Trends in Animal-Free Dairy Products

Say Cheese! 

Saputo Dairy USA, Lincolnshire, Ill., says its new Vitalite, plant-based, vegan-certified, dairy-free cheeses deliver “great taste, texture, visual appeal and melting performance.”

"As demand for vegan cheese continues to grow, many consumers have been vocal about how difficult it has been to find a plant-based cheese that lives up to their expectations," said David Cherrie, Saputo Dairy USA vice president, marketing and innovation. "As a dairy company, we are experts at making cheese people love and crave. Where other plant-based cheeses fall short, we saw an opportunity to use our expertise in the cheese category to create a delicious plant-based alternative."

Vitalite is available in six varieties including Mozzarella Style Slices, Mozzarella Style Shreds, Cheddar Style Slices, Cheddar Style Shreds, Grated Parmesan Style and a Creamy Original Spread. Vitalite products are made without genetically modified ingredients and are vegan- and kosher-certified, gluten-free and except for the Creamy Original Spread, soy-free

Wicked Good

Already known for its diverse line of plant-based foods, Wicked Foods Inc., Edina, Minn., extended its Wicked Kitchen brand to plant-based ice creams and novelties.

Varieties include pint-size ice creams in four flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough. Three new novelties include Chocolate & Almond Sticks, Berry White Sticks and Chocolate & Red Berry Cones.

Wicked Kitchen's pints and hand-held stick and cone novelties are now available at 2,200 Kroger stores and its other store banners including City Market, Dillons, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Mariano's, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick'n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler and Smith's Food and Drug.

Cool Collaboration

Brave Robot, the animal-free dairy ice cream brand launched by The Urgent Company in July 2020, and cult novelty ice cream brand Coolhaus teamed up to introduce Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches.

 Officials said the launch marks the first time Coolhaus (purchased by The Urgent Company in January 2022) is leveraging animal-free milk protein made by Perfect Day in their products. In their first collaboration, Brave Robot and Coolhaus introduced ice cream sandwiches in two flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Mint Chocolate Chip.

Launching at Kroger stores nationwide, Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are sold at $7.99 per pack of three sandwiches. Each sandwich is lactose-free and hormone-free, coming in at 290 calories per sandwich. Brave Robot uses non-animal whey protein made by Perfect Day that is bioidentical to whey from cow's milk, except it is made through precision fermentation

"The new Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are everything you want an ice cream sandwich to be: rich, creamy ice cream layered between freshly baked, decadent cookies," said Paul Kollesoff, CEO & Co-Founder of The Urgent Company. "When we brought these companies together, we envisioned our missions coming together, too. This collaboration extends our impact by giving devoted Coolhaus fans a taste of a more sustainable future with delicious animal-free dairy."

Mediterranean Tastes

Canada’s Daiya Foods Inc., Burnaby, B.C., said it expanded its namesake plant-based cheese with two new options: a Grilling Cheeze Block, and a Feta Style Block.

"Our new artisan-inspired cheeze blocks, crafted with wholesome plant-based ingredients for an authentic Mediterranean taste, will inspire new tasty and robust creations and ensure those with dietary restrictions don't have to miss out,” said Dan Hua, Daiya vice president of marketing.

Officials say the Daiya Grilling Cheeze Block is made with certified gluten-free oats and chickpeas and inspired by traditional Halloumi cheese from Cyprus. It’s meant to be grilled and pan-fried (or even deep-fried or air-fried!), and maintain its shape without melting. Inspired by traditional Feta cheese from Greece, the Feta Style Block delivers a “satisfying crumbling experience” with a salty, tangy and bright with a semi-smooth bite, the company says. Daiya Feta Style Blocks are made with certified gluten-free oats and a touch of olive oil.

New Milks

In July, Strive Nutrition Corp., Wichita, Kan., introduced several new animal-free dairy drinks, each featuring Perfect Day’s animal free whey protein.  

Lead products include Strive FREEMILK Whole and Chocolate milks. Strive FREEMILK will offer 25% more protein, 75% less sugar, and less saturated fat than regular whole cow's milk, officials said. FREEMILK Chocolate also delivers less sugar and more protein than regular chocolate dairy milk. Strive also will offer Strive Oat and Strive Almond, both enriched with 10g of Perfect Day animal-free whey protein per serving.

Officials said Strive will introduce protein shakes and sports hydration protein beverages later this year. Strive products were available online in July at www.striveforbetter.com, as well as select retail locations to be announced.