Milk- and Dairy Alternatives: Latest News 2023 - vegconomist: the vegan business magazine

Oatly Barista

© Oatly

For World Milk Day, We Highlight Oat Milk’s Meteoric Rise and Latest Innovations

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023

June 1 marks World Milk Day, and while the occasion was originally launched by the UN to recognize dairy milk, plant-based milk is increasingly taking center stage as the world’s creamy beverage of choice. Out of the countless dairy-free milk varieties, arguably none has shot to fame as quickly or attracted more passionately loyal fans than the humble oat milk. It’s notable to recall that, just over five years ago, few people had ever heard of oat milk, and the product was virtually non-existent in most coffee shops and smoothie bars. But brands like Oatly broke open the lucrative market for this innovative beverage, which is beloved the world over for its creamy texture, low calorie count and gluten- and nut-free ingredients. According to Research …

Organisations and Brands:Califia Farms Häagen-Dazs Hershey's Oatly So Delicious

© DUG

© DUG

Cream of the Crop: On World Milk Day 2023 We Celebrate Plant Alternatives, From the Bestsellers to the Weird & Wonderful

June 1, 2023

Let’s celebrate plant-based milk on World Milk Day 2023. Consumers around the globe are increasingly swapping cow’s milk for soy, oat, and almond, representing the most popular dairy alternatives until now. But businesses are committed to creating innovative products. Different grains, seeds, and and vegetable sources concoct nutritious, tasty, sustainable, and cruelty-free alternatives. There is plenty of room for innovation. The plant-based milk segment dominates the plant-based category. Annually in the United States alone, it generates over $ 3 billion in revenue. In the EU, the plant-based milk market is €700 million larger than that of plant-based burger patties, sausages, and lunch meats, according to Statista. Global bestsellers Soy Soymilk is a popular alternative to dairy milk, seen as the global leader in non–dairy options. Due to its similar nutrient content to …

NotCo appeals lawsuit against its trademark NotMilk

© NotCo

NotCo Fights for NotMilk Trademark Following Dairy Lawsuit in Chile

May 31, 2023

Yesterday Chilean giant NotCo announced that in the next few days, it will appeal against a ruling prohibiting the use of the NotMilk trademark in Chile. At the end of 2020, Aproval, the Valdivia dairy farmers union, filed an “unfair competition” lawsuit to the 1st Civil Court of Valdivia, accusing NotCo of taking advantage of “milk’s prestige.” Aproval argued that NotMilk’s advertising strategy uses the word milk to sell its product and, at the same time, disqualifies natural milk, saying it is harmful to health and the environment. The court, which ruled in favor of the dairy union, ordered the “cessation and prohibition of the use of any mark, labeling, distinctive or image, of any nature (whether on the packaging of its product or in …

Organisations and Brands:NotCo

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Oatley's new range with improved formula launches in the UK

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Oatly Introduces New Oat Drink Range in the UK: Light, Semi, Whole, and “No” Sugars

May 26, 2023

Just days after reporting robust global growth, Oatly announces the launch of a new “great tasting” oat drink range with improved recipes — Light, Semi, Whole, and “No” Sugars — in major retailers across the UK. Dairy and soy-free, Oatly’s new range is unflavoured, contains no added sugar or sweeteners, and is low in saturated fat. Oatly oat drinks provide calcium, iodine, riboflavin, and vitamins B12 and D. According to a recent study, this new range has a 58%-63% lower climate impact than comparable cow’s milk, announced Oatly. Aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability, Oatly recently launched a global regenerative agriculture movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically, starting in Canada, Sweden, the US, Finland, and the UK. Bryan Carroll, GM at Oatly UK, commented: “We want to …

Organisations and Brands:Oatly

Veg of Lund, DUG's parent company receives patent approval for potato ice cream

© DUG

Veg of Lund Secures Swedish Patent Protection for “Unique” Potato Ice Cream

May 24, 2023

Swedish plant-based foods company Veg of Lund — DUG Drinks’ parent company — announces new patent approval for a “unique” ice cream that combines potatoes, rapeseed oil, and a vegetable protein emulsion. This ice cream patent protection covers only the Swedish market. Still, the company says it has filed applications to secure international protection as well. Professor Eva Tornberg, founder and chairman of the board at Veg of Lund, commented: “We are pleased that a patent is approved in Sweden. The fact it is based on such an everyday crop as potatoes shows the uniqueness and strength of the patent.” Veg of Lund’s patent portfolio Eva Tornberg founded Veg of Lund in 2016, inspired by the potential of potatoes as a sustainable protein source for plant-based foods. These tubers’ …

Organisations and Brands:DUG Veg of Lund

Jonathan Petrides, Founder of allplants

Founder Jonathan Petrides ©allplants

Experts Respond to Draft UK Guidelines That Would Ban Use of Dairy-Like Terms for Plant-Based Products

May 23, 2023

Investigative reporting from The Times and Greenpeace has revealed that new UK Trading Standard guidelines could ban the use of dairy-like terms when marketing plant-based alternatives. We spoke with the founder of industry leader allplants and the co-founder of food industry comms firm Palm PR, for a food industry perspective and public relations advice around this complicated issue. If the draft guidelines are put into force, then “obvious misspelling, homophonic words or [the] inserting [of] non-alphabet symbols” to refer to legally protected dairy terms would be prohibited. This could affect all vegan dairy products, and could see brands banned from labelling their products as “mylk”, “m*lk”, “vegan cheese”, “plant-based yoghurt”, or “cheddar-type”, along with a host of other descriptors that have historically been allowed. The …

Organisations and Brands:Allplants Palm PR

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Oatly F.A.R.M. The Future Agriculture Renovation Movement

© Oatly

Oatly Launches Regenerative Agriculture Movement to Slash Climate Footprint by 70%

May 22, 2023

Oatly has announced the launch of a global regenerative agriculture movement that will work with farmers to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Called F.A.R.M (Future Agriculture Renovation Movement), it aims to restore carbon, improve biodiversity, and support farm viability. The movement will test several different models of regenerative agriculture; pilots are currently taking place in Canada, Sweden, the US, Finland, and the UK, and will scale globally if successful. In 2022, 22 corn and soy farmers participated in the pilot schemes by adding oats as a third crop in their rotation. Oatly says it consults with farmers to find out what works and provides financial incentives to those who take part in the pilots. “The whole idea of planting clover and other cover crops kind …

Organisations and Brands:Oatly

Plant Milk Butter

©Miyoko's Creamery

Miyoko’s Creamery Partners with Dot Foods to Expand Plant Milk Butter and Cheese in US Food Service

May 19, 2023

Plant dairy innovator Miyoko’s Creamery announces it is partnering with Dot Foods, North America’s largest food industry redistributor, to bring its award-winning Plant Milk Mozzarella and Butter to US food service nationwide. Through the partnership, Miyoko’s plant-based products – which have been developed for all culinary and baking applications – will become available to over 5,000 food service distributors across the country. According to the company, it strives to create artisan plant-based cheeses and butter that challenge category norms with taste appeal and culinary excellence. The new lineup at Dot Foods includes: European Style Plant Milk Butter – A cultured and churned butter made using traditional methods that melts, spreads, bakes, and browns. Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella – A first-of-its-kind, organic cashew milk made without the …

Organisations and Brands:DOT Foods Miyoko's Creamery

Lavva Yogurt Flavors

©Lavva

The Return of Lavva: After Two Years, Beloved Plant-Based Yogurt Re-Launches in Stores

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023

After a two-year hiatus, plant-based yogurt favorite Lavva is returning to US retailers. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Lavva, known for its clean-label yogurt made with pili nuts, was experiencing strong growth and gained a highly devoted fan base. But months into the COVID pandemic, the company was forced to pivot from retail to online shipping, and additional challenges brought on by the global crisis further disrupted its supply chain and production. By 2021, Lavva’s products had largely disappeared from stores, leading many sad and disappointed fans to believe the company had permanently closed down. Making a comeback But Lavva devotees can rejoice again, because the company is officially back and working on re-stocking in stores. As Founder and Chief Growth Officer Elizabeth Fisher explains, …

Organisations and Brands:Lavva

Rude Health no sugars

© Rude Health

Rude Health Launches Organic Oat & Almond Milks With No Sugars

May 16, 2023

Rude Health, a UK brand specialising in milk alternatives and cereals, has launched organic oat and almond milks containing no sugars. While many plant milks are made without added sugar, most contain naturally occurring sugars, which can sometimes give them a slightly sweet taste. However, Rude Health’s new oat milk has been produced using a method that extracts the creaminess and flavour from the grain while leaving the sugars behind. Only four ingredients are required, and the oats used are gluten-free. The organic almond milk is naturally sweet and contains just three ingredients — Italian almonds, spring water, and carob seed flour (which helps to keep the milk smooth and creamy). Both new products have been developed in response to the increasing demand for sugar-free …

Organisations and Brands:Rude Health

NotCo Argentina

© NotCo

NotCo Argentina Launches NotCow Campaign to Promote Cruelty-Free Dairy

May 11, 2023

Chilean B Corp certified unicorn company NotCo has launched a marketing campaign in Argentina called NotCow, featuring the slogan “Cross out what you don’t want, Keep what you like,” encouraging consumers to switch to cruelty-free, healthier, and more sustainable alternatives. NotCow aims to promote NotCo’s plant-based products — NotMilk, NotCream Cheese, and NotDulce de Leche — as options for traditional Argentinean favorites such as milk coffee, toast with cream cheese, and dulce de leche (a ubiquitous sweet in the country’s gastronomy). “The category of dairy replacements is a clear example of how countless recipes and occasions at home can become plant-based without effort and without leaving aside taste and enjoyment,” says Matias Latugaye, Country Manager Argentina of NotCo. In Argentina, the vegan population amounts to 4%, and …

Organisations and Brands:NotCo

milk cartons in school canteen

© Kristina Blokhin-stock.adobe.com

Plant-Based Milk in School Rejected: European Parliament Fails Children and the Planet

May 10, 2023

Members of the European Parliament have voted not to offer plant-based milks in schools, with the majority failing to include the drinks in their initiative reports on the EU School Scheme. The move has been described as a “missed opportunity” by ProVeg International, as it excludes children who cannot or do not want to drink cows’ milk. The organisation noted that some milk alternatives, such as soy and pea, are equally nutritious to dairy with a much lower environmental impact. “Very disappointed” ProVeg said the School Scheme was falling short of its potential to offer environmentally friendly products to children across Europe. Including plant milks would also be in line with the Food Systems Framework initiative, which aims to make European diets more sustainable. However, …

Organisations and Brands:European Parliament

toni-petersson-jean-christophe-flatin

©Oatly

Oatly Names Jean-Christophe Flatin, Previously Mars President, as New CEO, Reports Robust Global Growth

May 9, 2023May 9, 2023

Oatly Group AB (Nasdaq: OTLY), the world’s largest oat drink company, announces today that Global President Jean-Christophe Flatin has been named the company’s next CEO effective June 1, 2023. Concurrently, the Swedish oat giant states it is on track to create profit in 2024 following global robust revenue growth in Q1, with total revenues increasing $29.5m, compared to $166.2M for Q1 in 2022. “We delivered a solid start to the year, with an acceleration of growth, sequential gross margin expansion, and an improvement in profitability. Importantly, the supply chain has continued to perform well. This strong supply chain performance has enabled us to make progress against our 2023 priorities and start playing offense again,” said present Oatly CEO, Toni Petersson. Petersson, who has served as …

Organisations and Brands:Oatly

bettermoo(d) set to raise $10 million to launch its Moodrink

Image credit: bettermoo(d) FB

Bettermoo(d) Aims to Secure $10M for Vegan Alpine Milk Moodrink

May 8, 2023

Plant-based dairy alternative company bettermoo(d) seeks to raise $10 million by selling shares at $6.80 each in a non-brokered private placement. Before launching its trademarked Moodrink — a vegan alternative formulated to emulate the taste of Alpine milk — on the West Coast of Canada this September, the company is offering a financing opportunity. It requires investors to purchase one share of common stock and one share purchase warrant, which is exercisable for $9.80 per share for 24 months. A new leader in the alt dairy sector The announcement was made by its parent company bettermoo(d) Food Corporation (CSE: MOOO), (OTCQB: MOOOF), (Frankfurt:0I5A, WKN: A3D8PP). bettermoo(d) Food Corporation is an innovative plant-based dairy food and beverage firm based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with an established …

Organisations and Brands:bettermoo(d)

Unsweetened sesame milk in store

©The Planting Hope Co.

Planting Hope Reports “Record Year of Growth” in 2022, Quadruples YOY Revenue

May 4, 2023

The Planting Hope Company (CVE:MYLK) announces its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 2022, and reports it achieved record revenues of $12.2M last year, more than 4.6 times its revenue in 2021. Planting Hope, whose products include Hope and Sesame sesamemilk, RightRice and Mozaics Veggie Chips, says its 2022 revenues were 358% higher than in 2021, driven by its acquisition of RightRice, significant North America retail expansion, and enthusiastic response to its Barista Blend Sesamemilk in food service and coffee shops. “In 2022, we rolled out our flagship Hope and Sesame Barista Blend Sesamemilk to the critical Café channel,” said Julia Stamberger, CEO and co-founder of Planting Hope. “After five years of formulation, development and testing, sesame milk is the first meaningful new …

Organisations and Brands:Hope and Sesame The Planting Hope Company