JUNE 2025 vol. 126 no. 6
IN THIS ISSUE
Sports Nutrition
There has perhaps been only one change to the recent sports nutrition market, but it is significant: the industry is no longer just about elite athletes who weightlift or seek to train for a sports event like a marathon or triathlon.
RTD Beverages
As we mentioned in our April “Outlook Report” article, the global ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage market is expected to surpass $800 billion this year, reaching $1.2 trillion in 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. This month, we will explore the latest trends, areas for growth, and look at flavor trends.
Cultured Dairy
This month, let’s place the spotlight on something not addressed in this year’s Market Trends report: yogurt, a huge poster child for consumers seeking health and wellness benefits.
MILK
Two-thirds of U.S. shoppers said they have consumed milk in the past month. Additionally, when looking for a good source of protein, one-third of U.S. shoppers said they look for packaged foods that contain dairy, according to a 2025 report from St. Louis-based Nextin Research by MarketPlace.
ICe cream
Experts note that from simple ingredients, ice cream producers are creating a vast array of flavors, textures and formats. They're also creating indulgent flavors with a little less fat and a little less added sugar to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
CHEESE
From mozzarella used as a pizza topping to ricotta cheese in a lasagna to melty cheddar on top of a chargrilled burger, the superlatives around cheese don’t quit. Cheese blends, including mixed milk and Hispanic cheeses, are a hot trend.
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
Eat. Drink. Dairy.
Stonyfield Organic partners with Ms. Rachel; Lemon Chill relaunches its gluten-free frozen treats; Athenos reimagines Feta with a zesty kick of chile lime seasoning.
"Let’s Talk Dairy" Podcast
Mark Braun, president and CEO, and Arturo Nava, senior marketing director at Hispanic Cheese Makers, known for its Nuestro Queso brand, joins us for Episode 53 of the "Let’s Talk Dairy" podcast to discuss Hispanic trends.
OPERATIONS
Distribution
Having a proper distribution system is essential to maintaining an efficient and effective dairy operation. The dairy supply chain continues to face ongoing pressures including labor and transportation shortages, high fuel costs, evolving regulatory and food safety concerns and more.
Dairy Foods Extra
The U.S. population is more diverse than ever, and that diversity presents opportunities to support nutritional health and well-being, states Amy DeLisio, CEO, Dairy Council of California.
Global Insights
No one can know exactly what is going to happen or how tariffs will play out. Nate Donnay believes the current risks around the trade war break down into four bearish items and three bullish items, at least for short- and medium-term impacts.
Washington Watch
Congress is considering legislation that would once again allow schools to serve whole milk to their students. Earlier this year, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was reintroduced with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. These bills would provide children, parents and schools with the option to serve any variety of fluid milk, including whole milk, which they believe will best meet their students’ nutritional needs, says IDFA’s J. David Carlin.
INGREDIENTS/R&D
Dairy Foods Extra: Breakthrough Award for Ingredient Innovation
Dairy Foods and the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) honored Littlefield, Texas-based Select Custom Solutions Southwest with the 2025 Breakthrough Award for Ingredient Innovation for its ImmuniGen supplement.
Dairy Foods Extra: IFT Preview
The Institute of Food Technologists IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo will return July 13 to 16 at McCormick Place in Chicago and will feature several educational sessions focused on health and wellness, one of the hottest topics today.
Dairy Detective
Membrane filtration technology has revolutionized the food and dairy industry by providing practical, sustainable, and optimal cost solutions, enabling the production of minimally processed dairy foods, new dairy ingredients, and recovering bioactive components, according to Venkateswarlu (Venkat) Sunkesula, Ph.D., and Gunvantsinh Rathod, Ph.D.
Dairy & Nutrition
The concept of “Food as Medicine” has gained increased attention in recent years, highlighting the connection between nutritious foods and health. This food-first approach to wellness emphasizes the growing interest in achieving health benefits top of mind for consumers today, states Dr. Katie Brown.
Tharp & Young
Ice cream and related products are both special and among Mother Nature’s most complex food products, explain Bill Sipple and Steve Young, Ph.D.
Ingredient Showcase
Dairy Foods highlights the latest innovations in sweeteners.
