Vanilla Remains Top Ice Cream Flavor with Americans

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Vanilla wins the popular vote among Americans as the favorite ice cream flavor for a second year in a row, and premium ice cream is a top seller while frozen yogurt posts a steady increase in demand. These are a few of the findings from the second annual survey of International Ice Cream Association (IICA) member companies, which make and distribute an estimated 85 percent of the ice cream and frozen dessert products consumed in the United States.

According to the companies participating in the survey, the top three flavors are vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan, with coffee, Neapolitan and Rocky Road tied for fourth place.  

"From the rich, creaminess of a scoop of vanilla-bean premium ice cream to the convenience of a perfectly portion-controlled ice cream confection, our member companies are making a wide-range of flavors and product types that allow consumers to choose the treat that appeals to them," said Peggy Armstrong, vice president of communications for the International Dairy Foods Association.  "Ice cream is a fun and nutritious food that fits into almost every lifestyle."

Premium ice cream, which has a lower amount of aeration and a higher fat content than regular ice cream, is the most popular variety with consumers, according to the survey. Nearly 70 percent cited premium ice cream as the most popular product, followed by regular ice cream, which contains at least 10 percent milkfat, and novelties. Novelties are defined as separately packaged single servings of a frozen dessert, such as ice cream sandwiches and fudge sticks.

In addition, approximately 50 percent said they are seeing increased demand for frozen yogurt, and nearly 15 percent reported an increased demand for no-sugar-added ice cream.

In addition to flavors, the survey also asked about popular additions to ice cream, such as fruits, nuts, candies and other ingredients.  The majority of companies said that pecans are the most popular nut, followed by almonds and peanuts. Eighty-six percent of companies said that strawberry was the most popular fruit topping, with cherry coming in second.

Among companies offering novelties, the ice cream sandwich and ice-cream-on-a-stick tied as the most popular. Bars, push-ups, four-ounce tubes and mini-cups are also popular products, according to the survey. For companies with dipping locations, it doesn't matter how they serve it; cups, sugar cones and waffles cones are all popular. Hot fudge, sprinkles and nuts proved to be the most popular toppings. 

About National Ice Cream Month

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The International Ice Cream Association encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate each July as National Ice Cream Month.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), headquartered in Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $125-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.

SOURCE International Dairy Foods Association