While health benefits are increasingly to the fore, taste is still paramount. Fortunately, US dairy can help deliver on both, helping fuel growth and success for businesses in the food and beverages (F&B) sector with a wide variety of ingredients ideal for developing great-tasting products that are healthy and sustainable.

Protein derived from dairy products is considered high quality, efficiently providing essential amino acids needed for critical body functions and helping support a range of wellness goals.

US dairy's nutritional advantage, together with a mild flavour and broad functionality, makes for endless possibilities to innovate protein-containing products that are perfectly suited to local tastes.

Products tailored for the domestic market can seamlessly combine dairy protein with appealing flavours and formats, and create opportunities to incorporate other ingredients that amplify the product’s health benefits and nutritional qualities.

There is potential for a wide variety of products to appeal to consumers, and the US dairy industry is committed to supporting the Vietnamese businesses looking to develop them.

With such possibilities for the Vietnamese market, witnessing US dairy ingredients first-hand is an invaluable experience for anyone eyeing exciting product ideas or thinking about new ways to leverage the country's nutrition trend.

It all starts with building a fundamental understanding, which the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) has been supporting through engagement with university food science students, including those at Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry (HUFI).

Developing knowledge of dairy ingredients through training sessions for the next generation of food industry professionals introduces an avenue for future exploration and helps generate excitement about the possibilities of application.

HUFI students are taking this to the next level by working closely with technical experts to create product prototypes with US dairy protein sources. These students have sparked ideas for various healthy snacks and treats that can deliver high-quality protein and reduce sodium.

As new ideas emerge on how to meet the increasing desire for health and wellness in ways that align with the local palette, food producers can be confident in the sustainable supply of dairy ingredients from the US that will meet future demand.

For decades, US farms have becoming increasingly more efficient. In fact, the US has the world’s highest milk production rate per cow, contributing to the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk produced.

Building on its legacy of sustainability progress, the US dairy community is leading a global commitment to the environment and sustainable food systems with innovative practices and initiatives. US dairy processors are also working towards sustainability goals, using planet-friendly practices while producing dairy ingredients to help drive innovation.

USDEC is a non-profit, independent membership organisation that represents the global interests of US dairy farmers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, and export traders.

In the international markets, USDEC conducts various marketing programmes aiming to increase buyers, end-users, and consumers’ awareness about US dairy products and provides global customers access to unparalleled resources and services.