Underlining the enthusiasm from speakers and delegates, there was a genuine mood of optimism at the event supported by evidence of heaps of genuine innovation in the presentations and, of course, in the awards.
Emmi’s Swiss launch of its ‘good day’ wellness brand – the winner of the ‘Best new brand’ category in the awards – was one particular highlight, as was the story of Ultima Foods’ launch of its all-Canadian yogurt brand ïogo. You can read about these and more in the Awards Showcase magazine.
I was fascinated by the story of A2 milk and the fact that there are two sorts of cow: those that produce A1 milk and those that produce A2. I understood the concept better when I had a chance to talk to A2 Corporation CEO Geoff Babidge about the successful commercialisation of A2 milk.
We also grabbed the opportunity to interview Natasha Bowes from ‘Best dairy drink’ winner Bio-tiful Dairy Drinks and Sarah Goldthwait from ‘Best yogurt’ category winner Powerful Yogurt.
I’m pleased to report that dairy innovation is alive and well, and the people behind it are fascinating and fun!
Arriving back at the office and wondering what we’d missed while we were away, I picked up the recent launch of Styrk fat-free milk, by Tine in Norway. Beyond the obvious skimmed and semi-skimmed variants, there seems to be a great deal of new innovation around the liquid milk category. Tine even describes Styrk as a ‘new type of milk’, and rather than it just being the outcome of some laboratory development, its creation is firmly rooted in good customer research.
Fat-free, but featuring extra vitamin D, plus 50% more protein and 50% more calcium than other milk, Styrk means ‘strength’ and is positioned as the smart choice for ‘consumers who want fat-free dairy, but who also appreciate the great taste and nutrition of whole milk’.
Innovation in yogurt, cheese or ice cream seems relatively straightforward when faced with choices around flavour and functionality, while liquid milk seems more difficult to reinvent. Or so I thought. In fact, the dairy industry from Australia to Switzerland just keeps the innovation coming, to keep milk fresh in every way!
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