Exclusive: BioCheese Unveils Australia’s First High-Protein Dairy-Free Cheese
Australian plant-based brand BioCheese has launched a high-protein, dairy-free Cheddar Shred product to meet consumer demand for foods with functional health benefits.
BioCheese, the vegan cheese brand by Bio Dairy Free, has rolled out what it says is Australia’s first protein-rich cheese alternative.
Its new Cheddar Shred with Protein SKU contains 10g of pea protein per 100g, and is now available in Coles supermarkets and independent grocery stores nationwide.
“Plant-based and dairy-free shouldn’t mean settling for less,” said Vicky Pappas, CEO of My Co, the investment firm that owns Bio Dairy Free.
“We wanted to prove that with our Cheddar Shred with Protein. It’s the first of its kind in Australia, and we’re proud to be leading the way on nutrition as well as taste.”
BioCheese ‘getting close’ to price parity with dairy cheese
The BioCheese brand has been selling vegan cheese in Australia since 2014, and has an extensive range of alternatives, including Cheddar, parmesan, feta, halloumi, cream cheese, and more.
But the new product is its first foray into high-protein cheese, taking the base recipe of coconut oil, modified starch, and chicory root fibre and adding pea protein to the mix.
“Pea protein gave us the right balance of function and fit for the brand,” Pappas told Green Queen when asked why the company chose this source.
“It holds up well in a shredded, meltable format without compromising the taste and texture BioCheese is known for, and it fits our allergen-friendly positioning across the range.”
The product promises a “rich, savoury Cheddar flavour” and “smooth melt”, and can be added to salads, toasties, tacos, and other everyday dishes.
It’s retailing for A$9 ($6.41) per 200g pack, which is much steeper than a conventional Cheddar you can find at Coles. “For this product, specifically, the pricing sits in line with the balance of our convenience range,” said Pappas.
She added: “Closing the price gap with dairy Cheddar has been a real priority for us, and we’re working hard to bring our pricing to parity with dairy. We’re getting close.”
Launch of new cheese is about more than just protein
The launch of the protein-boosted vegan cheese comes amid a boom in demand for the macronutrient in Australia. Research shows that protein is the most important piece of on-pack nutritional information for the country’s citizens.
Protein is making gains due to its association with muscle recovery, strength and performance, sustained energy, and weight management. Half a million Australians use weight-loss drugs today – and while most meet daily protein requirements, GLP-1 users are at risk of falling short.
“Protein is a big part of it, but this launch is really about something broader for us: making sure dairy-free doesn’t mean settling for less when it comes to nutrition,” Pappas said when asked about the motivation behind BioCheese’s newest product.
According to Innova Market Insights, high-protein and high-fibre claims are witnessing a rise in demand from Australian consumers, with plant-based foods in particular seeing more functional health claims built around ingredients like protein.
“So it’s clearly front of mind for shoppers. But for us, this is one step in an ongoing push to lift the nutritional value of dairy-free food more generally, not just a single high-protein claim,” said Pappas.
The protein cheese follows the April rollout of Nothing Else, a D2C brand of clean-label protein isolate powders by Australian Plant Proteins, another business owned by My Co.