US: Danone acquires plant-based foodtech Earth Island

Califonian firm offers plant based cheeses, egg-free mayonnaise and the Follow Your Heart brand

Paris-headquartered food and beverage giant Danone is acquiring plant-based food company Earth Island, which produces the Follow Your Heart brands.

Founded in 1988 in Los Angeles, Earth Island offers dairy-free shredded and sliced plant-based cheese, grated and shredded plant-based parmesan and cream cheese alternatives, as well as an egg-free mayonnaise brand, Vegenaise. The company also produces plant-based sour cream, salad dressings and VeganEgg within its Follow Your Heart portfolio.

Bob Goldberg, co-founder and chief executive of Earth Island, said: “Our mission has always been to produce the best plant-based food products and to make them available to as many people as possible. We’re very pleased to be joining the Danone family of plant-based companies in a collective effort to bring positive change in the world through the creation of sustainably and responsibly-made foods.”

Shane Grant, executive vice-president and chief executive of Danone North America, added: “The Follow Your Heart family shares our commitment to producing high-quality products that delight consumers while contributing to the wellbeing of people and planet. Consumers are increasingly eating flexitarian diets, and we look forward to working with the Follow Your Heart team to offer our consumers even more choices. This partnership will build on our success in plant-based beverages, yogurt alternatives and creamers, further accelerating the growth of our North American plant-based business.”