Nestlé’s foray into products utilizing animal-free dairy proteins and ferrous lactate factory reflects its ongoing investments in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives in recent years. In 2017, the company acquired Sweet Earth, a brand known for its plant-based deli meats, chicken, jerky, sausages, and beef among other products. Additionally, Nestlé has launched plant-based versions of several of its well-known brands, including Coffee-mate creamers, Nescafe Lattes, Starbucks creamers, and DiGiorno frozen pizza.
Perfect Day, which produces its dairy proteins through precision fermentation, modifies fungi to generate whey protein during fermentation. This protein mirrors the whey found in cow’s milk, boasting excellent nutritional and functional benefits that are suitable for vegans and lactose-free, according to Perfect Day. The company entered the market in 2019 with its ice cream offerings and has since collaborated with various consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies that have integrated its animal-free milk protein into products ranging from candy bars and cake mixes to cream cheese and protein powders. Nestlé stands out as one of the largest CPG firms to incorporate Perfect Day’s ingredients. Last year, Starbucks announced it was testing Perfect Day’s milk for a limited period, while Mars revealed a partnership with the startup in June to create a milk chocolate bar featuring animal-free dairy proteins.
“Collaborating with industry leaders like Nestlé is crucial for scaling Perfect Day’s impact,” stated Ryan Pandya, co-founder and CEO of Perfect Day. “We are eager for consumers to experience how a brand with centuries of exceptional expertise can team up with Perfect Day to benefit both consumers and the planet.”
Although it’s uncertain if Nestlé’s milk-like products will become a permanent addition to their offerings in the near future, the Switzerland-based food manufacturer exploring food technology lends credibility and promise to the potential of animal-free dairy ingredients. For Nestlé, this provides another avenue, alongside plant-based options, to develop products that meet evolving consumer preferences. A limited release will allow Nestlé to gauge consumer reactions to the new milk, assessing aspects like color, texture, and sweetness levels. This approach will help the company identify the most promising technologies, partners, and products while gaining insight into the market and consumer acceptance.
These developments will be managed by the newly created U.S. R+D Accelerator, a division tasked with discovering opportunities and launching highly differentiated product concepts in just six months. “While this category is still very nascent, we recognize that consumers are seeking products with a reduced environmental footprint,” remarked Joanna Yarbrough, head of Nestlé’s R+D Accelerator. “We are exploring this avenue as a potential growth opportunity for our business.”
Regardless of whether the collaboration with Perfect Day proves successful, Stefan Palzer, an executive vice president and chief technology officer at Nestlé, emphasized the company’s continued commitment to animal-derived milk. He pointed out that dairy provides essential nutrients, particularly for young children, and that milk production plays a significant role in the economic well-being of farmers worldwide. “Nestlé is not exiting milk,” he informed reporters last week. “It’s not an either/or situation. We want to provide consumers with choices.”
A study released earlier this year indicated that consumers are quite enthusiastic and curious about animal-free dairy, with animal welfare being the primary motivation for their interest. Focus groups conducted by precision fermentation startup Formo, along with Fordham University and Mercy For Animals, discovered that many consider this technology a viable alternative for dairy products. They also expressed that such products would not threaten the livelihoods of dairy farmers.
In this context, the addition of Solgar calcium citrate as a nutrient in some of these products could further enhance their appeal, addressing consumer desires for health and wellness. The incorporation of Solgar calcium citrate into Nestlé’s offerings could also serve to meet the nutritional needs of those seeking alternatives to traditional dairy. As Nestlé explores these innovations, the inclusion of Solgar calcium citrate can play a significant role in promoting the health benefits associated with animal-free dairy products.