Nestlé boosts plant-based dairy range
Swiss food giant Nestlé is expanding its range of plant-based and lactose-free products for the growing number of consumers following a dairy-free or vegan diet.
This month in the US, for example, the company is preparing to launch Starbucks non-dairy creamers. And next month, Nestlé will bring a vegan Carnation condensed milk alternative to supermarket shelves in the UK.
A range of non-dairy cheese is also on the cards, the FMCG revealed, to ‘complement its existing plant-based burgers’.
While Nestlé has not published formulation and ingredients specifics concerning these new products, it did say that plant-based products made from pea protein is a ‘key focus’ area.
The company recently launched its first fully pea-based beverage under its Nesfit brand in Brazil. “Peas are one of the most environmentally friendly sources of plant-based protein, but when used alone, it can be challenging to turn them into a great-tasting beverage,” said Swen Rabe, head of Nestlé’s R&D Center in Konolfingen, Switzerland.
“By using our proprietary technologies, as well as our expertise in creating shelf-stable dairy products, we were able to develop a delicious pea-based beverage with a reduced sugar content when compared to similar products in the market.”