Heinz has partnered with AI brand NotCo to launch a range of Kraft vegan cheese slices with ’dairy-like meltability’…
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Food giant Heinz is launching vegan cheese slices nationwide following a hugely successful trial.
Under its Kraft subsidiary, the company partnered with TheNotCompany (NotCo) last year.
The partnership made use of NotCo’s AI technology programme called Giuseppe – which ‘analyses the structure of an animal-based food at its molecular level and replicates it using plant-based ingredients’.
As a result, the duo created three realistic variants of plant-based cheese: American, provolone, and cheddar.
Heinz’ vegan cheese slices
The vegan cheeses are made from natural ingredients such as chickpea and coconut oil and have no artificial flavours or dyes.
During an eight-week test in Cleveland, KRAFT NotCheese Slices became the number one branded plant-based slices in USD sales.
On July 7, the highly sought-after cheeses will be available nationwide in both the plant-based and dairy aisles at stores.
Heinz has also hinted an international expansion could come as soon as next year. However, no specific details have been announced.
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‘Dairy-like meltability’
“Introducing KRAFT NotCheese Slices, that look, feel, and taste like their animal-based counterpart,” Heinz said in a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living.
“The creamy texture and dairy-like meltability will make it hard to believe these slices are made with plant-based ingredients.”
Heinz says its launch comes at the perfect time, with 47 percent of consumers ‘dissatisfied with taste, texture, variety, and availability’ of vegan cheese.
Not a fan of store-bought cheese? Check out these 23 mouthwatering vegan cheese recipes
Featured image © Kraft Heinz Not Company
