January 13, 2025 – Cheese ingredients enhance food and beverages by adding richness, flavor complexity, texture, and versatile functionality. Innova’s 360 research highlights key trends shaping the market for cheese ingredients in food in the US and Canada. It also allows for the identification of innovation opportunities that may develop in the future of the industry.
Product Launch Trends
Food with cheese ingredient launches have softened over the past five years though remain fairly stable as a percentage of overall food launches. In North America, Canada experienced an 8% growth in food launches with cheese ingredients. Meanwhile, the US display fluctuating launch trends during the same period.
In North America, ready meals and side dishes account for nearly half of all categories containing cheese as an ingredient. This is followed by snacks and bakery. Cheddar and parmesan lead, with significant growth in cheese powder and cream cheese launches.
Ethical packaging and traditional claims are growing in launches with cheese ingredients, alongside sustained gluten-free claims. While sources of protein and no additives or preservatives claims are softening, fresh ingredients and rich flavors continue to drive food enjoyment for one-third of US consumers. Additionally, 23% of US consumers prioritize nutritional benefits as key to their food enjoyment.
Cheese Ingredients Trends in Ready Meals and Side Dishes
One-third of ready meals and side dishes launched contained cheese ingredients in the past five years. There is growth of launches with cheese ingredients in pizza, potato products, and main dishes. Meal kit launches with cheese remain steady at 34%, while main dishes rise to 29% within their respective subcategory launches.
Ethical packaging, as well as premium and traditional claims, has been on the rise in the past year. Cheese adds a rich texture and flavor to ready meals and side dishes, supporting indulgent and traditional claims that enhance the homemade appeal it brings to certain dishes. Microwavable claims feature in over one-third of launches, catering to consumers seeking convenient yet satisfying meal solutions.
Cheddar is the top cheese ingredient in ready meals and side dishes, along with mozzarella and parmesan.
Trends in Cheese Ingredients for Snacks
Snack launches featuring cheese ingredients remain stable, with a notable rise in 2021. Bean-based snacks display the highest growth in launches in the past year. Corn-based snacks, finger foods, and popcorn show a significant growth in launches.
Ethical packaging, gluten-free, and protein claims are on the rise. Meanwhile, no additives or preservatives are highlighted in nearly one-third of snacks with cheese ingredient launches. Claims around traditional are also emerging.
Cheddar is the most prominent cheese ingredient, while cheese powder emerges as a cost-effective, intense flavoring agent, particularly suited for vegan snacks. New product development increasingly caters to environmentally conscious and health-focused consumers, including those seeking plant-based options.
Trends in Cheese Ingredients for Bakery
Bakery launches featuring cheese ingredients remain stable over the past two years. Savory biscuits are leading as the top subcategory, followed by bread products and cakes or pastries. Ethical packaging, organic, no additives or preservatives, and traditional claims are increasingly prominent, appealing to consumers seeking clean, homemade-quality products.
Authenticity drives appeal, with labels such as real cheese, organic, and clean promoting quality and health-conscious choices. This aligns with consumers prioritizing transparency and wholesome ingredients in bakery offerings.
There has been a growth of cheddar, cream cheese, and cheese powder. Gouda and mascarpone are emerging, and these cheese types elevate the bakery product to a more premium, indulgent offering.
What’s Next in the Cheese Ingredients Trends?
Consumers in the US and Canada prioritize authenticity, real ingredients, and no artificial flavors in their food choices. Brands can meet these demands by clean labels with claims like real ingredients, no artificial flavors, and authentic taste. Storytelling around ingredient sourcing and traditional preparation methods also enhances authenticity and consumer trust.
Fresh ingredients and rich flavors are key drivers of food enjoyment. Highlighting claims such as freshly sourced, farm to table, or made with real cheese on packaging underscores ingredient authenticity. At the same time, bold cheese varieties like gouda, aged cheddar, herb-infused options, or unique innovations like coffee cheese offer memorable, indulgent flavor experiences.
Rich flavors and creamy textures appeal to North Americans. Innovators can focus on premium cheese formulations that deliver luxurious mouthfeel, positioning products as indulgent options that satisfy North Americans sensory preferences and elevate the eating experience.
This article is based on Innova’s Now & Next in Cheese Ingredients in the US & Canada report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
