Olive Oil Cheese

This March saw GOOD PLANeT Foods, Bellevue, Wash., extend its GOOD PLANeT Olive Oil Cheese with new cheese slices in two flavors: Sharp Cheddar and Smoked Gouda. They rolled out in April nationwide at Whole Foods Market and other locations.

GOOD PLANeT Foods notes most vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil, and therefore contain higher amounts of saturated fat. In contrast, its Olive Oil cheese slices are made with non-GMO, vegan ingredients and contain 0g of saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, and less than half the calories compared to dairy cheese, the company says.

Growing Company, Product Line

In early March, MALK Organics, Austin, Texas, said it closed an internal investment round. In addition, officials announced a distribution expansion and three new offerings: Cashew MALK, Shelf Stable Unsweetened Almond MALK, and Shelf Stable Original Oat MALK.

The new Cashew offering (SRP 6.99) is made with just filtered water, organic cashews, Himalayan pink salt, and organic almonds. Officials said Shelf Stable MALK (Unsweetened Almond & Original Oat) uses just three ingredients. Suggested retail price for both SKUs is $7.99. Both Cashew MALK and the new shelf stable SKUs rolled out nationwide at Whole Foods throughout March.  

Plant-Based, Probiotic

Lovebiotics, LLC, Ogden, Utah, extended its Coconut Cult plant-based probiotic yogurt line with a new Orange Dreamsicle flavor.

Co-Founder Noah Simon-Waddell says Coconut Cult's yogurts are made with organic, soy-free, gluten-free ingredients without refined sugars. The brand also uses organic coconut components and a blend of 16 human-strain probiotics for gut health benefits. Coconut Cult’s Probiotic coconut yogurts are made in small batches and deliver 25 billion live and active probiotics in every 2 tbsp. serving, within either a 16oz or 8oz jar. Other varieties include Original, Chocolate Mousse and Harvest Strawberry.

New Oat Milk Entry

Tirlan, Kilkenny, Ireland, extended its Truly Grass Fed brand into the dairy-free category with Truly Gluten Free Premium Irish Oat Milk in two varieties: Original and Extra Creamy. Both are available at The Fresh Market.

Truly Gluten Free Original Oat Milk has eight ingredients, filtered water, gluten free Irish oats, sunflower oil and sea salt. It is fortified and and a rich source of vitamin B2 & B12, D2 and calcium. Truly Gluten Free Extra Creamy Oat Milk contains only four simple quality ingredients as well as filtered water, gluten free Irish oats, sunflower oil and sea salt.

"By growing Truly Grass Fed into a new retail category, we are able to reach new customers who are looking to include plant-based products in their diet, need non-dairy alternatives or just want to enjoy the delicious taste of our pure, creamy oat milk,” said Jaclyn Crabbe, marketing director for Truly Grass Fed.

Fermented Protein

Precision fermentation protein specialist Perfect Day Inc. Berkeley, Calif., said it partnered with Unilever Ice Cream North America to create and launch new Breyer’s Lactose-Free Chocolate in 48oz tubs.

"The launch of Breyers Lactose-Free Chocolate with animal-free dairy is an exciting and innovative addition to Breyers' growing better-for-you portfolio," says Lisa Vortsman, chief marketing officer for Unilever Ice Cream. "As we've seen demand for alternative ice creams continue to grow, it is important to us to provide Breyers fans with frozen treats that meet their dietary needs and preferences, without compromising on the creamy taste and flavor that Breyers has offered for more than 150 years."

Clean Label 

PLANTSTRONG Foods, Austin, Tex., introduced four whole plant-based milks at 500 Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. Varieties include Unsweetened Almond, Unsweetened Oat, Oat & Almond, and Oat & Walnut. The shelf-stable offerings come in 32oz cartons.

“Look at the ingredient labels of the most popular plant-based milks and you’ll see they are full of gums, oils, enzymes, emulsifiers, and refined sugar,” said CEO and Founder Rip Esselstyn. “PLANTSTRONG provides a long overdue, clean-label option in the non-dairy milk category—one that is packed with nutrition and tastes great.”

Flavored Oatmilk Creamers

Sweden’s Oatly Group AB announced the US launch of Oatly Oatmilk Creamers in four flavors: Sweet & Creamy, Vanilla, Caramel, and Mocha. Oatly Creamers join the brand’s existing lineup of non-dairy milk alternatives available in North America, including Barista Edition, Original, Full Fat, Low Fat, Chocolate, and most recently introduced Super Basic and Unsweetened Oatmilks.

“As a company, we’re committed to converting cow’s milk drinkers into oatmilk buyers, so we’re excited to now offer fantastic, flavored creamers to people looking for a sweeter, more indulgent coffee experience,” said Leah Hoxie, SVP of Innovation, Oatly North America.

Shoppers can find refrigerated Oatly Creamers at Walmart, Target, Albertsons, Kroger, Stop & Shop, and other retailers with a suggested retail price of $5.99.

 “Complete” Milk Experience

Califia Farms, Los Angeles, greeted 2024 with new Califia Farms Complete, a creamy plant milk with nine essential nutrients, 8g of protein, all nine essential amino acids, and half the sugar of dairy milk. “Made from a special blend of pea, chickpea, and fava bean protein, Califia Farms Complete offers consumers the perfect way to meet their nutritional needs – all from plant sources,” the company says. The 40oz refrigerated carton is available at Target, Walmart, and other retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $6.69.

Also joining the Califia product line are an Organic Oat Barista Blend (32oz), Coconut Barista Blend (32oz), and a limited-edition Chocolate Strawberry Almond Creamer Limited Edition (25.4oz)

From Restaurant to Retail

Restaurant operator and frozen desserts maker Craig’s Vegan, West Hollywood, Calif., partnered with social sensation Christina "Tinx" Najjar to launch a limited-edition pint flavor, The Tinx Sundae. Officials say it was inspired by the Tinx Hot Girl Sundae, a custom dessert featured on the menu at Craig’s Restaurant and created by Tinx herself.

Craig’s Vegan The Tinx Sundae features cashew-based vanilla ice cream brownies, chocolate swirls, and rainbow sprinkles. All Craig’s Vegan frozen dessert pints are made with a cashew base that is 100% vegan, non-GMO, and kosher. Craig’s says the brand uses natural ingredients with no added preservatives, artificial flavors, colors, or high fructose corn syrup. The new offering is available at Sprouts and select Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilion stores.

Simple, Shelf Stable

Mooala Brands LLC, Dallas, introduced two new organic lines within a six-month period: new shelf-stable Moola Simple (almond and oat) and three of the company’s signature Bananamilks in 8oz shelf-stable “on-the-go” packaging.

Debuting last September was Mooala Simple line, billed as the “first-ever three-ingredient, organic, shelf-stable line of plant-based milk.” It comes in Almond and Oat varieties with no gums, oils or additives. Six-packs are available on Amazon for $36.99 and a single 32oz carton carries a SRP of just over $6. Simple milks contain only filtered water, organic oats or almonds, and sea salt."

This February, Mooala launched three best-selling bananamilks in an "on-the-go" format in Sprouts stores nationwide. Three new shelf-stable options are Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry. The single-serve line is sold at an SRP of $1.69 per 8oz unit.