Danone Starts the New Year by Introducing New Plant-Based Products

Danone So Delicious have launched new plant-based cheeses, including shredded and sliced cheese along with creamy spreads.

The plant-based cheese products are dairy-, gluten- and soy-free and are non-GMO Project Verified. The plant-based shredded cheeses come in Mexican, Cheddar and Mozzarella flavors. The slices are available in American and Cheddar styles. Finally, the spreads are in available in Creamy Original and Chive & Onion styles.

According to The Good Food Institute, in 2019, the plant-based cheese category was worth $189 million. Sales of plant-based cheese grew 18 percent in 2019 and 51 percent over the 2017 to 2019 time frame.

The cheese from So Delicious offers a rich and creamy texture. In the plant-based cheese industry, having consistency and texture as close to the real-cheese experience is an important part of competing in the industry.

The cheeses from Danone will be available in the US from January onwards at retailers, including Target, Walmart, HEB, Hy-Vee, Hannaford, Market Basket, Fresh Thyme and Stop & Shop, while the spreads will be available in March.

Related: Will Plant-Based Technology Ever Fully Replace Meat and Dairy?

Earlier this month, Danone debuted their first plant-based beverage for athletes called Silk Ultra.

The beverage is designed for muscle maintenance and repair; it provides 20 grams of soy protein per serving along with calcium and vitamins A, D, B2 and B12. The beverage comes in three flavors: Creamy Chocolate, Unsweet and Original. In fact, the beverage has 2.5 times the amount of protein compared to cow’s milk.

“Fitness enthusiasts know that protein plays a critical role in supporting muscle performance, and serious athletes are incorporating more plant-based options into their diets and training regimens,” said Andrew Hartshorn, senior vice president of plant-based food and beverages for Silk, in a statement. “As the experts in developing delicious plant-based beverages for over 30 years, Silk saw a real consumer need for a great-tasting plant-based beverage in the protein space. Silk Ultra delivers complete plant-based protein and truly delicious taste so athletes don’t have to compromise.”

Plant-based milk is one of the most developed plant-based categories after plant-based meat. In 2019, the dollar sales of conventional milk were flat while the price of yogurt and eggs decreased by 1 percent and 10 percent, respectively, while the plant-based milk market grew five percent in dollar sales in 2019. Plant-based milk accounted for 14 percent of total milk sales.

The plant-based milk category is worth $2 billion and accounts for 40 percent of the total plant-based food market. Almond milk is the leader in plant-based milk and had $1.3 billion in dollar sales in 2019.

In 2020, plant-based milk accounted for $2.4 billion in sales. Plant-based eggs will see an increase in popularity, but it is predicted that plant-based cheeses will not see sale spikes until 2024 to 2029.