What’s new in the dairy sector: June 2021
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Laird Superfood expands powdered coffee creamer line with Aloha Oat & Macadamia Superfood Creamer
Laird Superfood has expanded its Powdered Superfood Coffee Creamer line with Aloha Oat & Macadamia Nut Superfood Creamer - a plant-based oat creamer inspired by the flavors of Hawaii.
Aloha OatMac Superfood Creamer is the brand’s first non-coconut-based creamer.
According to recent data from SPINS and the Good Food Institute, the plant-based creamer category has experienced two consecutive years of strong growth with industry sales of plant-based creamer reportedly growing 77% in the past two years.
Laird Hamilton, co-founder of Laird Superfood, said, "Our Aloha OatMac Superfood Creamer is a great compliment to our Coconut Superfood Creamer - and follows the same 'better food' principles we live and stand for- all at an affordable price."
Ingredients in the product are: organic and gluten-free oat milk powder, macadamia nut powder, coconut sugar, avocado oil and aquamin.
Aloha OatMac Superfood Creamer is available in Original, Unsweetened, and Original with Functional Mushrooms. Offered in both 8 oz. and 16 oz. bags. Aloha OatMac Superfood Creamer is priced at $9.95 and $16.95 for flavors without Functional Mushrooms, and $11.95 and $19.95 with Functional Mushrooms.
Bellwether Farms introduces line of sheep cheese logs
California dairy company Bellwether Farms has expanded its sheep cheese lineup with a new Fresh Sheep Cheese available in five varieties: Original — with a bright, clean flavor with notes of lemon — as well as Strawberry Preserves, Orange Marmalade, Moroccan Spice, and Sonoma Herbs.
Whole sheep milk is sourced from a small network of local sheep dairies, and the sheep have year-round access to open space, are raised without hormones, and are fed an all-natural diet including grass and alfalfa to ensure the highest-quality milk production. Because sheep milk's protein is 100% A2 type, many people seek out sheep milk products since they tend to be gentler on digestion than cow's milk cheese.
"Our sheep milk products have been a huge hit with our customers," said Liam Callahan, owner of Bellwether Farms.
"They've been asking us to add a fresh sheep cheese to the mix and we're delighted to oblige with this launch. Thanks to the clean taste of sheep milk and our traditional, small-batch production methods, we are confident that our Fresh Sheep Cheese will be a new favorite among cheese lovers."
Bellwether Farms' Fresh Sheep Cheese Logs are available at grocery stores with a suggested retail price of $5.99 per 3 oz. package.
Häagen-Dazs DIVINE Collection launched in Canada
In Canada, Häagen-Dazs brand has launched DIVINE, a new light ice cream collection with 50% less fat and 25% less sugar than regular Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
The collection has fewer than 200 calories per serving (125ml).
"In a time when more and more Canadians are increasingly focused on wellness and mindful eating, we wanted to provide a lightened indulgence with zero taste or texture compromise which we know is so important when it comes to ice cream. Häagen-Dazs DIVINE offers the same creaminess of our signature Häagen-Dazs ice cream, in a lower fat, sugar and calorie version," said Juliane Trenholme, vice president, marketing, ice cream, Nestlé Canada.
The Häagen-Dazs DIVINE collection comes in three ice cream flavors: Chocolate Chunk Brownie (475ml tub) - Chocolate light ice cream mixed with chocolate fudge chunks and chewy brownie pieces; Raspberry Cheesecake (475ml tub) - Cheesecake light ice cream swirled with raspberry ripple and graham crunch pieces; and Vanilla Caramel Pretzel (475ml tub) - vanilla light ice cream with caramel sauce and cocoa-covered pretzel pieces.
Häagen-Dazs DIVINE is now available at retailers across Canada with an MSRP of C$6.99 per 475ML tub.
Shake Me Up
Latvia-based dairy and ice cream producer Food Union is giving a ‘modern twist to traditional dairy’ in the Baltics with the launch of a range of cross-category drinks, Shake Me Up.
Shake Me Up yogurt cocktails from the Valmiera brand are described as a drinkable on-the-go snack. The products are ‘gentle in flavor’ with an ‘airy foam’ created by shaking the yogurt drink for 15 seconds.
Flavors are: pineapple coconut pina colada, bubble gum, green apple, peach and plum.
“Consumers are increasingly searching for nutritious and health products to supplement their diets, but they also prioritize taste, ease of use and excitement the product brings, Valmeira Shake Me up products offer just that – an airy and bubbly moment of enjoyment, rich in taste,” Food Union said.
Greek Feta brand Dodoni launches new baked cheese snacks in the UK
Greek dairy brand Dodoni is launching baked cheese snacks exclusively in the UK.
Dodoni Cheese Thins are baked and 60% of every snack is made from Greek Feta PDO or Cypriot Halloumi cheese. The savory snacks come in four flavors: Feta, Tomato & Oregano; Feta, Jalapeno and Chilli; Halloumi Multi Seed; and Halloumi and Caramelised Onion.
The baked snacks come in 22g packs at £1.00 RRP for the convenience, single serve markets, as well as larger 80g sharing bags at £2.75 RRP.
Each snack is gluten free and non-GMO with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
New Klondike Shakes
In the US, Klondike Shakes Sit Back & Strawberry have launched.
The treat from Klondike inspired by classic diner milkshakes now comes in three flavors, including Wind Down & Chocolate and Chill Out & Vanilla.
Klondike Shakes are available now at major retailers nationwide and on GoPuff, Amazon Fresh and Instacart for a suggested retail price of $5.99 for a pack of 6.
Products from Kite Hill
In the US, Kite Hill has launched two new plant-based products – Protein Yogurt and Dairy-Free Queso.
Kite Hill Protein Yogurt is made with 10-12 grams of complete plant protein and 1-5 grams of sugar, and Kite Hill Dairy-Free Queso is the first vegan queso to hit the market using homemade cultured almonds.
The protein yogurt includes almonds and soy for protein and faba beans for added creaminess.
Kite Hill Protein is available in four flavors: Blueberry (5.3 oz), Strawberry (5.3 oz), Vanilla (5.3 oz, 16 oz) and Plain Unsweetened (16 oz). It is available at Whole Foods and Sprouts locations nationwide, with an MSRP of $1.99 for 5.3 oz. or $5.99 for 16 oz.
Kite Hill new Dairy-Free Queso is available at Sprouts and Whole Foods with an MSRP of $4.99 for 8 oz.
Nutpods launches zero-sugar sweetened coffee creamers
US plant-based creamer producer nutpods has introduced its first naturally-sweetened coffee creamers with zero sugar per serving.
Sprouts Farmers Markets and Wegmans will offer the Sweet Crème, French Vanilla, and Cookie Butter creamers in a 25.4oz refrigerated format. Sweet Crème, French Vanilla and Caramel will be available online in a 11.2oz shelf stable format.
Founder and CEO Madeline Haydon said, “While our classic unsweetened products continue to grow tremendously in popularity, our new sweetened line adds even more flavor without the added sugar or calories,” says Haydon. She continues, “We like to say that you can now have your cake and drink it too, with zero sugar and only 5 calories per serving.”
The company has also prioritized minimizing its impact on the environment by committing to Plant-Pack cartons made from up to 95% plant-based materials.
La Vaquita adds butter to line up
La Vaquita, Houston Hispanic cheese brand, has expanded into the butter category. The butter is made with cow’s milk with no added growth hormones and no artificial ingredients.
“La Vaquita is well known for delivering delicious and authentic Mexican flavors with our popular quesos and cremas, so butter, which is such an important cornerstone for cooking and baking, makes a perfect addition to our portfolio,” said Mihira Rami, director of brand marketing at La Vaquita.
“This product will appeal to our customers, as it offers them a high-quality butter option from an authentic Mexican brand.”
Available in both salted and unsalted varieties, each 8-ounce package contains two 4-ounce sticks. The wraps used on the La Vaquita butter sticks are labeled with tablespoon measurements for ease of use and are also compostable.
La Vaquita butter is currently available at select retailers in Texas.
Killer Creamery moves into new category with zero sugar ice cream sandwich
Killer Creamery, the US maker of no added sugar desserts, is launching Killer Sammies, a first-of-its-kind zero-sugar ice cream sandwich in the novelty category.
Like Killer Creamery’s other products, the sandwiches will be gluten-free, all-natural and keto-friendly.
Available in Chocolate and Vanilla, the dessert will have 2 to 3 grams of net carbs and 5 grams of protein per serving.
Killer Sammies have an MSRP of $5.99 to $6.99 per 6-pack and will be available on the Killer Creamery website, Amazon, and in Albertsons and Safeway stores in the Northwest and Southwest.
Alden’s Organic transforms beverages into ice cream
Oregon-headquartered Alden’s Organic is launching a collection of ice cream bars inspired by classic beverages: Strawberry Lemonade, Root Beer Float and Horchata.
“Our team has done an incredible job bringing these popular beverages to life through our novelties. With each bite you get true-to-flavor taste from our organic ingredients. For example, the Root Beer Float Bar will instantly take you back to enjoying a cold, crisp root beer with vanilla ice cream on a hot summer day,” said SVP of sales & marketing, Joelle Simmons.
In 2020, Alden’s Organic saw a 50% growth for its most nostalgic items like Old School Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches and Classic Fudge Bars and recent trend reports show consumer craving for comforting flavors is extending into 2021.
“Consumers are looking for familiar foods and flavors without the allergens. The new Summer Bar Collection offers both certified gluten free and vegan options, so everyone can enjoy,” Simmons said.
The three new Summer Bar Collection flavors are currently available online, as well as in grocers nationwide like Sprouts and Costco (SRP: $4.99-5.49): Dairy Free Strawberry Lemonade Bar - lemon dairy-free dessert swirled with organic strawberries (Certified Vegan); Root Beer Float Bar - root Beer sherbet swirled with organic vanilla ice cream (Certified Gluten Free); and Dairy Free Horchata Bar - dairy-free dessert with sweet cinnamon swirl (Certified Vegan).
New Shaken Udder flavor launched
UK milkshake brand, Shaken Udder, has added Salted Caramel to its 750ml range.
Salted Caramel will join Vanillalicious, Chocolush and Strawberries & Clotted Cream in the 750ml sharing range, a launch prompted by a change in shopping habits throughout the pandemic.
With people spending more time at home, Shaken Udder said it has seen an increase in sales of its 750ml bottle range as shoppers size up to stock their fridges. This prompted the company to reevaluate its sharing range and introduce a fourth flavor, Salted Caramel, which launched into Sainsbury’s.
“Salted Caramel is one of our most popular milkshake flavours - it is also the number one selling salted caramel shake in the UK - so it was a natural choice when we came to extend our sharing selection,” said Jodie Farran, co-founder of Shaken Udder.
Shaken Udder Salted Caramel 750ml is available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide with an RRSP of £2.15-2.20. Shaken Udder milkshakes are available in Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Boots, Booths, EOE Co-Op and M&S, in three formats, 330ml, 750ml and 200ml Shaken Udder Kids cartons.
Oikos introduces blended Greek nonfat yogurt
In the US Oikos Blended Greek Nonfat Yogurt has launched.
"Oikos has been delivering nutritious and delicious taste across our portfolio with disruptive high-protein innovations from Oikos Pro and Triple Zero," said Surbhi Martin, vice president, Greek yogurt & functional nutrition at Danone North America.
"With Oikos Blended, we will continue to challenge Greek category conventions with a new innovation loaded with more fruit, supported by an omni-channel 'Forkable' marketing campaign that is designed to let Greek yogurt fans to know it is okay to toss aside convention – and the spoon – when it comes to healthy snacking."
Oikos Blended can be found in the dairy aisle at retailers nationwide in six flavors: Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach, Cherry, Vanilla Bean and Anything But Plain. Each 5.3oz serving includes 12g-16g of protein, 6g-10g of total sugar, 0g of fat, 90-100 calories and is a good source of calcium. Flavors are available as 5.3 oz single servings ($1.29 each), in four packs ($3.99 each), or Vanilla Bean and Anything But Plain available in larger 32-ounce format ($5.99 each).
Dairy launches new two-milk cheese
Martin Gott and Nicola Robinson, the UK artisan cheesemakers behind St. James cheese, have just launched a brand-new cheese, a semi-hard in the round combined milk cheese.
The cheese is called GoaShee, as it is made using a blend of 30% sheep’s milk and 70% goat’s milk from Holker Farm’s own animals.
Cheesemakers often combine milks from different animals to create flavors and textures a single milk can't achieve. For example Melange Brebis from France, Mobay from the USA, Axridda from Sardinia, Pecorino Misto and Caciotta from Italy, Graviera Agrafon and Halloumi from Greece, La Gomera from Spain.
GoaShee is reminiscent of several Italian and Spanish hard cheeses. It’s matured for around six months and showcases the sweetness of sheep’s milk together with the delicate floral and herbaceous notes from the goat’s milk.
It is currently available from Courtyard Dairy, Settle, and from a variety of specialist cheesemongers across the UK including The Fine Cheese Co in New Market Dairy, Manchester.
Gott said, ‘’This is the fourth seasonal cheese we’ve created so far this year. By mixing both goat’s and sheep’s milks we’ve been able to create a really interesting cheese, which combines the best elements from both milk types. When the cheese is young at two to three months old it delivers a fresh and supple texture with herbaceous and floral notes, which as the cheese matures become more pronounced delivering an intense flavor profile and texture.’’
New from General Mills
Two limited-edition as well as two permanent new General Mills dairy offerings hit the shelves in the US this summer.
Limited-edition yogurts include kid friendly snacks – with flavors derived from fan-favorite candy Skittles and a new twist on lunchbox essential Go-GURT: Yoplait Skittles and Go-GURT Mystery.
Permanent offerings include a new flavor from Oui’s indulgent Layered Dessert offerings and a new Yoplait product for nutrition seekers: Yoplait Power and Oui Layered Dessert Strawberry Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust.
Yoplait Skittles is available for a limited time beginning in June, with an MSRP of $0.68 for a 6oz cup.
Go-GURT Mystery launches in four limited-edition Go-GURT Mystery Flavors, in 8-ct and 16-ct packs, which will be coming out one by one for consumers to solve the mystery.
Players visit Go-GurtMystery.com directly or via the on-carton and tube QR code for a chance to win prizes. MSRP is $4.00.
Yoplait Power is the first national brand yogurt with the combinations of vitamins D, A, C and E, as well as zinc. Paired with a medley of fruits, yogurt blend and chia seeds the new yogurt is available in four flavors: Strawberry with Acai and Chia, Blueberry with Blackcurrant and Chia, Cherry with Pomegranate and Chia and Mango with Orange and Chia.
The products will be available permanently beginning in July with an MSRP of $1.29 for 5.2 oz. single-serve cup.
The newest flavor in Oui by Yoplait’s Layered Dessert offerings, Oui Layered Dessert Strawberry Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust is its own spin on Crème Fraîche, a cultured French cream combined with strawberries and a chocolate crust.
The product, with an MSRP of $3.99 for two 3.5oz glass pots, is available in select retailers before expanding to other stores permanently soon.
New Boursin flavor launched
Boursin Cheese has unveiled a new limited flavor: Boursin Parsley & Lemon.
The new product combines tart citrus with seasonal parsley and the creamy, crumbly texture of Boursin cheese.
Boursin Parsley & Lemon is available now at retailers in the US.
Halo Top Key Lime Pie returns
Halo Top is bringing back its Key Lime Pie flavor for a limited time.
Each pint of Halo Top’s Key Lime Pie has a key lime pie flavored light ice cream, smooth lime meringue swirl and toasty graham cracker pie crust pieces throughout.
This seasonal summer flavor is available on shelves across the US, now through the end of summer.
