Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Inc. have both added dairy products to their consumer offerings recently, no doubt hoping to tap into the market of consumers who are aiming to eat healthier. Coke's Core Power Coca-Cola is now distributing a dairy-based "sports recovery" beverage called Core Power. The "natural high-protein milkshake" by Fair Oaks Farms Brands is endorsed by triathletes and is part of an exploding category of beverages that are said to boost performance during workouts and muscle recovery afterward.

Core Power is part of a category "that is still in the early stage of its growth potential," Deryck van Rensburg, president of Coca-Cola North America, said in a statement.

He viewed the tie-up as another example of how the Coca-Cola system can participate in the development of "the next generation of beverage brands."

Core Power is a shake-type dairy drink that, like some other players in this emerging category, removes the lactose from the milk. It's built around 26g per 11.5 oz. of concentrated whey and casein proteins, much like Muscle Milk and other recovery beverages.

Core Power will be stocked in about 10,000 grocery, convenience and specialty stores across the U.S.

Pepsi joins the yogurt market
Pepsi is venturing into the increasingly active yogurt market, starting with products in 17 markets in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic before expanding outward.

The company is partnering with the Theo Muller Group, the largest private dairy business in Germany. Their joint effort, Muller Quaker Dairy, will sell options such as Choco Balls, Honeyed Apricot and Splendid Strawberry as well as Greek varieties.

The yogurts will be produced in Europe until PepsiCo finishes building a factory in Batavia, New York, which is expected to open next year. PD

—Compiled from Brandchannel.com and Los Angeles Times articles