Non-Dairy

Sesame milk gains traction in evolving plant-based milk market

Sesame milk gains traction in evolving plant-based milk market

By Lisa Schofield

While almond milk and oat milk dominate the plant-based milk category in the US, Hope & Sesame sesame milk – which has a creamy texture and comparable protein levels to dairy milk (with the addition of some pea protein) – is gaining traction, generating...

Sproud has about half the sweetness of oat beverages and five-times the protein of soy and almond.

Swedish pea drinks make North American debut

By Beth Newhart

Following the worldwide success of oat drinks from Sweden, beverage company Sproud is looking to make peas the next big milk alternative protein source. After the postponement of Natural Products Expo West, it hits the North American market next month.

Hälsa called oats one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milk, but the US does not currently produce oats that meet Hälsa's quality standards. Pic: Hälsa

Hälsa Foods to convert dairy farms for organic oats

By Beth Newhart

A new program from oat-based yogurt alternative brand Hälsa Foods will partner with dairy farms, and support them converting to farmlands for growing organic oats. It will be led by a team of Scandinavian farmers, researchers and environmental experts.

“DHA Omega-3 helps support brain health for people of all ages and represents a simple way that consumers can make a healthy choice.

‘Veganuary’ drives plant-based dairy-alternative launches

By Beth Newhart

Eating healthier is a common New Year's resolution that brands like to capitalize on every year. New plant-based dairy alternatives are kicking off 2020, trying to tap into the oat, almond and coconut-based craze that’s challenging the dairy industry.

Hälsa Foods sees the future of plant-based as 100% clean label and organic.

Former Stonyfield exec joins non-dairy Hälsa Foods

By Beth Newhart

The co-founder and former CEO of dairy brand Stonyfield Organic, Gary Hirshberg, has joined Hälsa Foods as an investor and chairman. Hälsa produces Scandivaian-style, oat-based milk and yogurt alternatives.

General Mills is looking to improve the performance of its US yogurt business and is focused on driving the simply better segment of the yogurt category.

Oui by Yoplait enters non-dairy category

By Beth Newhart

Coconut-based yogurt alternatives are coming in 2020 from French-style yogurt Oui by Yoplait. The US dairy brand was also recognized as one of Nielsen’s 2019 Breakthrough Innovation winners.

Producing the Plant Butter generates less than half the greenhouse gas emissions that producing dairy butter does.

Country Crock introduces butter alternative

By Beth Newhart

After 30 years of manufacturing plant oil ‘buttery spreads,’ Country Crock has introduced a line of certified dairy-free spreads and sticks products.

New products for July 2019.

New in the dairy aisles: July

By Beth Newhart

DairyReporter brings you its monthly round-up of what’s new in the dairy aisles for July 2019.

Better Than Milk refreshes brand with beverage launch

By Beth Newhart

At the Summer Fancy Food show in New York City last week, plant-based powder brand Better Than Milk previewed its new line of shelf-stable, RTD beverages in five varieties, rolling out nationwide this fall.

New products for June 2019

New in the dairy aisles: June

By Beth Newhart

DairyReporter brings you its monthly round-up of what’s new in the dairy aisles for June 2019.

What’s new at the Summer Fancy Food Show?

What’s new at the Summer Fancy Food Show?

By Beth Newhart

The summer iteration of the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Fancy Food Show took place in New York City this week. Specialty food and beverage sales make up 16.1% of the total industry, with plant-based products growing the fastest in all categories....

If passed, the bill would make it a requirement that the FDA enforce dairy and non-dairy standards of identity. Pic: ©GettyImages/izanbar

Senators reintroduce Dairy Pride Act

By Beth Newhart

US Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jim Risch (R-ID) brought the Dairy Pride Act back to Congress last week after a failed attempt at passing it in 2017.

Gottlieb's resignation comes just two months after he denied rumors he planned to leave the FDA. Pic: WikimediaCommons

Gottlieb resigns from FDA, dairy projects in the balance

By Beth Newhart

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb signed a resignation letter Tuesday with intent to leave the role in one month. He has served as Commissioner for nearly two years and been pivotal in the recent plant ‘milk’ vs. dairy...

Ice cold: winter ice cream round-up

Ice cold: winter ice cream round-up

By Beth Newhart

Freezing temps across the US haven’t discouraged ice cream brands from expanding their portfolios. From boozy flavors to low-cal pops, here are the freshest launches within the US frozen dessert category.

Country music singer Kellie Pickler kicked off the race and met with fans at the finish line.

Silk pushed ‘healthy progress’ on the Grammy’s red carpet

By Beth Newhart

Ahead of last weekend’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Danone North America and Silk facilitated a 7K ‘fun run’ using a four mile-long red carpet. The dairy alternative’s new ‘Progress is Perfection’ campaign encourages non-dairy swaps and setting ‘wellness...

Are consumers really confused by dairy alternative names? Pic: ©GettyImages/byheaven

Plant-based labels argument continues

By Beth Newhart

In 2018 the FDA committed to looking into the arguments surrounding plant-based dairy alternative product labels using dairy terms. The agency collected public input on the debate until January 25.

“People just have to be willing to take 60 seconds to make it.

Modest Mylk ditches the carton for sustainable nut beverage bases

By Beth Newhart

A new make-your-own nut-based milk alternative is hitting the market this month. Modest Mylk is a nut paste sold in glass jars designed to blend with water into a ‘milk-like’ beverage, which the company says is more sustainable and affordable than conventional...

Out-of-the-box flavors and ingredients are carving out space in healthy dairy products from cheese to beverages.

Latest trends in specialty foods at WFFS

By Beth Newhart

The Winter Fancy Food Show (WWFS) last week featured 1,400 companies and more than 25,000 attendees looking out for the latest trends in food and drink. More functional and plant-based CPGs are on the dairy horizon for 2019.

Chobani dips into non-dairy with new coconut-based line

By Beth Newhart

Greek yogurt giant Chobani has jumped on the popular plant-based wave and introduced a line of non-dairy yogurt alternative drink and cup products. It follows last month’s announcement of Chobani’s significant expansion into kids’ yogurt.

The FDA provided a list of five categories with corresponding questions to guide the feedback. Pic: ©GettyImages/CHAUDRON PASTEL

FDA to extend feedback period for dairy product labeling

By Beth Newhart

After announcing a commitment to review the labeling standards for dairy and non-dairy products over the summer, the FDA is extending its comment period by 60 days to allow more time for the public to weigh in on the issue.

Elmhurst's unsweetened drinks are made from just two ingredients--nuts and water.

Elmhurst expands offerings one year into plant-based switch

By Beth Newhart

Formerly known as Elmhurst Dairy, the New York-based creamery switched from producing dairy products to only producing plant-based products in May 2017. More than a year later it’s still developing new flavors of its ‘milked’ nuts and grains and introducing...

The program has produced 49 emerging growth companies and launched 31 pilots in two years. Pic: ©GettyImages/Jesper Mattias

Nestlé partners with startups for TERRA Food Accelerator

By Beth Newhart

The third cohort of the TERRA Food & Agriculture Accelerator kicked off its corporate partnerships this week. Nestlé USA is working with three startups developing foods focused on plant-based nutrition, simple labels and fresh ingredients.

Rise struggled with sourcing oat ‘milk’ that was up to their standards because they place a strong emphasis on organic ingredients.

Organic nitro cold brew oat beverage lattes launching

By Beth Newhart

Coffee brand Rise Brewing Co. has introduced a line of ready-to-drink nitro cold brew lattes, including two flavors made with oat beverages. Consumer demand and ‘flavor profile’ drove the decision to use dairy alternatives, the company said.