Fresh Milk & Ice Cream

All ice cream is pretty good.

Most ice cream is great.

I think we can all agree the more natural ingredients there are in ice cream, the better the ice cream. However, let’s be realistic. Big companies that produce mass amounts of ice cream have to watch the bottom line. Sometimes that means the natural stuff gets replaced by a cheaper alternative.

Now ice cream makers are turning to fresh milk. The reason? Cost.

The price of skimmed milk powder is on the rise and the price spike is hitting ice cream makers in the wallet. Skimmed milk powder is a key ingredient for many ice cream manufacturers. Because of the milk powder price hike, many ice cream companies are increasing the procurement of fresh milk. The idea is to reduce cost without sacrificing taste.

Some ice cream companies have increased their fresh milk procurement by about 20 percent. One major ice cream manufacturer, Baskin-Robbins, says it may have to take steps and consider other options if skimmed milk powder prices continue to rise. Baskin-Robbins says, for now, it is still using skimmed milk powder in its ice cream.

It seems the increase is also hurting company margins. This means the price hike pain may eventually by passed down to consumers in the form of cost increases.

One ice cream maker explains that skimmed milk powder is an important part of making ice cream, saying that skimmed milk powder helps achieve the right flavor and texture.

Milk accounts for about 20 percent of the input cost for ice cream.

All-natural ice cream makers are less likely to be impacted by the rising cost of skimmed milk powder. Dairies that make ice cream are very likely already using fresh milk in their products.

Using the best ingredients available is a surefire way to create ice cream that is wholesome and delicious.