US dairy firm enters RP mart

A major American dairy company, Hester Foods, Inc., has given the Philippines a much-needed vote of confidence by choosing the local market for the Asian launch of its products, citing among other the stabilizing peso and the optimistic economic climate as reasons for its decision to come in.

"We are confident that the time is right for American products in the Philippines," said Hester Foods CEO and president Shawn Hester. "The Philippines is a logical launch pad for American companies interested in bringing the best of American dairy products to Asia."

The California-based company has brought in its new line of milk products under the brand Hester FARM, which is currently arriving on grocery shelves throughout the country.

Company officials believe HesterFARM milk will gnerate excitement in the local market because they are the first of an entirely new product category of low-lactose, calcium-fortified and vitamin-fortified milk drinks being introduced to Philippine consumers.

Henry Fortuna, country manager for Hester Foods, said HesterFARM is a much-needed alternative milk in the country because ninety percent of Filipinos suffer from varying degrees of lactose intolerance (documented in a 27-year-long study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland).

Symptoms of lactose intolerance range from mild to miserable, and occur after consuming dairy product because of a genetically inherited inability to break down the lactose in milk. Thus, HesterFARM is touted as "tummy friendly" because it offers the benefits of traditional milk without the frequently miserable intestinal side effects of traditional milk.

"HesterFARM milk is not only for children. Mom, dad and the grandparents can drink it too," Hester said. "We designed these products specifically to meet the needs of Filipinos."

Distributed locally by Quantum Foods, Inc., HesterFARM milk are premium products but are priced affordably at popular price levels.