USA -The American dairy processor, Chobani is set to launch nine coconut-based products in the United States as it expands portfolio from the processed dairy range.

The plant-based dairy alternatives consist of single-serve cups available in blueberry, peach, slightly sweet plain, strawberry, and vanilla flavours and single-serve drinks, with four variants available: mango, slightly sweet plain, strawberry, and vanilla chai.

The products, first non-dairy products launched by the company are an alternative to flagship Greek yoghurt brand.

The company said that the coconut-based products contain about 25% less sugar than other plant-based yogurt alternatives. 

The range is made using natural, non-GMO ingredients, with no artificial flavours, sweeteners or preservatives.

“We have a belief: if we can’t make something better, we don’t make it at all. And for some time, we’ve felt that people deserve better non-dairy options,” said Chobani CEO and founder Hamdi Ulukaya.

“We’ve come up with something that’s much better than what’s out there – a new recipe that’s absolutely delicious, but also meets our food philosophy of being nutritious, made with only natural ingredients and at a price that’s accessible to all.

Most importantly, this isn’t a replacement to dairy, but it’s a game-changer for plant-based products.”

The new product is not labelled as yoghurt as Chobani seeks to distinguish the plant-based range with the dairy counterpart.

Growth of non-dairy

Growth of the non-dairy yoghurt alternatives is speedily growing and Chobani has developed the product parallel to its dairy brand to meet the nutritional requirements by consumers.

According to research firm Mintel, non-dairy yogurt sales are growing, as are consumer interest and product development.

Other companies running in the segment include Danone’s Silk which makes almond milk yogurts and So Delicious, a line consisting of yogurt alternatives made from coconut milk.

Stonyfield makes soy-based yogurt, and smaller companies like Kite Hill which has funding from General Mills also make artisanal plant- and nut-based yogurts.

The developments come even as the industry seeks to distinguish the dairy yogurts and their plant based alternatives.

US Food and Drug Administration last September launched an investigation into the labelling of food and beverages that are being sold as substitutes for dairy products