Hormel Foods Corporation, Austin, Minn., completed its purchase of CytoSport Holdings, Inc., the Benecia, Calif., maker of Muscle Milk® products.

With the popularity of diets like Paleo, Primal and Atkins, protein has been the darling of lean diets for more than two decades now, and ties in more broadly to the consumer quest for health and wellness food and beverages to address specific health concerns. This presents a unique opportunity for food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants."

For more than 45 years, families have turned to Jimmy Dean for breakfast sausage and breakfast entrée options.

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) said its board of directors appointed Julia Kadison as chief executive officer. Kadison previously held the position of interim CEO and vice president of marketing at MilkPEP, Washington, D.C.

Vitalicious Inc., New York, N.Y., says its new VitaEgg Flatbread Sandwich contains all the powerhouse nutrients of whole egg—without the cholesterol.

Protein bar maker Quest Nutrition, Los Angeles says it has developed the first high-protein snack potato chip.

The message may have gotten through to consumers about the importance of breakfast to overall health

The Canadian Meat Council is reaching out to consumers with new messaging about the benefits of prepared meat proteins, in addition to new facts to dispel misperceptions about nitrites.

Campbell Soup Company, Camden, N.J., announced plans to launch more than 200 new products in fiscal 2015 to meet consumers’ changing tastes, preferences and needs.

The protein trend is driven by increasing health concerns – primarily weight management – plus the move of sports and performance products into the mainstream and targeted at the more generally active, rather than just athletes and sportsmen.