Tesco Launches Vegan Cheese Line

UK-based supermarket chain Tesco, the third largest retailer in the world, introduced a new line of vegan cheeses under its private-labeled FreeFrom brand this week. The company worked with Scottish vegan brand Bute Island Foods to develop the line of coconut-based cheeses which are currently available in nine varieties, including a blue-style wedge (with “mold effect”), mature cheddar wedge, cheddar-style with jalapeño and chili, smoked cheddar round, Wensleydale-style with cranberries, sliced red Leicester-style, spreadable cream cheese, and two shredded flavors (mozzarella and parmesan). Last October, a seven-product vegan cheese line—also developed by Bute Island Foods—was launched by competitor supermarket Sainsbury’s under its own private-labeled FreeFrom brand. In January, Sainsbury’s reported the line drew in 300 percent more in sales than it had initially expected.