Dive Brief:
- SPINS data reported that sales figures for the plant-based yogurt segment are expected to approach $78 million for 2016, increasing 50% annually and growing 10 times faster than dairy-based yogurts, according to Food Business News.
- Good Karma Foods CEO Doug Radi said the space is surprisingly underdeveloped despite impressive category growth.To remedy this, the company will launch a new line of dairy-free yogurts featuring flaxseed, pea protein and live and active cultures.
- The Good Karma Dairy Free Yogurts will contain 5 to 6 grams of protein per serving and are available in blueberry, strawberry, vanilla, plain and raspberry flavors. The company also "offers a variety of flaxseed-based milk alternatives and dairy-free probiotic drinkable yogurts with 1,200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in each serving," according to Food Business News.
Dive Insight:
Nutritionists have long championed the benefits of flaxseed combined with yogurt, as the mixture offers an impressive amount of protein, carbs and healthy fats. The combination also helps regulate the digestive system and, according to some, may even reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
While the caloric intake is a bit high — the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference lists a tablespoon of ground flaxseed as containing 37 calories — flaxseed also contains two grams of dietary fiber.
Consumers are learning more about these benefits through food blogs and popular food shows on TV, and it’s probably only a matter of time before more companies follow Good Karma’s lead. It will be interesting to see if this category will experience the meteoric (and sustained) growth of dairy-free milk categories as more consumers seek out both plant-based proteins and better-for-you food products.