Dairy Processing - July/August 2022 - 12

Calif. He said there is increasing research
linking cultured food - including his company's
cottage cheeses - to greater microbiome
diversity, which can boost gut, brain and heart
health while also reducing inflammation and
supporting the immune system.
" Consumers are
demanding
more inclusive
offerings to
not only cater
to all diets and
restrictions,
but also
to offer a
flexitarian
approach. "
Jean Michel dos Remedios,
Bel Brands USA
Levin said all its products are a mix of
old-world traditions and recipes coupled with
California terroir. For future innovation efforts,
she said the company loves to make a twist on
a classic - which might mean a new variety or a
re-vamp of a traditional recipe.
In the last year Bellwether Farms, Petaluma,
Calif., has introduced fresh sheep cheese in
five varieties - original, strawberry preserves,
orange marmalade, Moroccan Spice and
Sonoma herbs. The company also reformulated
its A2 Organic Whole Milk Yogurt for a product
line made with milk from grass-fed Jersey cows
containing the easy-to-digest A2 protein.
" We first consider if the proposed new
products make sense for us to make, whether
they are a good fit for our brand and if they
are a logical extension for one of our product
lines, " owner Liam Callahan said of Bellwether
Farms' approach to innovation. " We then look
at what additional equipment would be required
to produce it and consider if we feel the product
has a long future or if it is a short-lived trend. "
MAINTAINING A HALO OF HEALTH
Overall, food trends around simple ingredients
and microbiome gut health have helped fuel
growth in innovation and will continue to do
so, according to Jesse Merrill, co-founder and
chief executive officer of Good Culture, Irvine,
12 JUL-AUG 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Good Culture launched a lactose-free line
of cottage cheeses and sour creams last August
to help the estimated 65% of the population
who have trouble digesting lactose, and Merrill
said all Good Culture innovation needs to be
anchored in health, nutrition, cleanliness and
taste to appeal to the community.
" Clean label products add complexity and
cost, so we worked hard to develop proprietary
formulations that deliver thicker and creamier
products without the use of thickeners, gums
or chemical preservatives, " Merrill said. " Our
commitment to our consumers is real, simple
ingredients, and more and more consumers are
demanding that. "
In another effort to target the specific
nutritional needs of consumers, Horizon
Organic, Broomfield, Colo., recently introduced
its Growing Years line of milk and yogurt
products that was developed with pediatricians
for children transitioning from breastmilk or
formula to dairy milk. All the products are made
with certified organic milk from pasture-raised
cows, and every serving contains 50mg of DHA
Omega-3 along with choline and prebiotics.
The company also launched its organic dry
whole milk, which is a powdered milk product
designed to have a longer shelf life, toward the
beginning of the pandemic.
Stonyfield Organic, Londonderry, NH, has
introduced Organic YoBaby as a product that
promotes self-feeding and is an easy on-the-go
option. The company's other newer products
include Organic Kid Toppers and Organic High
Protein Parfaits as other on-the-go options.
While introducing new products has come
with challenges in recent years, companies are
carving out a niche for nutritional products
that meet specific needs, offer a plant-based
alternative, or even span categories. According
to the Mintel report, consumers are increasingly
purchasing both dairy and dairy-alternative
products and desire unique flavor experiences
with functional benefits.
Bel Brands
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - July/August 2022

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