1,3/1,6 glucan ingredient, in combination with added probiotics, provides synergistic immune support. Each 100-gram single-serve bottle contains 90 calories, 1.6 grams of fat and 2.5 grams of protein, along with 100 milligrams of the yeast-derived beta glucan ingredient. Varieties are vanilla and strawberry flavors. Wellmune WGP has been clinically proven to boost immune cells that help keep the body healthy. These innate immune cells (neutrophils) have a life span of several days so the body is constantly producing new ones. To maintain optimum immunity, it’s best to take Wellmune on a daily basis, which is why dairy foods are an ideal delivery vehicle. For more information, visit www.gloria.com.pe/Gyogurt_prodefensis.html.

	CHUCK E. CHEESE GETS SQUEEZED INTO THE YOGURT CASE (posted July 11, 2013) Family entertainment restaurant chain Chuck E. Cheese’s introduces refrigerated, squeezable yogurt. Produced by Schreiber Foods, new Chuck E. Cheese’s Yogurt Squeezes are a 70-calorie squeezable snack. Sold in boxes of 16 2.25-ounce tubes, the product comes in four flavors: strawberry, blueberry, melonberry and cotton candy. “When it comes to food, our priorities are freshness and high-quality ingredients. This is reflected in our pizzas made to order with 100% real mozzarella cheese, shredded by hand in store, a salad bar freshly prepared every day and gluten-free pizza and cupcakes,” says Scott McDaniel, chief marketing officer at Chuck E. Cheese’s. “As we expand Chuck E. Cheese’s branded product offerings outside our stores with new Yogurt Squeezes, we’re committed to upholding that same promise to parents.” Consumers who purchase the yogurt tubes receive $5 in savings on their next trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurants. Two coupons on every box offer a $20 deal for 100 tokens and a $19.99 play package that includes one medium one-topping pizza, two drinks and 40 tokens. For more information, visit chuckecheese.com/snacks.

	GREEK YOGURT FOR INNOVATIVE MENU CREATIONS (posted May 29, 2013) NRA 2013 had a very poor dairy showing…but Chobani made up for it! Though the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago this past May 18 to 21 had very few exhibiting dairy companies, Chobani did its best to keep dairy on the menu. To be specific, the company showed restaurant operators how they can get creative with Greek yogurt. Chobani chefs created a number of savory and sweet Greek yogurt combinations for use as appetizers, dips and desserts. The tastings, all made with Chobani yogurt, included: Mango, Cucumber and Lime Salsa with 0% plain Greek yogurt Pesto-Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Balsamic, Garlic Bread Crumbs and 2% plain Greek yogurt Strawberries, Graham Cracker Crumbles, White Chocolate and 0% vanilla Greek yogurt Ancient Grain Granola, Fresh Blueberries, Wild Flower Honey and 0% strawberry Greek yogurt Currently the company offers 0% plain, 2% plain and 0% vanilla Greek yogurt in 2-pound containers. The company is in the processing of rolling out these varieties in 5-pound tubs so that foodservice operators can get creative in the kitchen.

	WHOLE MILK FLAVORED YOGURT FOR BABY (posted May 21, 2013) Yoplait is the latest yogurt maker to join the baby yogurt extravaganza. New Yoplait Baby comes in two flavors: Banana and Pear. Packages tout the fact that the yogurt is made from just five simple ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners; however, a number of “mommy bloggers” have taken issue with the fact that the yogurts are only fruit flavored. They don’t actually contain any fruit. The five ingredients are: cultured pasteurized Grade A whole milk, sugar, corn starch, natural flavor and turmeric extract (for color). The product is designed for babies six months and older. The product is sold in four packs of 3-ounce cups, with each cup containing 80 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 9 grams of sugar. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com/products/yoplait-baby.

	MADE-IN-WISCONSIN GREEK-STYLE YOGURT (posted May 13, 2013) Award-winning feta cheesemaker decides to get cultured. Klondike Cheese Co., adds Greek yogurt to its production line. After experiencing the skill of making Greek yogurt first hand in Greece, this family-owned (fourth generation) cheesemaking company located in rural Wisconsin decided the time was right to extend its Odyssey brand of feta cheese to the latest craze in dairy: Greek yogurt. The company is best known for its award-winning feta, Muenster, brick and havarti cheeses. And it plans on making a name in the refrigerated yogurt case—through both its own brand and private label. Tradition is important to the company, which began making feta in 1988, the old-fashioned way. And this commitment to custom will carry through to the yogurt-making process. According to the Wisconsin State Farmer, the Odyssey yogurt business is happening in a 33,000-square-foot addition to the Klondike cheesemaking plant. Two-thirds of the addition is for production and the rest is for product storage. For all the details on the company, its plant expansion and its production plans, read the report at www.wisfarmer

	DIPPING INTO GREEK YOGURT (posted May 8, 2013) General Mills introduces Yoplait Greek Dippers. The company shows consumers that Greek yogurt can be so much more than just a spoonable food. New Yoplait Greek Yogurt with Nature Valley Crunchy Multigrain Chips consist of strawberry yogurt with honey and sea salt-flavored chips and honey vanilla yogurt with honey and sea salt-flavored chips. Sold in packs of eight snack boxes (four of each flavor combo), each 5.3-ounce snack box contains a 4-ounce cup of yogurt and pack of dipping chips. Each snack box delivers 270 calories, 11 grams of protein, 19 grams of whole grain and 2 grams of fiber. The product is currently in test market in select club stores.

	FRUSH GETS CLOSE TO FRESH (posted May 1, 2013) Frush is a new yogurt and fruit shake. Loaded with fruit and cultured reduced-fat milk, the product is designed to taste like you made it fresh in your home blender. It is produced in Statesville, NC, by a dairy new to the U.S. called Origin Food Group LLC. The company has a strong presence in Ecuador under the brand Toni. Frush debuted in February 2013 in select markets in the Northeast and South. The beverage comes in four flavors: Blueberry, Peach, Strawberry and Strawberry Banana. There are two sizes: the multi-serving 32-ounce bottle and the single-serve 8.4 ounce. An 8-ounce serving contains 190 to 200 calories and 3 grams of fat. Added whey protein concentrate boosts the protein content to 9 grams. For more information, visit www.gofrush.com

	PROBIOTIC SHOT WITH L. CASEI (posted April 29, 2013) LALA Foods offers five-packs of probiotic shots. Grupo LALA is a Mexican dairy that expanded into the States in 2008 after acquiring a manufacturing plant in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2009, LALA Foods acquired National Dairy, Farmland Dairies and Promised Land. Since, the company has been actively introducing Americans to many of its dairy products that are popular in Mexico. Lalacult is a probiotic dairy beverage that contains 26 billion active Lactobacillus casei in every single-serve bottle. Each 2.57-ounce shot-style bottle contains 35 calories. Calories are kept low through a sweetening combination of high fructose corn syrup and stevia. L. casei is recognized for having a positive effect on the digestive system and with strengthening the immune system. Lalacult comes in packs of five bottles in two varieties: Grape and Original. For more information, visit www.lalafoods.com

	CHEF-INSPIRED LASSI (posted April 23, 2013) Lassi is a traditional Indian-style yogurt-based smoothie. That Indian Drink is a new line of chef-crafted lassi that comes in three creative flavor combinations: Alphonso Mango (contains the essence of rose water), Blueberry Cardamom and Raspberry Cinnamon (contains a hint of ginger). Developed by Ipshita Pall, a trained French culinary chef experienced in Indian-Latin fine dining, the drinks are made using the finest of ingredients, such as fresh blueberries from Michigan, whole juicy raspberries from British Columbia, Alphonso mangoes from the Konkan region in India and spices from around the world. The drinks come in 8-ounce plastic bottles, with each containing 130 to 150 calories and 2 to 2.5 grams of fat, depending on variety. Each bottle also delivers more than a full serving of fruit, probiotics, 7 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber (from the fruit). The product is made with milk sourced from upstate New York and is available in select states across the country. For more information, visit HERE. www.thatindiandrink.com

	A NEW CONCEPT IN YOGHURT (posted April 16, 2013) Land O’Lakes introduces Koru Creamery Style Yoghurt under its newly established Koru Dairy LLC business based in Arden Hills, MN. Koru Creamery Style Yoghurt comes in five fruit-filled flavors: Pomegranate + Cherry, Peach, Passion Fruit, Strawberry + Goji and Mango. Koru Creamery Style Yoghurt is made with simple, real ingredients and untraditionally sweetened with honey, fruit and pure sugar. This style of yoghurt, made with a touch of cream, has a texture that is silky and smooth. According to the company: It is yoghurt done the way it is supposed to be. ‘great dairy no bull!’ is its tagline. Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 190 calories, and 7 grams of both fat and protein. They retail for $1.49 and are currently available in more than 2,000 grocers in the Northeast United States and at select retailers in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. So why spell yoghurt with an “h” like the Europeans? According to the company, it is just one of the things that makes this product different. The ‘H” stands for lots of things, including “heaven in a cup” and “honest.” For more information, visit www.korudairy.com

	GRASS-FED, ORGANIC ICELANDIC YOGURT (posted April 11, 2013) New Smari yogurt is fat free and an excellent source of protein. In Iceland, the strained yogurt known as skyr is thick, fat-free, low in sugar, and rich in protein and calcium. A signature food of Iceland since the 9th century, it kept the Vikings strong through long dark winters, where food preservation was essential. Founder Smari Asmundsson learned the secrets of skyr making from an 82-year-old dairyman from Egilsstaoir. He advised, “Get the best milk. Skim the fat. Add live cultures. Let it set. Strain the liquid. When it looks really thykk, strain even more.” Smari yogurt is made with milk from grass-fed Jersey and Guernsey cows. Each 6-ounce cup delivers 20 grams of protein. Varieties are: Blueberry, Pure, Strawberry and Vanilla. For more information, visit www.smariorganics.com.

	TROPICAL COCKTAIL-FLAVORED YOGURTS (posted April 3, 2013) Yogurt lovers can now enjoy the creamy and tropical goodness of spring flavors–Yoplait Light piña colada and Yoplait Original cosmopolitan-flavored yogurt–but only for a limited time. By popular demand, consumers’ favorite flavors to sip on the beach can now be consumed by the spoonful. Cocktail-inspired flavors are popular during seasonal times of the year. From coffees and creamers to marinades or desserts, to even beauty products, consumers love the variety and flavors but without actually consuming the real thing. “Consumers are continually looking for new and different ways to enjoy the refreshing goodness of yogurt,” says Cameron Archibald, associate marketing manager, Yoplait. “The popularity of fruity and tropical flavored drinks rises when the weather gets warm. So in response to consumer’s desires, Yoplait took favorite flavors to sip and turned them into yogurt that can now be enjoyed any time of the day.” The company is offering sweet and savory recipes using the new yogurt flavors, including piña colada cake pops, cosmopolitan bubble tea and the cosmo-pomegranate spring salad. Both flavors are a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Yoplait Light piña colada contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 90 calories and Yoplait Original cosmopolitan contains 5 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving with 170 calories. Yoplait Light features the Weight Watchers shield showing a PointsPlus value of 2 per serving. For a limited time, new Yoplait seasonal flavors are available nationally in four-packs and also available in a fridgepacks including four piña colada and four cosmopolitan cups with a suggested retail price of $2.00 per four-pack and $4.00 for a fridgepack. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com.

	POWERFUL YOGURT FOR MEN (posted March 26, 2013) All-natural, super-protein Greek yogurt is the first in the States designed specifically for men. Powerful Yogurt is a super-protein Greek yogurt that aims to serve the health and performance needs of busy men with active lifestyles. The product is differentiated from existing Greek yogurts by its 20 to 25 grams of natural protein per serving, which is a “man-sized” 8-ounce container that is at least 33% larger than most individual-serving Greek yogurts. “We worked hard to create a product that would encourage men to stay healthy and energized in a world where eating well can be hard to do,” says Carlos Ramirez, founder and CEO. “We are thrilled by the immediate and incredibly positive response that people have had to the nutrition profile, taste and concept of Powerful Yogurt. Our focus now is expanding distribution to meet demand for the product and continuing to listen to the male audience as we build this new dairy category from the ground up.” With its high protein content and seven active cultures, Powerful Yogurt is formulated to help men build muscle, burn fat and improve digestive health. All six Powerful Yogurt flavors-- Apple Cinnamon, Banana, Blueberry Acai, Mango, Plain and Strawberry--are sold in the company’s signature black and red packaging. For more information, visit www.powerful.yt.

	PASSION FRUIT AUSSIE-STYLE YOGURT (posted March 20, 2013) Noosa Finest Yoghurt shares its passion for passion fruit with the introduction of its newest flavor. As the seventh flavor in the Noosa family of all-natural yogurts, Noosa Passion Fruit is a wholesome, indulgent tropical blend of sweetness and tartness. Noosa blends ripe, whole passion fruit puree with its trademark Australian-style yogurt known for its velvety texture and creaminess to bring customers this refreshing new flavor profile. With a nod to Aussie tradition, Noosa has kept the fleshy seeds, called pips, in the blend, which offers added texture, flavor and nutrition. Passion fruit is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. “You could say we have a deep-seeded passion for passion fruit here at Noosa Finest Yoghurt,” says Koel Thomae, co-founder of Noosa Finest Yoghurt and a native of Australia. “We believe this new flavor addition to our family will be well-received by our customers who tend to appreciate a deliciously different kind of yogurt.” The milk for Noosa yogurts comes from cows at the nearby family-owned Morning Fresh Dairy in Bellvue, CO. Blended in small batches and infused with Colorado clover alfalfa honey and all-natural fruit purees, Noosa is available in Honey, Blueberry, Mango and Raspberry flavors, as well as the award-winning Strawberry Rhubarb and Peach and, now, Passion Fruit. Noosa Finest Yoghurt is sold in more than 5,000 retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Target, Safeway and Fresh Market stores. Noosa Finest Yoghurt was founded in 2009 by a collective of Aussie ex-pats and Colorado natives who set out to bring the best-tasting Aussie-style yogurt to the States. The product is packaged in 8-ounce clear tubs so that consumers can see the ample quality fruit and creamy yogurt. A 4-ounce serving of the Passion Fruit variety contains 160 calories, 6 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein. For more information, visit www.noosayoghurt.com.

	KIDS’ YOGURT SMOOTHIE CONTAINS FRUITS AND VEGGIES (posted March 4, 2013) As the only U.S. yogurt manufacturer to include vegetables in the variegate component of kids’ cup yogurt, Stonyfield shows us you can drink this great dairy + produce combo, too. New YoKids Smoothies start with a base of organic low-fat yogurt and blend in organic fruit and vegetable purees. There are two flavor combinations: Strawbana contains carrot, strawberry and banana purees. Very Berry contains sweet potato, raspberry and strawberry purees. Packaged in 3.1-ounce bottles, which are similar to Danimals drinkable yogurts that are marketed by Dannon, Stonyfield’s “dot, dot, dot” liaison in the States, Organic YoKids Smoothies are sold in similar six packs, for about one-third more of the price. Each single-serve bottle contains 70 to 80 calories, depending on variety, and 3 grams of protein. For more information, visit HERE.

	NONFAT STRAINED AND BLENDED GREEK YOGURT (posted Feb. 27, 2013) Fage introduces Fruyo, a line of 0% fat strained and blended Greek yogurt in seven varieties and two sizes. The company’s Total Greek yogurt lines, which come in 2% and 0% fat, are a fruit-on-the-side concept. Fruyo does the blending ahead of time. The 6-ounce single-serve cup comes in seven flavors: Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry and Vanilla. Calories range from 150 to 170. There is also a 17.6-ounce multi-serve container in Blueberry, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors. For more information, visit www.fage.com

	SAY OPA! FOR YOPA! (posted February 19, 2013) YoCrunch introduces a new line of authentic, strained Greek yogurt called Yopa! and gymnastics gold medalist Gabby Douglas is flipping for it! Yopa!, a contraction of Yo’ (short for yogurt) and Opa! (the Greek cheer for joy), combines the creamy, thick texture of Greek yogurt with a variety of toppings, including nine whole grain granola, toasted almonds and dark chocolate pieces. The super-creamy, Greek non-fat yogurt, which is high in protein, is made in the traditional way and from regionally sourced milk, according to the company. Self-proclaimed, life-long fan of YoCrunch, Gabby Douglas, the 2012 two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2012 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, is serving as the spokeswoman for Yopa! She is featured on the packaging, and in advertising and promotions. The tagline for Yopa!, “Balance Perfected,” complements both Gabby’s athletic prowess and her zest for life. “Growing up, I would always reach for YoCrunch because the variety of crunchy, flavorful toppings made me look forward to breakfast and it was something easy and affordable for my mom to give to me on the go,” says Douglas. “The new Yopa! cups are the perfect food for me to have before a morning workout because they are packed with protein and all-natural ingredients that fuel me up for hours.” Yopa! celebrates its introduction with a unique “Like It or It’s Free” satisfaction guarantee. Consumers are encouraged to try Yopa! risk-free as a testament of the company’s confidence in its new product line. The product sells for around $1.39 per cup and $3.49 per four-pack. For more information, visit HERE.

	EUROPEAN-STYLE CHOCOLATE-FLAVORED YOGURTS (posted February 12, 2013) Private-label retailer Trader Joe’s marries chocolate and coffee with low-fat yogurt. The company offers European Style Lowfat Yogurt in two varieties: Chocolate and Mocha. Each 5.3-ounce container provides 130 calories, 2 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. The product retails for 99 cents.

	ENHANCED-PROTEIN KIDS' YOGURT (posted February 4, 2013) Yoplait Pro-Force is General Mills’ answer to an enhanced-protein yogurt for tweens and young teens. With 2-times the protein of the leading kids’ yogurt, Pro-Force is a fantastic snack to help young all-stars bring their A-game to whatever they love most, whether it’s scoring that winning soccer goal or computing the math team to victory. It’s as healthy as it is deliciously fun. Yoplait Pro-force is sold in packs of four kid-sized cups and comes in two flavors: Mixed Berry Burst and Strawberry. Each 3.5-ounce cup contains 9 grams of protein, 90 calories and no fat, and is an excellent source of calcium. The product contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. It is sweetened with sugar and flavored with fruit and natural flavors. It obtains its vibrant color from natural fruit purees and vegetable and fruit juices. The yogurt gets its protein boost through the addition of milk protein concentrate. To promote the product, the company is leveraging the popularity of action sports through a partnership with X Games Aspen. The new packaging has vibrant colors and active-lifestyle imagery featuring X Games athletes/sports and logo. “This is a perfect fit for Pro-Force as it lines up with what kids with active lifestyles are interested in,” says Ashley Karr, Yoplait Kids associate marketing manager. “The X Games are the pinnacle of action sports and achievement and Yoplait Pro-Force is a good source of protein that can help tomorrow’s all-stars reach their fullest potential—and have a blast while doing it.” Yoplait Pro-Force rolled out with the “Bring Your A-Game” campaign, which focuses on helping parents get their kids to eat more protein. The product was sampled at the X Games this past January 24 to 27. A four-pack has a suggested retail price of $2.99. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com.

	GREEK GODS GET KEFIR (posted January 28, 2013) The Hain Celestial Group Inc., extends The Greek Gods brand to drinkable Kefir low-fat cultured milk. It comes in four flavors: Plain, Honey, Honey Vanilla and Honey Strawberry. A one-cup serving delivers 12 grams of protein and probiotic cultures. It is also gluten free and 99% lactose free. “With all of the qualities that customers expect from The Greek Gods brand Greek-Style Yogurt, we are now pleased to offer a drinkable format of The Greek Gods Kefir,” says Basel Nassar, chief operating officer of the Hain Refrigerated Foods Division. For more information, visit www.greekgodsyogurt.com.

	THE GREEK GODS GO CITRUS (posted November 7, 2012) The Greek Gods Greek-Style Yogurt from The Hain Celestial Group Inc., is introducing two new flavors to its convenient 24-ounce family-sized yogurt lineup: Honey Orange and Honey Lemon. Bright, tangy citrus coupled with sweetness from honey form the perfect complement to rich, creamy yogurt. All The Greek Gods brand yogurts are gluten-free and contain live and active cultures. The yogurt is also made with milk from cows that are not treated with growth hormones. The Greek Gods Greek-Style Yogurt recently crossed the Atlantic and is now being sold in the United Kingdom. The product range includes 6-ounce individual packages and 24-ounce family packs in varieties such as Plain and Non-Fat Plain, Fig, Honey, Pomegranate, Honey Vanilla, Honey Blueberry, Honey Strawberry and Reduced-Fat Vanilla, Cinnamon and Orange. For more information, visit www.greekgodsyogurt.com.

	FRESH FRUIT YOGURT PARFAITS (posted October 25, 2012) Fresh-cut produce and fresh foods marketer Ready Pac recognizes the value of pairing fruits and veggies with dairy. The company’s most recent innovation is a line of fresh fruit yogurt parfaits. There are five varieties: Apple, Apple/Mango, Blueberry, Grape and Mango. Each 10-ounce parfait contains low-fat vanilla yogurt on the bottom with a packet of sweet and crunchy granola in the dome top that also contains the fresh fruit. Calories range from 300 to 320, depending on variety. A few months ago, just in time for back to school, the company introduced a new line of Disney-themed Ready Pac Cool Cuts salads and mini-meals designed for elementary and middle school children. You can view them HERE. For more information, visit www.readypac.com

	FLIPPING OUT FOR GREEK YOGURT (posted October 16, 2012) Chobani is test marketing Flip, a concept that pairs Greek yogurt in one compartment with fruit in another. The consumer “flips” the fruit into the yogurt and then is ready to enjoy. The Northeast test market is on two 5.3-ounce varieties: Honey Low-Fat Yogurt with Bananas (150 calories, 2.5 grams of fat) and Vanilla Chocolate Chip Low-Fat Yogurt with Raspberries (165 calories and 4 grams of fat). For more information, visit http://chobani.com/community/blog/2012/09/announcing-chobani-flip/

	INNOVATIONS IN GOAT MILK YOGURT (posted September 27, 2012) Coach Farm has trimmed the fat, up to 62%, on its current line of Goat Milk Yogurt’s to meet growing consumer demand for products lower in fat and calories. A new Maple Brown Sugar joins the current natural flavor line up of Honey, Plain, Strawberry and Vanilla. “The Greek-like consistency and subtle creamy goat milk flavor that consumers have grown to love about Coach Farm’s Goat Milk Yogurt will stay the same,” says Steven Margarites, president of Coach Farm. “The line will still be made in small batches on the farm, only difference is we have been able to drastically cut the fat and calories.” The revamped line is replacing the current yogurt line. All five flavors will be available nationally to retailers in 6-ounce containers with a suggested retail price of $1.99. For more information, visit www.coachfarm.com

	BABIES GO BANANAS! (posted September 19, 2012) Babies, actually toddlers, will be going bananas for Stonyfield’s latest addition to its YoToddler line of yogurts. YoToddler Banana and Pumpkin is whole milk yogurt enhanced with omega-3 DHA, an essential fatty acid important for development. Sold in four packs of 4-ounce cups, each single cup contains 100 calories, 3.5 grams of fat and 4 grams of protein. During the summer of 2012, the company combined the YoBaby Meals and YoToddler lines under the YoToddler label. That means YoToddler now includes both fruit and cereal and fruit and veggie flavors. As a part of this change, YoBaby Meals Apple Sweet Potato is now YoToddler Apple Sweet Potato, and YoBaby Meals Peach Squash, YoBaby Meals Pear Green Bean and YoToddler Apple will no longer be available. The company did add YoToddler Raspberry Pear to the lineup. For more information, visit www.stonyfield.com/products/yobaby-yokids/all-about-yotoddler

	YOGURT GETS SCARY! (posted September 18, 2012) The YoCrunch Company, which takes pride in being the only yogurt company that is “all about the toppings,” is making yogurt a Halloween party must this year. The new Spooky Party Pack contains a dozen 6-ounce domed cups, half with M&Ms and half with Oreos. Both varieties use low-fat vanilla yogurt as a base product. The dozen cups come in a Halloween-themed cardboard carton, and the individual cups are also similarly decorated. For more information, visit www.yocrunch.com

	DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS DRINKABLE YOGURT (posted September 17, 2012) Skyland Foods was founded on two powerful ideas: eating nutritious food should be a delightful experience; and dairy products can do much more to address consumers’ health and wellness priorities. With those principles, the company developed IBEX Drinkable Yogurt, which will make its official debut at Natural Products Expo East later this week. The product line is comprised of four, single-serve (8 fluid ounces) drinkable yogurts with functional health benefits. Each variety has a different health benefit and flavor combination. They are: IBEX Pure&Simple: The original formulation is cultured milk and sugar, pure and simple, as the name suggests. A bottle contains 130 calories and 3.5 grams of fat and delivers all the essential nutrition of yogurt. IBEX Probiotic: This ginger-flavored cultured milk contains live and active acidophilus cultures and 3 grams of fiber to help balance the gastrointestinal system. A bottle contains 140 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. IBEX BrainBoost: This mint melon-flavored cultured milk is enhanced with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid that supports brain function and cognitive development. A bottle contains 140 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. IBEX Recovery: This banana-flavored cultured milk provides an optimal blend of protein, carbs and other nutrients that help the body recover after working or playing hard. A bottle contains 140 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. The name IBEX refers to a mountain-going animal known for its dramatic appearance and physical gifts. Ancient mythology held that it possessed mystical, even curative, properties. “The IBEX brand is all about helping people expect more from their food and get more from themselves,” says Skyland Foods Founder and CEO Brandon Partridge. “While yogurt has been a growing category in recent years, drinkable products have lagged, and we believe a fresh approach to these products can ignite additional growth in an already successful part of grocery store.” Skyland Foods is targeting distribution through the natural channel in the Mid-Atlantic region. To learn more about the trend in formulating with botanicals such as ginger and mint, connect HERE and read the Sept. 14, 2012 BLOG.. For more information about IBEX, visit www.SkylandFoods.com

	THE ULTIMATE IN YOGURT FOR CANADIANS (posted August 29, 2012) In one of the largest product launches across Canada, Ultima Foods recently revealed its own national yogurt brand: iögo. Made in Canada by Canadians and for Canadians, each iögo yogurt in the product range is free of artificial colors and flavors. With carefully crafted recipes and the freshest ingredients, iögo offers consumers more than 40 classic, exotic and delicious flavors, such as Lychee-Raspberry, Pineapple-Coconut-Banana and Melon Trio. The range consists of seven product lines: iögo, iögo 0%, iögo Probio (probiotics), iögo Greko (Greek), iögo Nomad (drinkable), iögo Zip (in tubes) and iögo Nano (fresh cheese in small containers and yogurt in mini-bottles). “iögo is a real first for Canada. It is the largest brand introduction for a Canadian company in our industry, making it truly bold, inventive and audacious,” says Gerry Doutre, president and CEO. “With iögo, we have focused our 40 years of knowledge, consumer insights and employee expertise to create a nutritious, made-in-Canada yogurt brand that we know Canadian consumers will love and enjoy. At the same time, I am incredibly proud of our employees and partners for joining us on this journey to redefine the yogurt market in Canada and set a higher standard for quality, innovation and taste.” With a streamlined package and compelling black-on-white pattern featuring delectable fruit, Ultima Foods’ iögo will simplify consumer choice through easily recognizable colors and packaging on store shelves. For more information, visit www.iogo.ca.

	MIXING CEREAL INTO YOGURT (posted August 28, 2012) YoCrunch, the American brand that offers refrigerated yogurt with mix-in toppings in an attached dome top, introduces Breakfast Blends. The new YoCrunch Breakfast Blends line includes Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt with Post Fruity Pebbles; and Greek Vanilla or Strawberry Yogurt with Post Honey Bunches of Oats. Each Fruity Pebbles variety is gluten free and has just 100 calories. The product is available in four packs of 3.75-ounce cups with a suggested retail price of $2.89. Each 6-ounce cup of the Honey Bunches of Oats varieties provides a good source of protein and vitamin C. Both varieties are available in twin-packs with a suggested retail price of $2.49. Post cereals are used through a licensing agreement with Post Holdings Inc. The brand had been part of Kraft Foods Inc., up until November 2007. Interestingly, YoCrunch has a number of licensing agreements with Kraft for use of its branded mix-in toppings, including Chips Ahoy! and Oreo. The Kraft connection goes further, as YoCrunch yogurts were previously cobranded with the Breyers brand, which at one point in time was owned by Kraft when the company was a player in the refrigerated yogurt business. The Breyers brand is no longer found on refrigerated yogurt. For more information, visit www.yocrunch.com/products/breakfast-blends.

	LIGHT YOGURT WITH FIBER (posted August 27, 2012) The Yoplait brand now includes a Light with Fiber line. Sold in four-packs of 4-ounce cups, each cup contains 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein and no fat. The ingredient statement shows that chicory root extract (inulin) is the fiber source. Calories are kept low through the use of two high-intensity sweeteners: acesulfame potassium and aspartame. Varieties are: Blueberry, Key Lime Pie, Strawberry and Vanilla. For more information, visit www.yoplait.com/products/yoplait-light-with-fiber.

	SAY GOOD MORNING WITH ACTIVIA (posted August 20, 2012) Dannon makes Activia yogurt part of the morning routine with new Breakfast Blend. Mixed with grains and available in four “breakfast-style” flavors—Apple Cinnamon, Banana Bread, Maple & Brown Sugar and Vanilla--Activia Breakfast Blend is bigger (6 ounces), heartier (190 calories and 3 grams of fat) and has twice the protein (11 grams) of other Activia varieties. But like all other Activia products, Breakfast Blend contains the company’s exclusive probiotic culture Bifidus Regularis (Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010). Activia with Bifidus Regularis has been shown to naturally regulate the digestive system when consumed daily for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Each serving of Activia contains billions of natural Bifidus Regularis cultures, which survive passage through the digestive tract in sufficient amounts for Activia to have its beneficial effects. For more information, visit www.activia.us.com/products/activia-breakfast-blend

	YOGURT WITH DOUBLE THE FRUIT(posted August 15, 2012) Yoplait Fruplait, the most recent innovation from General Mills, is a blend of Yoplait Original yogurt and fruit. What makes Fruplait stand out from other yogurts is the fact that it contains double the amount of fruit, making it a little easier for consumers to meet their daily requirements for fruits and vegetables. Packaged in clear plastic cups to show consumers the pieces of whole fruit, Fruplait is sold in four packs of 4-ounce cups at a suggested retail price of $2.89. Flavors are Strawberry and Harvest Peach, with each serving containing 110 or 120 calories, respectively. For more information, visit www.generalmills.com.

	GREEN APPLE SWISS YOGURT (Posted August 10, 2012) While Greek yogurt has been the source of category buzz for the past few years, the trend tide appears to be turning toward European-style yogurts--for those who desire a creamy, smooth texture with fresh fruit. Leading this trend is Emmi Roth USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Emmi Group, a premier Swiss dairy company, whose Swiss-style yogurt is made with all natural, high-quality ingredients in unique flavors, including the most recent addition: Green Apple. Early on, Swiss yogurt from Emmi was set apart by flavors that could not be found anywhere else in the dairy aisle, such as Apricot, Berry Pomegranate, Coffee and Pink Grapefruit, which can be found next to their more traditional flavors, such as Blueberry and Vanilla Bean. In 2011, Emmi Roth updated its Swiss-style yogurt with a new formula that has more protein (8 to 10 grams per 6-ounce cup) and less sugar. “Yogurt is a large and growing category, particularly European yogurt, and our high-quality ingredients, precise Swiss formula and distinctive flavors have set Emmi apart as a leader in the European yogurt trend,” says Guido Kaelin, vice president of marketing, Emmi of Switzerland. For more information, visit www.emmirothusa.com.

	ORGANIC GREEK YOGURT DEBUTS ON WEST COAST (posted August 7, 2012) Straus Family Creamery introduces Organic Greek Yogurt, the only non-GMO-verified, certified-organic Greek yogurt in the U.S. market, according to the company. It is also certified kosher and gluten free. No thickeners or stabilizers are ever used in any Straus Family Creamery yogurt products. Organic Greek Yogurt is made with only two ingredients: Organic milk and live, active cultures. All Straus Family Creamery products start with organic milk from the Straus and four other local, family-run dairies, with the products’ signature dairy flavor originating from the cows’ diet. The cows graze mainly on sweet pasture grasses on the hillsides of Marin and Sonoma Counties along the Northern California Coast. The fertile soil, mild, coastal climate and fresh marine air generate grassland that is highly nutritious and unique for this area, which is ideal for dairy cows, says the company. The yogurt is first slowly cultured and set in a stainless steel vat (not in the cup) and then carefully strained, which gives it its thick and silky texture, according to the company. With 6 grams more protein than Straus Family Creamery European-Style Yogurt, Organic Greek Yogurt is nutritionally beneficial, filling and great for people and families with a healthy, active lifestyle. (There’s 19 grams in an 8-ounce cup.) The new Organic Greek Yogurt comes in quart-sized, 32-ounce cups in whole milk and nonfat varieties and has a suggested retail price of $6.49. For more information, visit www.strausfamilycreamery.com.

	GETTING READY FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAYS (posted July 31,2012) The holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy friends and family, but for many, twinkling lights mean it’s time to start counting calories to avoid overindulging. Fortunately, Lifeway Food’s new Gingerbread Kefir is a delicious drink and an excellent source of protein to help curb cravings…all for only 140 calories and 2 grams of fat per 8-ounce serving. With fewer calories than most holiday desserts, Gingerbread Kefir contains 10 live and active probiotic cultures that support digestive health and immunity, is 99% lactose free (Read more about marketing to the lactose intolerant on the Daily Dose’s July 27 BLOG, which can be viewed HERE.), and provides 30% of one’s daily calcium requirement, making it a perfect pick-me-up for anyone with a sweet tooth and an eye on nutrition. Lifeway Kefir is also available in seasonal Cranberry Crème Brulee and Pumpkin Spice varieties. For more information, visit www.lifeway.net.

	JOINT VENTURE TURNS OUT THREE VARIETIES OF YOGURT (posted July 13, 2012) The new Müller Quaker Dairy joint venture includes 16 stock-keeping units (SKUs), representing three different lines. Müller Corner and Müller Greek Corner come in a dual-compartment, square-shaped container. The add-ins can be flipped, stirred or dipped into the yogurt. Corner varieties include Blueberry, Strawberry, Crispy Crunch, Choco Balls, Chocolate Flakes and Crunchy Granola. The Greek-style varieties include Honeyed Apricot, Strawberry, Blackberry & Raspberry, and Caramelized Almonds. Müller FrütUp varieties include Blueberry Bliss, Very Cherry, Luscious Lemon, Peach Passion Fruit, Radiant Raspberry and Splendid Strawberry. The fruit comes in a mousse that sits on top of the yogurt for the consumer to stir in. Read more about this joint-venture effort on my July 13, 2012 BLOG entilted "Half of All Marriages End in Divorce."

	ORGANIC PROBIOTIC GREEK YOGURT (posted July 11, 2012) Springfield Creamery is once again pioneering new territory with a line of cultured dairy products: organic and probiotic-rich Greek yogurts. True to the tradition of Greek yogurt, Springfield Creamery is using no thickeners or pectins, but instead straining off the whey to make a thick, rich, protein-high product. Nancy's Organic Probiotic Greek Yogurt offers up to 22 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving. The Nancy’s Organic Probiotic Greek yogurt line is available in 6-ounce and 24-ounce cups. Products available in the 6-ounce size are: Nonfat Plain, Nonfat Honey, Nonfat Blackberry, Nonfat Blueberry, Nonfat Raspberry and Nonfat Strawberry. Products available in the 24-ounce size are: Nonfat Plain, Nonfat Honey, Whole Milk Plain and Whole Milk Honey. Known for their real, authentic fruits, Springfield Creamery carefully cooks their fruits in small batches in their Eugene, Oregon creamery. The company uses only real organic fruits purchased from the west coast and northwest regions and sweetens the fruits with just a bit of organic agave. Family-owned and operated, Springfield Creamery is believed to be the first U.S. creamery to add beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum to its yogurt more than 40 years ago. For more information, visit www.nancysyogurt.com.

	FIRST STEVIA-SWEETENED PROBIOTIC DAIRY SHOT (Posted July 9, 2012) Yakult U.S.A. Inc., is introducing Americans to a lower-calorie version of its probiotic shot-style namesake drink. Yakult Light has almost two-thirds less sugar than regular Yakult as a result of being sweetened with only a small amount of sugar and an all-natural, stevia-based sweetener. The drink has one-third fewer calories than regular Yakult: 30 calories vs. 50 calories per 2.7-ounce bottle, respectively. The drink also uses only natural flavors and contains no preservatives, gluten or high-fructose corn syrup. Yakult Light contains the Japanese company’s proprietary active probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, which has been extensively studied in human clinical trials. The culture is named in honor of Dr. Minoru Shirota, who first cultured the strain in 1930. The strain is able to withstand strong gastric acids and reach the intestines alive. Once there, it has been shown to exert numerous health benefits, including suppression of harmful intestinal bacteria, improved digestive function and maintenance of overall health. Yakult U.S.A. also recently launched new packaging for its regular Yakult probiotic drink, which is red and white. Yakult Light will be contrasted in blue and white packaging, with the red Yakult logo. Yakult Light will start appearing in retailers’ refrigerators in mid-July, in the areas where regular Yakult is found. This includes most chain grocery stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah, and Asian and Hispanic independent markets in these and several other states. Yakult U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is located in Torrance, CA, and supports Yakult’s business in the United States and Canada. Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. was established in 1955 and is regarded as the world’s pioneer of probiotics. Yakult products are sold in 32 countries. Global consumption of Yakult's dairy products is approximately 28 million bottles every day. For more information, visit www.yakultusa.com.

	100-CALORIE CUP GREEK YOGURTS (posted June 29, 2012) Yoplait Greek 100 will be available in stores across the U.S. by August. The company says the product delivers all of the benefits of Greek yogurt--thick and creamy texture and two times the protein of regular yogurt--in 100 calories. The product’s package will carry an endorsement from Weight Watchers with a PointsPlus value of two per serving. Yoplait Greek 100 adds to General Mills’ expanding line of Greek yogurt products, including Yoplait Greek Parfaits with Nature Valley Granola and Yoplait Greek yogurt multi-packs in Blueberry, Cherry Pomegranate and Coconut flavors, introduced earlier this calendar year. New Yoplait Greek 100 comes in six flavors: Black Cherry, Kiwi Lime, Mixed Berry, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla.

	LIGHT & FIT GREEK YOGURT (posted June 29, 2012) Dannon Light & Fit Greek comes in four-packs of 5.3-ounce cups, a deviation from the 4-ounce cup standard in most multi-packs. This line of nonfat yogurt is able to keep calories low (at 80 per serving) through the use of a sweetener blend comprised of fructose, sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Product labels tout the fact that a serving contains 45% fewer calories and two-times the protein of regular low-fat yogurt. (Each 5.3-ounce cup contains 12 grams of protein.) Varieties are: Blueberry, Cherry, Strawberry and Vanilla.

	FROZEN YOGURT FOR THE REFRIGERATOR (posted June 26, 2012) Schwan’s Home Service introduces a new concept to the frozen, make that, refrigerated yogurt category. That’s right. Thaw and Serve Creamy Yogurt is refrigerated yogurt that is distributed frozen but intended for consumption after thawing. The new, slow-blended, low-fat yogurts come in two flavors: strawberry and vanilla. Made from real, low-fat milk, the product is flash frozen to lock in the creamy goodness consumers crave and the essential nutrients they expect from yogurt, according to the company. Thaw and Serve Creamy Yogurt is delivered frozen through home delivery and designed to be stored in the freezer or refrigerator for convenience. When frozen, just place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw or for two hours at room temperature before enjoying. Sold in four-packs of 6-ounce cups, the yogurt is 99% fat free, with each serving being an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, and an excellent source of protein (6 grams per serving). The formula is also void of artificial flavors or colors. The product has a 49-day shelf life in the refrigerator. For more information, visit www.schwans.com.

	IMPORTED GREEK YOGURT (posted June 5, 2012) Greek yogurt has become a staple on cooler shelves across America, but now for the first time, consumers can have authentic Greek yogurt, that is actually from Greece. Olympus Dairy International, the largest organic dairy manufacturer in Greece, is importing its authentic strained Greek yogurt to the United States. The line includes a plain variety in three different fat levels: 0%, 2% and 10%. The 1% fat variety comes in six flavors: Blueberry, Cherry, Lemon, Peach, Strawberry and Vanilla. There’s also a 0% fat variety in a dual compartment cup, with Greek honey as the side. Olympus Dairy products are available in 25 international markets and will be nationwide in the States by the end of the year. For more information, visit www.olympusdairyusa.com.

	SUPERFRUITS MEET GREEK YOGURT IN THE HOME BLENDER (posted May 30, 2012) Inventure Foods Inc., expands the Jamba brand of “at home” smoothies with a pair of superfruit varieties featuring nonfat Greek yogurt. Pomegranate Pick-Me-Up and Acai Super-Antioxidant represent the third expansion of the popular grocery and club store retail line of frozen smoothie kits in the past six months. Inventure first introduced the original line up of Strawberries Wild, Razzmatazz and Mango-a-Go-Go in May of 2010. It added a fourth flavor--Caribbean Passion-- in September 2011, and Orange Dream Machine hit retail freezers in April 2012. Pomegranate Pick-Me-Up contains pomegranate, blueberries, strawberries and nonfat Greek yogurt. Acai Super-Antioxidant features acai, blueberries, raspberries and nonfat Greek yogurt. Both varieties come frozen in 8-ounce bags and, when added to juice in a blender, yield two 8-ounce smoothies. Each smoothie serving provides a full serving of fruit, 100% Daily Value of vitamin C and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

	YOGURT WITH CHO COLATE CHIP COOKIES (posted May 15, 2012) YoCrunch, the original yogurt packaged with fun toppings, introduces a dual-compartment low-fat vanilla yogurt with Chips Ahoy! cookie pieces. The entire 6-ounce cup contains 190 calories, with 5 grams of protein, and provides 20% of the Daily Value for both calcium and vitamin D (based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet). Suggested retail price for YoCrunch Yogurt with Chips Ahoy! cookie pieces is 79 to 89 cents. This summer, the company will introduce a multipack of four, 4-ounce cups with a suggested retail price of $2.99. Chips Ahoy!, a brand of Kraft Foods Inc., is the second Kraft-owned cookie brand to be used as a mix-in with YoCrunch yogurt. Oreo was the first. Interestingly, YoCrunch yogurts were previously cobranded with the Breyers brand, which at one point in time was owned by Kraft when the company was a player in the refrigerated yogurt business. The Breyers brand is no longer found on refrigerated yogurt. For more information, visit www.yocrunch.com.

	POSITIONING DAIRY FOR DAY PARTS (posted May 11, 2012) Read about it on my May 11, 2012 BLOG.

	SHOT-STYLE PROBIOTIC IN INNOVATIVE PACKAGE (posted April 4, 2012) Finland’s Valio is repackaging its shot-style Gefilus LGG Power Drink into the brand new Tetra Pak Lokka 100-ml carton. The drink comes in a 100% juice (apple, banana, mango, orange and passion fruit blend) variety and a drinkable strawberry- and blueberry-flavored yogurt version. The tagline for the probiotic beverage reads: Helps to keep you healthy. This is thanks to the inclusion of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53 103). The Lokka package features an innovative option: a convenient tear-off opening to meet the demand for on-the-go consumption. This is just one of many new package designs that Tetra Pak showcased at Anuga FoodTec.

	DAIRY PRODUCTS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MATERNAL NUTRITION (posted May 10, 2012) Read about Lifeway Foods' partnership with Every Mother Counts on my April 20, 2012 BLOG.

	LACTOSE-FREE YOGURT (posted April 19, 2012) Schreiber Foods Inc., introduces Lactaid brand Lactose Free Nonfat Yogurt in four flavors: blueberry, peach, strawberry and vanilla. The yogurts are made with nonfat milk and supplemented with whey protein concentrate, with each 6-ounce cup containing 140 calories and 7-grams of quality protein. Though yogurt cultures do a good job of breaking down lactose, the addition of the enzyme lactase ensures that the product is completely free of milk’s inherent sugar. The company licenses the Lactaid brand from McNeil Nutritionals LLC, manufacturers of the namesake lactase enzyme.

	GREEK YOGURT FOR KIDS (posted March 24, 2011) Stonyfield Farm is rolling out Greek yogurt designed for kids’ palates and appetites. This organic product is higher in protein than the company’s traditional kids’ yogurts and comes in two kid-friendly flavors: Raspberry and Strawberry. Such high-quality protein provides energy, stamina and a feeling of fullness. It can help children stay focused in school. The product is rolling out nationwide in four-packs of 4-ounce cups.

Yogurt Products andFermented Drinks 2012 - 2017

Yogurt Products
and
Fermented Drinks 2012 - 2017