Pacific Foods expanded its non-dairy beverages portfolio with the release of its Organic Coconut line.

Lifeway Foods Inc., Morton Grove, Ill., announced results for the second quarter, which ended June 30. Total consolidated net sales increased 28 percent to $29.6 million during the three-month period from $23.1 million during the same three-month period in 2013. This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the company’s flagship Kefir line as well as its ProBugs Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir lines.

Although cow’s milk has long been associated with good health, it has experienced gradual sales declines in the past two years as prices fluctuated and consumers avoided fat, calories and added sugars, according to Chicago-based Mintel’s April 2014 report “Milk, Creamers and Non-Dairy Milk – US.”

According to Chicago-based Mintel’s April 2013 report “Dairy and Non-dairy Milk – US,” the “other milk” segment, which includes ready-to-drink milk or milk substitutes, refrigerated kefir/milk substitutes/soy milk, and refrigerated milkshakes/non-dairy drinks, makes up 7.3 percent of the total U.S. dairy and non-dairy milk market. This represents a more than 30 percent increase in market share since 2010, it reports. Mintel also predicts that this category will continue to see growth through 2017 to reach nearly $2.9 billion in sales.

 Dairy alternative drinks are becoming so mainstream that they might soon deserve their own name, says David Sprinkle, research director and publisher of Packaged Facts, Rockville, Md.  

Pacific Foods of Oregon expanded its non-dairy beverage line to include its Pacific Organic 7 Grain Non-Dairy Beverage.

Sunrich Naturals, a brand of SunOpta Inc., introduced Sōl, a dairy alternative beverage made from roasted sunflower kernels. The dairy-free, gluten-free, all-natural beverage contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that promote heart and brain health, strengthen bones and teeth, and helps maintain youthful-looking skin, in addition to folic acid to support prenatal health, the company says.