{"id":18484,"date":"2021-12-16T09:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T14:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/?p=18484"},"modified":"2022-04-01T15:35:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T19:35:21","slug":"animal-free-cream-cheese-is-it-vegan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/2021\/12\/16\/animal-free-cream-cheese-is-it-vegan\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cAnimal-Free\u201d Cream Cheese: Is It Vegan?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The VRG recently reported<\/a> in October 2021 on \u201canimal-free\u201d whey protein developed by Perfect Day<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To be clear, Perfect Day’s whey protein is not taken directly<\/em> from cow’s milk. It is produced by microorganisms possessing bovine-derived genetic material coding for whey. The bovine genetic information was taken from a virtual<\/em> DNA library and based on actual<\/em> genetic material (as stated in our earlier article and on Perfect Day’s website) \u201c…taken from the blood of 8-year-old L1 Dominette 01449, a cow living in Montana, in 2009.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The resulting whey protein is functionally<\/em> identical to cow’s whey. This means it performs the same roles just like cow’s whey in foods and beverages. For example, it could be used as a fat replacer, emulsifier, or texturizer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Because \u201canimal-free\u201d whey is genetically<\/em> identical to cow’s milk whey, people with cow’s milk allergies should avoid the \u201canimal-free\u201d whey protein as well as stay away from cow’s milk and ingredients derived from it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In our previous article, we listed a few seemingly non-dairy ice cream brands that already use this whey protein. We also predicted that Perfect Day’s \u201canimal-free\u201d whey \u2013 as well as \u201canimal-free\u201d caseins that are proteins also found in cow’s milk \u2013 would soon become widely used in a large number of other food and beverage products.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So, it was no surprise to read about the launch in November 2021 of an \u201canimal-free\u201d cream cheese alternative by food giant General Mills<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Called Bold Cultr<\/a>, this cream cheese product is labeled with the phrase \u201ccontains milk allergens\u201d on the front and back of the container. This statement alerts consumers with dairy sensitivities or allergies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The bovine gene-derived whey appears on the ingredients label of this product as \u201cnon-animal whey protein (contains milk allergens).\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Natural flavors in Bold Cultur cream cheese alternative<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Bold Cultr cream cheese alternative also contains unspecified natural flavors. Knowing that these could be animal-derived<\/a>, we reached out to the company for more information in mid-November 2021. We have not received a reply yet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Palm oil in Bold Cultr cream cheese alternative<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Interested readers concerned about the environmental impacts of food ingredients should note the second<\/em> ingredient on the label (after water) is \u201coil blend (palm oil and palm kernel oil).\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Being a major ingredient in a food means it is present in a large, albeit unspecified, amount according to p. 17 of the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Labeling Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Production of palm oil ingredients is associated with the massive destruction of mangrove forests<\/a> and mass extinction of species (such as orangutans and rhinos). Mangrove forests in particular are known to be huge carbon sinks that absorb carbon emissions responsible for accelerating our climate crisis. Without mangrove forests, greenhouse gases are likely to build up more quickly in the atmosphere.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where is Bold Cultr cream cheese alternative sold?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

According to Food Navigator \u2013 USA<\/a>, Bold Cultur cream cheese is currently available at select Hy-Vee stores in Minnesota. The company website states that it will soon be available for purchase online, at cafes, through foodservice, and in many retail outlets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A General Mills blog<\/a> says Minneapolis-based Rise Bagel Company will begin offering this cream cheese alternative in January 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Food Navigtor \u2013 USA<\/a> also reports that select Starbucks locations in the Pacific Northwest are testing milk and dairy products from Perfect Day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Right now, Bold Cultur cream cheese alternative is available in plain flavor only, although strawberry and chive & onion flavors are in development.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Which food and beverage products contain \u201canimal-free\u201d whey?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Besides the ice cream brands we listed in our Perfect Day Post<\/a>, here’s a list of food products containing bovine gene-derived whey that have already launched or will do very soon:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n