Plant-Based Milks, Vegan Snacks Expand in Retail
École Ducasse launches plant-forward courses for 2027, while Ripple Foods and Glebe Farm introduce new dairy-free milks.
French culinary school École Ducasse will launch three plant-forward gastronomy training programmes starting in Spring 2027. Founded by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, the school's offerings include an English-language Essentials of Naturalité course focused on vegetable-led cooking and Vegan Pastry Essentials courses in English and French.
BuzzFeed's food brand Tasty has released a new original series called 'Is It Vegan?' The show features R&B icon and plant-based chef LaTocha and is described as part food show, part celebrity interview, and part talk show.
New Product Launches
Several companies have introduced new plant-based products to the market. Ripple Foods has unveiled a shelf-stable plant-based milk designed for toddlers aged 12-36 months. It comes in original and unsweetened flavours and is sold in four-packs of 8oz cartons exclusively in the baby aisle at Walmart stores nationwide for $8.96. Each pack provides 8g of pea protein, omega-3s, choline, prebiotic fibre, and 60% of a child's daily calcium needs.
British dairy-free startup Glebe Farm has rolled out a coconut oat milk under its PureOaty brand. The product combines 15% oats with water, coconut cream, and salt.
In the UK, Plenish, a plant-based milk brand owned by Carlsberg-Britvic, has introduced its first flavoured dairy alternative: a dark cocoa and sea salt almond milk. The one-litre packs retail for £2.50 on Ocado. This launch is part of a partnership with Tony's Chocolonely's ethical sourcing initiative, Tony's Open Chain.
Other notable launches include Madly Hadley's dairy-free parmesan at Sprouts Farmers Market, Midi Bites' refrigerated plant protein snacks at Target, and Squeaky Bean's BBQ pulled pork shreds made from wheat protein.
| Company | Product | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ripple Foods | Toddler Milk (12-36 months) | Original & unsweetened; 8g pea protein per 8oz carton; $8.96 for a 4-pack at Walmart |
| Glebe Farm (PureOaty) | Coconut Oat Milk | 15% oats, coconut cream, water, salt |
| Plenish | Dark Cocoa & Sea Salt Almond Milk | First flavoured alternative; £2.50 for 1L on Ocado |
| Squeaky Bean | BBQ Pulled Pork Shreds | Wheat protein; 30g protein per 120g pack |
| Planted | Mince | 58g protein per 320g pack |
Retail and Franchise Expansion
Plant-based brands are securing new retail listings and expanding their physical presence. Vegan cheese startup Madly Hadley has secured nationwide distribution for all three flavours of its dairy-free parmesan at Sprouts Farmers Market stores. Midi Bites' plant protein snacks are now available at Target stores.
US plant-based fast-food chain Slutty Vegan has announced a new franchise location in Cincinnati, though the specific location and opening date have not been revealed. In Germany, mycelium meat maker Matr Foods has launched its burger and mince products at Rewe Lieferservice's online store.
British plant protein brand Tofoo & Co has launched silken tofu and seitan frankfurters and bratwurst at Tesco and Sainsbury's, with the silken tofu also available at Waitrose.
Business and Legal Developments
The Superior Court of Quebec has approved a C$7.5 million class-action settlement related to a 2024 lawsuit against Danone's Silk and Walmart's Great Value brands. Customers who fell sick from recalled plant-based milks are entitled to compensation.
In funding news, Indian startup Protein Pantry has raised ₹9 crore to establish a manufacturing unit and advance its R&D. Danish firm Launch Bioindustries secured 4.2 million kroner in a convertible loan to develop technology for converting organic waste into compostable bioplastics.
Finnish mycoprotein startup Enifer has begun commissioning its factory in Kantvik. The company claims the facility will be able to supply protein equivalent to that from 30,000 cows but with at least 20 times lower carbon emissions.
Dutch accelerator Food Pioneers will host a pitching event for its 2026 programme on October 8, where three of 19 startups can win €50,000 in growth capital. Danish startup Tempty Foods was named Foodtech Company of the Year at the Foodtech Innovation Forum.
