While many categories would have welcomed 6% growth last year, that represented a slowdown for functional foods, which grew by 8% in 2007.   U.S. sales of functional foods and beverages -- defined as those that offer a health advantage beyond basic nutrition and employ this as a primary point of market positioning -- rose from $26.9 billion in 2006 to $29 billion in '07 to $30.7 billion last year, according to a new study from Packaged Facts (PF).

Amidst debate over allowing the sale of raw milk in a growing number of US states, some processors remain unconvinced that there are any potential benefits for either consumers or manufacturers in turning away from pasteurized dairy.

The American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) commends Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for announcing the activation of the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for the period ending June 30, 2009. 

Volac has expanded its dairy ingredients plant in Wales to offer lactose for the first time, and increase its overall production output by 50 percent.

A study is underway is in the US to offer what researchers claim will be the most comprehensive insight yet into the impacts of organic farming on the health of livestock in attempts to ensure better practices for suppliers.