| It is easy to see that the dairy industry | | | | fortification of dairy products with omega 3 fatty |
| represents a large segment of the American food | | | | acids is predicted to be a hot-seller. |
| industry. Consumers purchase dairy products | | | | Oligosaccharides are soluble and semi-soluble fiber |
| because they contain essential nutrients such as | | | | often used as prebiotics, an important component |
| calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin D and | | | | of digestive healthcare. Synbiotics, the combination |
| protein. Be it milk, cheese, yogurt or ice cream, | | | | of probiotics with prebiotics, help to produce short |
| almost every American consumes dairy products | | | | chain fatty acids (SCFA) and certain B vitamins. |
| on some sort of regular basis. | | | | The SCFA protect colon tissue and help to |
| In their May 2008 report "Functional Foods" | | | | regulate healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. |
| Market Research and Consumer Intelligence | | | | They also support normal blood sugar levels and |
| Report, the Mintel International Group, Ltd., states | | | | certain immune functions. Fructooligosaccharides |
| that consumer interest in functional or fortified | | | | (FOS) derived from fruits and vegetables help |
| foods has gone up from 2002 to 2007 by 63 | | | | promote the absorption of calcium. |
| percent with dairy foods constituting 75 percent | | | | Whey protein derived from milk enhances the |
| of the total functional foods sales. Dairy food | | | | protein value of a dairy product. Studies show |
| manufacturers seeking to position their dairy | | | | whey protein helps to improve the solubility of |
| products in the market with a higher nutritive | | | | minerals and their absorption in the digestive tract. |
| value and greater consumer appeal should | | | | It also helps to promote immune functions. |
| consider incorporating functional ingredients into | | | | Protein is a nutrient that dominates the athletic |
| their product or product line. | | | | and bodybuilding industries. For a number of years, |
| Dairy products that are fortified with functional | | | | athletes and health enthusiasts have been |
| ingredients such as probiotics, omega 3 fatty | | | | adopting a protein-rich diet to build more muscle |
| acids, additional calcium and Vitamin D are | | | | mass and promote weight loss. Research shows |
| receiving more consumer attention these days. | | | | that protein is an appetite suppressant, and based |
| Such products not only augment nutrition but, | | | | on a survey conducted by the NPD Group, Inc., a |
| depending on the functional ingredient added, also | | | | leading global provider of consumer and retail |
| play a role in weight management, digestive | | | | market research information, people want more |
| health, immunity and healthy bone development. | | | | protein in their diet. High-protein diets help |
| Popular functional ingredients include: | | | | promote satiety and loss of fat. |
| "Probiotics" means "for life". The World Health | | | | The International Food Information Council's (IFIC) |
| Organization defines probiotics as "live | | | | 2009 Food and Health Survey reported that |
| microorganisms, which when administered in | | | | consumers are driven to make healthy food |
| adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the | | | | choices based on taste, price, and nutritive value. |
| host". Research shows probiotics supports | | | | Trends also indicate that consumers are looking |
| digestive health, but may have wider benefits | | | | for products that make condition-specific health |
| according to the specific strain of probiotics used. | | | | claims. Baby boomers and health enthusiasts are |
| Yogurt has been a popular product for fortification | | | | the biggest takers. Here's an interesting bit of |
| with probiotics. | | | | news: Yogurt and yogurt drink brands that |
| From 2006 to 2007, probiotics claims on food and | | | | targeted specific health conditions grew by 169 |
| beverage products increased by more than 140 | | | | percent from 2005 to 2008. This was according |
| percent, according to AC Nielsen (a global | | | | to a 2008 Mintel report entitled "Yogurt and |
| marketing research firm) with yogurt being the | | | | Yogurt Drinks-US," November 2008. |
| most popular product for delivery. | | | | Transitioning a dairy product from a healthy food |
| Omega 3 fatty acids. Dietary increase of Omega | | | | to an even healthier functional food, may prove |
| 3 fatty acids, particularly, docosahexaenoic acid | | | | to be the easiest way to increase your |
| (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is strongly | | | | company's bottom line profits and offer |
| supported by research. Omega 3 fatty acids are | | | | consumers more health value for their money. |
| believed to provide numerous health benefits | | | | Contact a quality private label supplement |
| including the support of heart health, digestive | | | | manufacturer about formulating your dairy |
| health, brain health and joint health. These "good" | | | | products with functional ingredients. Simply choose |
| fats are popularly added to milk, yogurt, and | | | | from a wide variety of private label stock to get |
| cheeses. Consumer awareness of the health | | | | your production line going on the fast-track to |
| benefits of EPA and DHA is wide and the | | | | success! |