Abstract: Dairy-derived food products, particularly beverages, such as milk/juice blends, yogurt-based drinks, fermented milk beverages, and soft drinks, are disclosed. These compositions contain a stabilizing mixture comprising metal (in the form of ions, salts or oxides) such as zinc or magnesium, either alone or together with an adjunct component such as ascorbic acid. These beverage products do not form off-flavors when they are exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light. This provides for more efficient and inexpensive manufacture of the products and eliminates the need for expensive opaque packing materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of starch as a stabilizer in acidified milk beverages, the stabilizer syrups and beverages comprising the starch and the process for preparing them.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a hydrocolloid composition, particularly a starch composition, which is useful as a viscosifier and/or a stabilizer in food products, particularly cultured dairy products, to products containing such hydrocolloid composition, and to the method of preparing such products. The present invention is also directed to the replacement of at least a portion of the gelatin, gum, and/or non-fat milk solids present in food products with such composition without losing the organoleptic and structural properties of the product.