Nestlé joins forces with Perfect Day to pilot animal-free dairy protein milk in US

13 Sep 2022 --- Nestlé is exploring emerging technologies for developing animal-free dairy protein-based products while making dairy more climate-friendly. The move supports investments the Swiss food giant has made in plant-based meat and dairy alternative offerings to meet the growing demand for nutritious and environmentally sustainable diets.

Nestlé will pilot a novel product through the company’s newly established US R+D Accelerator, bringing it to the US market later this year as a “test-and-learn.” 

The product is made with animal-free protein from Perfect Day which is made through precision fermentation, is identical to the whey protein found in cow’s milk, offers good nutritional and functionality benefits suitable for vegans and is lactose-free, according to the company.

“A relevant consumer solution”
Nestlé R&D teams in Switzerland have developed the product.

“Delivering foods and beverages that are good for people and the planet is a priority. We are exploring emerging technologies that can lead to animal-friendly alternatives that are nutritious and sustainable, without compromising on taste, flavor and texture,” says Heike Steiling, head of Nestlé’s Development Center for dairy products.

“Bringing together our R&D expertise, innovation capabilities and scale, we are working to develop and test novel animal-free dairy protein-based products to complement our wide-ranging portfolio of plant-based alternatives.”

The company is testing technologies for animal-free dairy proteins through its recently inaugurated US R+D Accelerator.The recently created US R+D Accelerator is focused on identifying opportunities and aims to bring highly differentiated product concepts to the market in only six months.

“While this category is still very young, we know consumers are looking for products with a reduced environmental footprint. We are evaluating this avenue as a future growth opportunity for our business,” adds Joanna Yarbrough, head of the R+D Accelerator. 

Climate-friendly dairy expands
Dairy products remain an important part of Nestlé’s portfolio and provide essential nutrients, especially for young children, while milk production contributes to farmers’ economic livelihoods globally. 

Nestlé continues exploring solutions and technologies to make dairy more “climate-friendly.”

Through investing in initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy, launching more plant-based dairy alternatives, and exploring emerging technologies for animal-free dairy proteins, Nestlé will be able to transform its portfolio as a part of its broader commitment to provide food that’s good for people and the planet.

This latest move marks another partnership that Perfect Day has had within the F&B industry. 

Confectionery giant Mars Wrigley has unveiled a new eco-centric chocolate, CO2COA, in partnership with Perfect Day. 

Made with certified cocoa in addition to Perfect Day’s cow-free ingredient, CO2COA maintains a silky-smooth taste.

Meanwhile, Strive Nutrition allied with Perfect Day to scale animal-free whey in alternative milk.

“Nutritionally speaking, whey protein is one of the highest value proteins in our food system,” comments Dennis Cohlmia, co-founder and CEO of Strive, noting that the cow-free protein contains all nine essential amino acids.

Perfect Day’s senior manager for corporate communications, Anne Gerow, recently told FoodIngredientsFirst how the precision fermentation process allows the company “to create nature-identical dairy protein without any animal inputs.”

Edited by Elizabeth Green